P

 

Pads

see sanitary pads and menstruation.

PENIS

part of the male's genitals. Also use to pass urine (pee). Most of the time the penis is soft and hangs down. When sexually excited blood flows into the penis and it becomes erect and hard. This is called an erection. After orgasm when a small amount of semen spurts out of the end of the penis, it returns to it's usual size. If you notice an unusual discharge from the end of your penis this could be a sign of an infection and you should see your doctor or someone at an FPA Centre or Sexual Health Centre.

See menstruation

The Pill

the contraceptive pill. (See: Be safe: Contraception , and Contraceptives: information about different types).

slang for a female losing her virginity or breaking her hymen

Books, magazines, videos etc. showing people in sexual ways that are made to be sexually exciting. Many people believe pornography is harmful because it exploits people.

the time, about 9 months, during which a woman has a baby developing and growing inside her.

Pregnancy test

a test to see if you are pregnant or not. You can arrange to have a test through your doctor or a FPA Centre. A pregnancy test is not usually accurate until about 2 - 3 weeks after sexual intercourse.

Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)

a girl or woman may experience mood swings, headaches, sore breasts, depression and/or anxiety about a week before her period is due. These feelings usually go away after her period has started, but may come back again before the next one starts. If you have PMS that is affecting your life badly, you should see your doctor or a FPA Centre.

Progesterone

one of the female sex hormones.

a person who has sex in return for money, also called a "sex worker".

Puberty

the time of life when your body and your feelings and emotions change as you change from being a girl to being a woman, or from being a boy to being a man. Puberty is caused by hormones and is a natural part of growing up. Everyone goes through it, although some reach puberty at an earlier age than others. After puberty you are physically and sexually mature.

the hair which grows around your genitals after reaching puberty, sometimes called pubes.

Puss / pussy

a vagina

a word used to describe a lesbian or homosexual, sometimes used as a putdown.

sometimes used to mean someone who is feeling sexy or keen to have sex.

RAPE

when one person forces another person to have sexual intercourse when they don't want to. Rape is a crime and can be very frightening for the person being raped. Most rapists know their victims, but sometimes they are strangers. If you are raped, tell a friend or someone you trust as soon as possible. You can ring Rape Crisis for help and support. See The Word Help Page or Abuse is Never OK.

reducing the risk of passing on Sexually Transmissable Infections (STIs) or having an unplanned pregnancy when having vaginal contact. It means using a condom every time you have vaginal or anal intercourse. It can also mean other sexual activities eg. stroking, massaging, mutual masturbation, and knowing your limit if you are drinking or taking drugs.

a pad made of cotton which a woman or girl can use to absorb the menstrual blood during her period. It should be changed every 3 -- 4 hours.

Scrotum

part of the male genitals. The sac that contains the testes (balls). The testes cannot produce sperm at normal body heat, so the scrotum hangs outside the body to keep the testes cool. If the outside temperature gets too cold, then the body draws the testes up towards the body for warmth.

Semen

a milky liquid made up of sperm and seminal fluid which comes out of the end of the penis at ejaculation .

Sexual Abuse

when a person makes someone do something sexual against their will. See Incest, and abuse is never OK.

Sexual Intercourse

fuck, screw, bonk, go all the way, go to bed with, have sex with, root. See What Happens.

SEXUALITY

is more than just sex. It involves who we are as women and men, our feelings about our sexuality and how we express those feelings.

Sperm

these are very small male sex cells. Under a microscope they look like tadpoles . When a man ejaculates about 400 million sperm are released. They are made in the testicles once a young man has reached puberty. During unprotected sexual intercourse sperm can swim through the cervix into the fallopian tubes where fertilisation can happen.

Sexually Transmissible Infections. Sometimes called STDs or Sexually Transmitted Diseases. A term for any infection which you can get by having unprotected or unsafe sexual contact with an infected person. For more information go to Be Safe or Need Help Now.

Straight

another word for heterosexual.

Substances

any "drug" used to alter a persons mood or perception (how they feel or how they experience things), eg. alcohol, marijuana, solvents, heroin.

are made of tightly packed cotton. A girl or woman can put one into her vagina to absorb the blood when she has a period. Tampons should be changed every 3-4 hours. Read the instructions carefully on the packet the first time you use tampons.

Testosterone

the male sex hormone which is produced by the testes.

TESTICLES

testes, nuts, balls. Part of the genitals of males. The testicles are held in the scrotum. Sperm are made inside the testicles. After a man has ejaculated the testicles make new sperm (see Male Anatomy).

Thrush

is an infection that can cause itching around a woman's vulva or a man's penis and can create a discharge. If you think you may have thrush, your doctor or chemist can give you a cream to stop the itching and clear up the infection.

a person who likes wearing clothes of the opposite sex, sometimes called a cross dresser.

sexual intercourse between two people who aren't using a condom or any other method of pregnancy or infection protection. If this has happened see Need Help Now.

Urethra

a thin tube which carries urine from the bladder to the urinary opening. In girls and women it leads to a hole just in front of the vaginal opening. In boys and men it runs down the middle of the penis to a hole at the tip.

Uterus

The part of the female reproductive system where a baby grows after a woman has become pregnant. Every month, if a woman doesn't get pregnant, the wall of the uterus breaks down and is shed as her menstrual period (see menstruation).

part of the female genitals. The vagina connects a woman's uterus to the outside of her body (see Female Anatomy). When a girl or woman becomes sexually aroused the vagina becomes wet or lubricated. The skin inside the vagina is very soft and elastic so that if something goes into the vagina such as a tampon, a finger, or a man's penis during sexual intercourse, the soft folds of skin stretch to let it in. In childbirth the vagina has to stretch a lot to allow the baby out of the mother's body.

Vas deferens

these are two tubes, one coming out of each testicle which join the urethra as it leaves the bladder.When a man ejaculates sperm are squeezed through these tubes and out the end of his penis.

Virgin

A virgin can be a male or a female, and is someone who has not had sexual intercourse.

Vulva

twat, fanny, pussy. Another word for the female genitals (see Female Anatomy). Many girls feel unsure about looking at or touching their vulva. By using a mirror you can learn what you look like, and will notice if anything goes wrong. Becoming familiar with your body can help you understand it, and help you feel more confident.

another word for masturbate.

Wet Dream

when a man or boy ejaculates in his sleep. "Wet dreams" are a sign that reproductive organs are developing. They can happen quite often during puberty. Girls and women can come/have an orgasm in their sleep too. But don't worry if you don't have them, that's normal too.

Withdrawal

when the man takes his penis out of the woman's vagina before he ejaculates. Sometimes used as a form of contraception -- but it's not a reliable method because sperm can leak into the woman's vagina at any point during sex. The man may also not be able to stop himself from ejaculating while his penis is still inside the woman's vagina.

Womb

 another word for uterus.

 spots, see Acne.