Glossary

HAND JOB

A term used to describe someone stimulating a guy's penis with their hand.  The penis is usually rubbed or stroked with a rhythmic motion, like when a guy masturbates himself.  A handjob can be given naked or through clothes, sitting down or standing up - whatever's comfortable.

Having sex

To be physically sexual with another person eg oral sex, mutual masturbation, anal sex, sometimes used to mean sexual intercourse.

HERPES

a sexually transmitted disease, sometimes called genital herpes. The same virus that causes cold sores around your mouth.

Heterosexism

the belief that everyone is heterosexual, and that heterosexual behaviour is more highly valued than homosexual behaviour. 

Heterosexual

a person who has sexual feelings towards the opposite sex.

HIV

Human immunodeficiency virus. This is the virus that can cause AIDS. It can be found in body fluids (blood, semen, vaginal fluid and breast milk). HIV can be contracted by having vaginal or anal intercourse with an infected person without using a condom, or by sharing needles and other equipment for injecting drugs with an infected person. If you are worried about HIV or AIDS you can contact an FPA Centre, Sexual Health Centre, NZ AIDS Foundation, or talk to a doctor.

Homosexual

a person who is sexually attracted to someone of the same sex. The word is most often used to describe a man who is attracted to men. The term most commonly used for women who are attracted to other women is Lesbian.

Hormones

Hormones are natural chemicals that affect different parts of your body. They travel around your body in your blood. The sex hormones control your growth and sexual development. The main female hormones are called oestrogen and progesterone, the male hormone is called testosterone. At puberty the body starts to change as these hormones are made. The changes start earlier for some people than others, so that some girls will develop breasts, grow pubic hair and start menstruating (having their periods). Some young men will find that their voice grows deeper, they experience erections and have wet dreams. Every person is different - there is no right or wrong time for the changes to happen.

Horny

a word used to mean being sexually aroused and wanting to have sex.

Hymen

the thin piece of skin just inside the vaginal opening in girls and women.

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Impotence

sometimes a man cannot get or keep an erection or ejaculate. This can be the result of a physical problem, or it might be caused by anxiety, stress or alcohol/drugs. It is very common, but if you are concerned about it consult your doctor or FPA Centre.

INCEST

means people in the same family having sex. This could also mean extended family or step parents. If someone in your family is making you do sexual things with them, it is important you talk to someone about it, so that people can help. (Read Abuse is never OK ).

Infertile

people who are unable to have a baby are described as infertile. A man may be producing sperm that are not healthy enough to fertilise an egg, or a woman may not be producing an egg each month, or the tubes that sperm and eggs travel down can be blocked or damaged. This is often caused by genital infections (STIs) so it is important for people to have STI checks if they are sexually active.

IUD

Intra-uterine device-- a form of contraception. (See: Be safe: Contraception , and Contraceptives: information about different types)

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Labia

Part of a girl's or woman's genitalia, also called lips. (See Angles on Anatomy: female anatomy)

Lesbian

a woman who is sexually attracted to another woman. Another word for gay.

a water based jelly (also called lube) that is used during vaginal or anal intercourse, with or without condoms, to reduce friction and increase pleasure.  Use water-based lubricants, like KY jelly, Wet Stuff, Sylke and Topgel. Water-based lubricants are available from your pharmacy and some supermarkets.

Lusty

another term for horny.

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Masturbation

Self pleasure, playing with yourself, wanking. Sexual excitement and pleasure caused by rubbing the sexual parts of your own body.

Mutual masturbation

When two people excite each other sexually by stimulating each other's genitals by hand.

Menstruation

also called a period. The menstrual cycle is the monthly process of shedding the lining of the uterus, and it happens when an egg (ovum) has not been fertilised by a sperm. Bleeding can be quite light or heavy, and either pads or tampons can be used to soak up the blood. Periods usually start sometime between 9 and 16. For some young women the first periods may be quite irregular. It is possible to become pregnant during a period if a woman has unprotected sexual intercourse, and contraception should always be used if pregnancy is not planned.

Morning After Pill

see ECP, Emergency Contraceptive Pill. If you think you might need this pill, go to Need Help Now.

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Oestrogen

A female sex hormone produced by the ovaries.

Oral contraceptive

the contraceptive pill.

Oral Sex

this term is used for giving pleasure by kissing, sucking, or licking your partner's genitals. When a woman has her genitals licked, kissed or sucked it is called cunnilingus. When a man has his penis kissed, licked, or sucked it is called fellatio. Some STIs can be passed on by unprotected oral sex. If someone has a cold sore on their mouth when they have oral sex with another person, they can give their partner the herpes virus.

Orgasm

the climax of sexual excitement.

a term used to describe feeling emotionally and mentally different from when someone is sober. People who use a small amount of a substance may describe themselves as "buzzing" or "feeling relaxed" or "laid back". People who go beyond their limit are unable to control themselves and may be described as "wasted."

Ovary

where eggs are stored in the female's reproductive system. (See Angles on Anatomy: female anatomy)

OVERDOSE

when someone has taken a quantity of a substance that endangers his/her life. If someone has died as a result of an excessive use of a substance, it is described as an overdose.

Ovulation

when a mature ovum (or egg) is released by the ovary.

Ovum

this is the female sex cell. Girls are born with about 400,000 of them in their ovaries. When a girl reaches puberty one ovum is released each month . The ovum travels down the fallopian tube and if unprotected sexual intercourse has occurred it may be fertilised by a sperm. Often called an egg.