Real Talk
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No more awkward Google searches or confusing medical jargon. Get clear, straightforward definitions of sexual and reproductive health terms.

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A-Z of sex word meaning

Sex Dictionary/ Glossary

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Find sexual and reproductive health terms by first letter

Definition & Facts

Search over 10,000 words relating to sexual and reproductive health terms

A

A Abstain (verb)

To choose not to have sex or any kind of sexual activity for now or...

Abstain (verb)

To choose not to have sex or any kind of sexual activity for now or...

Abstinence (noun)

The decision or practice of not engaging in sexual activity. It’s the only foolproof way...

Affection (noun)

Warm feelings of love, closeness, or tenderness; not always sexual.Real talk:

Afterbirth (noun)

The placenta and tissues that come out after childbirth.Real talk:

Aftercare (noun)

The emotional or physical check-in after sex or intimacy. Cuddling, talking, hydrating, or simply resting.Real...

AIDS — Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (noun)

A late stage of HIV infection that weakens the immune system, making the body vulnerable...

Anatomy (noun)

The physical structure of your body especially the reproductive organs. Knowing yours helps you understand...

Anus (noun)

The opening at the end of the digestive tract where stool leaves the body. It’s...

Arousal (noun)

The body’s response to sexual stimulation faster heartbeat, warmth, and sensitivity. Everyone experiences it differently.Real...

Arouse (verb)

To awaken sexual feelings or excitement in yourself or someone else. It can start in...

Assault (noun)

Any unwanted sexual contact or activity forced on someone without their consent.Real talk:

At-Home Test (noun)

A self-test kit used privately for things like HIV or pregnancy.Real talk:

At-Risk (adjective)

A term used when someone’s more likely to contract an STI or face sexual health...

Attract (verb)

To draw someone’s interest physically, emotionally, or romantically. Attraction is complex and personal.Real talk:

Attraction (noun)

The pull you feel toward someone. It could be sexual, romantic, or even just aesthetic.Real...

B

Bacteria (noun)

Tiny living organisms. Some good, some bad. Healthy bacteria in the vagina help keep infections...

Barrier method (noun)

A type of contraception that prevents sperm from reaching the egg like condoms or dental...

BDSM (noun)

An umbrella term for Bondage, Discipline, Dominance, Submission, Sadism, and Masochism. They are forms of...

Birth Control (noun)

Any method used to prevent pregnancy. From condoms and pills to IUDs and implants.Real talk:

Bisexual (adjective)

Someone who’s attracted to more than one gender. Attraction can be fluid and personal.Real talk:

Bladder (noun)

The organ that stores urine before it leaves your body.Real talk:

Bleeding (noun)

When blood flows from the vagina during your period or other causes. Sometimes normal, sometimes...

Body autonomy (noun)

The right to make choices about your own body without pressure or judgment.Real talk:

Body Image (noun)

How you see and feel about your body. Influenced by society, culture, and your own...

Bond (verb)

To connect emotionally or physically with someone.Real talk:

Bondage (noun)

A sexual practice involving restraint for pleasure. Always consensual and based on trust.Real talk:

Boundaries (noun)

The personal limits that protect your comfort in relationships or intimacy.Real talk:

Breakthrough Bleeding (noun)

Light bleeding between periods, often caused by birth control or hormonal changes.Real talk:

Breasts (noun)

The soft tissue on the chest that can grow during puberty. They’re sensitive and come...

Broaden (verb)

To expand your understanding or perspective. Broadening (noun) The process of learning beyond what you...

By Choice (phrase)

A term that means your decision, your pace whether it’s about sex, love, or lifestyle.Real...

C

C Cervix (noun)

The small, strong opening between the uterus and the vagina. It opens during childbirth and...

Clitoris (noun)

A small, sensitive organ at the top of the vulva, designed purely for pleasure. It...

Communication (noun)

The open sharing of feelings, needs, and boundaries between partners.Real talk:

Conceive (verb)

To become pregnant when an egg and sperm join. Conception (noun) The process of pregnancy...

Condom (noun)

A thin covering worn over the penis or inserted in the vagina during sex to...

Consent (noun)

A clear, enthusiastic “yes” to any sexual activity freely given and changeable at any time.Real...

Contraception (noun)

Any method used to prevent pregnancy; condoms, pills, patches, IUDs, and more.Real talk:

Contraceptive (Adjective)

A device or preparation (such as an IUD or birth control pill) that typically contains...

