Glossary of Terms

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Amenorrhea
The absence of menstrual periods.

Birth Control
Prevention of pregnancy.

Cervix
The opening of the uterus at the top of the vagina.

Clitoris
An organ that is located near the opening to the vagina and is a source of female sexual excitement.

Condom
A thin sheath used to cover the penis during sex to prevent sexually transmitted diseases and pregnancy.

Emergency Contraception
Methods that are used to prevent pregnancy after a woman has had sex without birth control or after the method she used has failed. Emergency contraception methods include progestin-only pills, ulipristal, birth control pills taken in specific amounts, or a copper intrauterine device. The pills must be taken within 120 hours to reduce the risk of pregnancy.

Fallopian Tubes
Tubes through which an egg travels from the ovary to the uterus.

Genitals
The sexual or reproductive organs.

Hormones
Substances produced by the body to control the functions of various organs.

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)
A virus that attacks certain cells of the body's immune system and causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).

Intrauterine Device
A small device that is inserted and left inside the uterus to prevent pregnancy.

Menstrual Period
The discharge of blood and tissue from the uterus that occurs when an egg is not fertilized (also called menstruation).

Menstruation
The blood and tissue that comes from the uterus each month when an egg is not fertilized (also called your period).

Obstetrician-gynecologist (ob-gyn)
A physician with special skills, training, and education in women's health.

Orgasm
The climax of sexual excitement.

Ovaries
Two glands, located on either side of the uterus, that contain the eggs released at ovulation and produce hormones.

Ovulate
When an egg is released from one of the ovaries.

Pap Test
A test in which cells are taken from the cervix and vagina and examined under a microscope.

Penis
An external male sex organ.

Pelvic Exam
A physical examination of a woman's reproductive organs.

Puberty
The stage of life when the reproductive organs become functional and secondary sex characteristics develop.

Semen
The fluid made by male sex glands that contains sperm.

Sexual Intercourse
The act of the penis entering the vagina (also called "having sex" or "making love").

Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD)
A disease that is spread by sexual contact, including chlamydia, gonorrhea, human papillomavirus infection, herpes, syphilis, and infection with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV, the cause of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome [AIDS]).

Speculum
An instrument used to hold open the walls of the vagina in order to perform Pap tests and tests for sexually transmitted diseases.

Sperm
A male cell that is produced in the testes and can fertilize a female egg cell.

Testes
Two male organs that produce the sperm and male sex hormones.

Uterus
A muscular organ located in the female pelvis that contains and nourishes the developing fetus during pregnancy.

Vagina
A tube-like structure surrounded by muscles leading from the uterus to the outside of the body.

Vulva
The external female genital area on the outside of the body.