Abstinence: Refraining from sexual intercourse and the sexual activity and intimate acts that typical lead up to it.

Addiction: The physiological or psychological dependence on a substance or practice.

Anal sex: A type of sex that involves the penetration of the anus, the opening through which solid matter is excreted from the body.

Bladder: The muscular sac that stores urine before it is periodically released through the urethra.

Cervical Crypts: Pockets of cells in the cervix, the lower part of the uterus, that secrete mucus.

Cervical Os: The external opening of the cervix, the lower part of the uterus, into the vagina.

Cervix: The narrow neck-like lower part of the uterus.

Chromosomes: The DNA structure in each cell that contains genes. Every human cell has 46 chromosomes, except for gametes (perm and egg cells) which have 23 each.

Coitus interruptus: When the penis is withdrawn from the vagina prior to ejaculation. The slang term for this is “withdrawal.” It is wrongly seen by some to be a form of contraception, but offers no protection against pregnancy or STI/STDs.

Egg: see “Ovum.”

Ejaculation: The forceful release of semen from the penis.

Endometrium: The inner lining of the uterus that sheds at menstruation.

Epididymus: The organ connected to the testis, consisting of tubules in which sperm mature and are stored.

Erection: When the penis is stimulated, blood vessels in the penis fill with blood, causing the organ to get larger and stand up (become “erect”). Ejaculation can follow.

Estrogen: The ovarian hormone that is responsible for feminine characteristics and certain processes of the menstrual cycle.

Fallopian Tubes: A pair of slender tubes attached to both sides of the uterus. After ovulation, the egg, or ovum, travels through the fallopian tube to the uterus.

Fertility: The ability to create new life.

Fertilization: The union of a sperm and egg. Also known as conception.

Gamete: The mature male or female germ cell: sperm or egg.

Gene: The basic unit of heredity within chromosomes, passed from parent to child.

Genitals: The reproduction organs.

Heredity: The transmission of characteristics from the parents to the child through genes.

Hormone: A “chemical messenger” secreted by the pituitary gland into the blood stream in order to stimulate other glands or parts of the body.

Hymen: The thin fold of tissue surrounding the opening of the vagina.

Mature: The complete development of the person including physical, emotional, intellectual, social and ethical characteristics.

Menarche: A girl’s first menstruation.

Menopause: The process in the female body when the reproductive system stops its preparations for pregnancy. Periods become irregular and then stop completely. Often this change is accompanied by other hormonal and physical changes.

Menstrual cycle: The reproductive cycle of a woman that begins with the first day of menstrual bleeding and ends the day before the next menstrual period.

Menstruation: The shedding of the endometrium normally occurring every 21-35 days. Also known as menses and menstrual period.

Oral sex: a type of sex that involves using the mouth to stimulate sexual organs.

Orgasm: The intense feeling of pleasure and release that is the result of sexual activity. Male orgasm is accompanied by ejaculation.

Ovary: The female reproductive gland which produces the ova, or eggs.

Ovum: Egg, or the female reproductive cell

Penis: The male organ which deposits sperm in the vagina during sexual intercourse or excretes urine from the bladder.

Pituitary gland: Located in the brain, this is the “master gland” of the body. It causes the release of hormones which begin puberty and control the menstrual cycle.

Scrotum: The external pouch enclosing the testes.

Secondary virginity: Deciding to remain abstinent until marriage, despite prior sexual activity.

Sexual intercourse: Also called vaginal intercourse, this is when the erect penis enters the vagina.

Sexually Transmitted Infection/Disease (STI/D): One of a group of over 30 different viruses and bacteria that are specifically contracted and spread through sexual contact including oral and anal sex.

Seminal Vesicle: One of two glands which secrete a portion of the seminal fluid.

Sperm: The male sex cell that is released through sexual activity and joins with an ovum (or egg) inside the female body to result in pregnancy.

Testis: The male sex gland in the scrotum in which sperm and testosterone are produced.

Urethra: The tube from the bladder to outside the body. In men, it transports both urine and semen, though not at the same time.

Uterus: The hollow organ, also known as the womb, in which the embryo implants and develops during pregnancy.

Vagina: The passageway from the uterus to the outside of the body.

Vas Deferens: One of two tubes in men which transport semen from the epididymus to the urethra.