D

D Desire (noun)

A deep feeling of wanting intimacy or connectio. Physical or emotional.Real talk:

Discharge (noun)

Fluid that naturally comes out of the vagina to clean and protect it.Real talk:

Douche (verb)

To wash or flush out the vagina.Real talk:

Dryness (noun)

When the vagina doesn’t produce enough moisture, often due to hormones, medication, or stress.Real talk:

Dynamics (noun)

The power or emotional balance between people in a relationship.Real talk:

Dysmenorrhea (noun)

Painful menstrual cramps.Real talk:

Dyspareunia (noun)

Painful sex. It can be physical or emotional.Real talk:

E

E Ejaculate (verb)

To release semen from the penis, often during orgasm. Ejaculation (noun) That release itself.Real talk:

Embarrassment (noun)

That awkward feeling when talking about your body or sex.Real talk:

Emotion (noun)

A feeling like happiness, sadness, anger, or love.Real talk:

Empower (verb)

To give yourself or others the confidence to make choices and take control.Real talk:

Endometrium (noun)

The lining inside the uterus that thickens each month and sheds during your period.Real talk:

Erection (noun)

When the penis fills with blood and becomes firm, often due to arousal.Real talk:

Erogenous zones (noun)

Body parts that are sensitive to touch like the neck, lips, or thighs.Real talk:

Estrogen (noun)

A hormone responsible for female puberty, mood, and menstrual health.Real talk:

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Encyclopedia

A

A Abstain (verb)

To choose not to have sex or any kind of sexual activity for now or...

Abstain (verb)

To choose not to have sex or any kind of sexual activity for now or...

Abstinence (noun)

The decision or practice of not engaging in sexual activity. It’s the only foolproof way...

Affection (noun)

Warm feelings of love, closeness, or tenderness; not always sexual.Real talk:

Afterbirth (noun)

The placenta and tissues that come out after childbirth.Real talk:

Aftercare (noun)

The emotional or physical check-in after sex or intimacy. Cuddling, talking, hydrating, or simply resting.Real...

AIDS — Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (noun)

A late stage of HIV infection that weakens the immune system, making the body vulnerable...

Anatomy (noun)

The physical structure of your body especially the reproductive organs. Knowing yours helps you understand...

Anus (noun)

The opening at the end of the digestive tract where stool leaves the body. It’s...

Arousal (noun)

The body’s response to sexual stimulation faster heartbeat, warmth, and sensitivity. Everyone experiences it differently.Real...

Arouse (verb)

To awaken sexual feelings or excitement in yourself or someone else. It can start in...

Assault (noun)

Any unwanted sexual contact or activity forced on someone without their consent.Real talk:

At-Home Test (noun)

A self-test kit used privately for things like HIV or pregnancy.Real talk:

At-Risk (adjective)

A term used when someone’s more likely to contract an STI or face sexual health...

Attract (verb)

To draw someone’s interest physically, emotionally, or romantically. Attraction is complex and personal.Real talk:

Attraction (noun)

The pull you feel toward someone. It could be sexual, romantic, or even just aesthetic.Real...

B

Bacteria (noun)

Tiny living organisms. Some good, some bad. Healthy bacteria in the vagina help keep infections...

Barrier method (noun)

A type of contraception that prevents sperm from reaching the egg like condoms or dental...

BDSM (noun)

An umbrella term for Bondage, Discipline, Dominance, Submission, Sadism, and Masochism. They are forms of...

Birth Control (noun)

Any method used to prevent pregnancy. From condoms and pills to IUDs and implants.Real talk:

Bisexual (adjective)

Someone who’s attracted to more than one gender. Attraction can be fluid and personal.Real talk:

Bladder (noun)

The organ that stores urine before it leaves your body.Real talk:

Bleeding (noun)

When blood flows from the vagina during your period or other causes. Sometimes normal, sometimes...

Body autonomy (noun)

The right to make choices about your own body without pressure or judgment.Real talk:

Body Image (noun)

How you see and feel about your body. Influenced by society, culture, and your own...

Bond (verb)

To connect emotionally or physically with someone.Real talk:

Bondage (noun)

A sexual practice involving restraint for pleasure. Always consensual and based on trust.Real talk:

Boundaries (noun)

The personal limits that protect your comfort in relationships or intimacy.Real talk:

Breakthrough Bleeding (noun)

Light bleeding between periods, often caused by birth control or hormonal changes.Real talk:

Breasts (noun)

The soft tissue on the chest that can grow during puberty. They’re sensitive and come...

Broaden (verb)

To expand your understanding or perspective. Broadening (noun) The process of learning beyond what you...

By Choice (phrase)

A term that means your decision, your pace whether it’s about sex, love, or lifestyle.Real...

C

C Cervix (noun)

The small, strong opening between the uterus and the vagina. It opens during childbirth and...

Clitoris (noun)

A small, sensitive organ at the top of the vulva, designed purely for pleasure. It...

Communication (noun)

The open sharing of feelings, needs, and boundaries between partners.Real talk:

Conceive (verb)

To become pregnant when an egg and sperm join. Conception (noun) The process of pregnancy...

Condom (noun)

A thin covering worn over the penis or inserted in the vagina during sex to...

Consent (noun)

A clear, enthusiastic “yes” to any sexual activity freely given and changeable at any time.Real...

Contraception (noun)

Any method used to prevent pregnancy; condoms, pills, patches, IUDs, and more.Real talk:

Contraceptive (Adjective)

A device or preparation (such as an IUD or birth control pill) that typically contains...

D

D Desire (noun)

A deep feeling of wanting intimacy or connectio. Physical or emotional.Real talk:

Discharge (noun)

Fluid that naturally comes out of the vagina to clean and protect it.Real talk:

Douche (verb)

To wash or flush out the vagina.Real talk:

Dryness (noun)

When the vagina doesn’t produce enough moisture, often due to hormones, medication, or stress.Real talk:

Dynamics (noun)

The power or emotional balance between people in a relationship.Real talk:

Dysmenorrhea (noun)

Painful menstrual cramps.Real talk:

Dyspareunia (noun)

Painful sex. It can be physical or emotional.Real talk:

E

E Ejaculate (verb)

To release semen from the penis, often during orgasm. Ejaculation (noun) That release itself.Real talk:

Embarrassment (noun)

That awkward feeling when talking about your body or sex.Real talk:

Emotion (noun)

A feeling like happiness, sadness, anger, or love.Real talk:

Empower (verb)

To give yourself or others the confidence to make choices and take control.Real talk:

Endometrium (noun)

The lining inside the uterus that thickens each month and sheds during your period.Real talk:

Erection (noun)

When the penis fills with blood and becomes firm, often due to arousal.Real talk:

Erogenous zones (noun)

Body parts that are sensitive to touch like the neck, lips, or thighs.Real talk:

Estrogen (noun)

A hormone responsible for female puberty, mood, and menstrual health.Real talk:

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Frequently Asked Questions

Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights

  • Where can I access confidential sexual health services?

    Many clinics, hospitals, and NGOs offer confidential services. Look for youth-friendly or community health centers. 

  • What are my rights when accessing sexual and reproductive healthcare?

    You have the right to privacy, confidentiality, non-discrimination, and informed decision-making. 

  • What does sexual consent mean?

    Consent is a clear, enthusiastic, and ongoing agreement to engage in sexual activity. It must be freely given and can be withdrawn at any time. 

  • Can I get pregnant while on my period or using contraception?

    Yes, though the chances are lower. No method is 100% effective except abstinence. 

  • How effective is emergency contraception and when should I use it?

    Most effective within 72 hours of unprotected sex, though some types work up to 5 days after. 

  • What types of contraception are available?

    Options include condoms, birth control pills, IUDs, implants, injections, patches, and emergency contraception. 

  • What are my options if I have an unplanned pregnancy?

    Options include parenting, adoption, or abortion. Access depends on local laws and personal circumstances. 

  • What are the early signs of pregnancy?

    Missed period, nausea, breast tenderness, fatigue, and frequent urination are common early signs. 

  • Are STIs curable?

    Some, like chlamydia and gonorrhea, are curable with antibiotics. Others, like HIV and herpes, are manageable but not curable. 

  • How often should I get tested for STIs?

    At least once a year if sexually active, or more frequently if you have multiple partners or symptoms. 

  • Can I get an STI from oral or anal sex?

    Yes. STIs can be transmitted through all types of sexual contact, including oral and anal sex. 

  • How can I protect myself from STIs?

    Use condoms consistently, get tested regularly, limit sexual partners, and communicate openly with partners. 

  • What is sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR)?

    SRHR refers to the right of all individuals to make informed decisions about their sexual and reproductive lives, including access to healthcare, education, and freedom from discrimination or coercion. 

  • Why is comprehensive sexuality education important?

    It empowers people with knowledge about their bodies, relationships, consent, and health, helping them make informed and safe choices. 

  • What are the most common STIs and their symptoms?

    Common STIs include chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, HPV, herpes, HIV, and trichomoniasis. Symptoms vary but may include unusual discharge, sores, itching, or no symptoms at all.