Birth control choices and sexual health

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Glossary of terms

  1. Abstinence: not having sexual intercourse.
  2. Anal Intercourse: Sexual intercourse when the penis is inserted into the anus (rectum; bum).
  3. Anti-nausea medication: a medication that prevents nausea (throwing up).
  4. Barrier method: a device that separates sperm from the egg.
  5. Cervix: the opening of the uterus.
  6. Ejaculation: the release of semen. Referred to as when a man “cums.”
  7. Egg: a female reproductive cell.
  8. Erect: when the penis becomes hard.
  9. Estrogen: female sex hormone produced by the ovaries and regulates sexual function.
  10. Fallopian tubes: the tubes in the female, where the egg is fertilized by the sperm.
  11. Fertilization: when the sperm from a man joins the ovum (egg), from a woman.
  12. Genital: related to the male and female sexual organs.
  13. Hormonal method: a method of birth control that changes hormone (estrogen and progestin) levels in the female to prevent pregnancy.
  14. Mucus: thick, slick substance produced from the mucus membrane glands in the body.
  15. Natural family planning: a method of birth control used to tell which days of the month a woman is able to become pregnant.
  16. Oral Intercourse: mouth-togenital (penis, vagina or anus) contact between two people.
  17. Ovulation: release of the ovum from the ovary.
  18. Ovaries: female sex gland that produces sex hormones estrogen and progestin.
  19. Ovum: female reproductive cell. Also known as “egg.”
  20. Pap Smear: a test done on women to screen for cancer of the uterus and cervix.
  21. Penis: external male organ.
  22. Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID): PID is a progressive infection that causes harm to the women’s reproductive system and affects the fallopian tubes, uterus, and the ovaries. PID can lead to sterility, ectopic pregnancy (pregnancy that occurs in the fallopian tubes) and chronic pain. This is often a complication of gonorrhea or chlamydia.
  23. Progestin: female sex hormones produced by the ovaries and regulate sexual function.
  24. Semen: a milky fluid that is released during ejaculation and contains sperm.
  25. Sex hormones: secretions that regulate reproductive functions. In the male, the sex hormone is testosterone and is produced in the testes. In the female the sex hormones are estrogen and progestin and are produced by the ovaries.
  26. Sexual Intercourse: this usually means the penis is inserted into the vagina, but this could also be used to refer to other forms of intimate physical contact, such as oral-genital sex and penile-anal sex.
  27. Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs): a group of diseases that can be transmitted (passed on) from person-to person primarily through anal, oral, or genital sexual intercourse.
  28. Sperm: male reproductive cell.
  29. Spermicide: chemicals that kill sperm.
  30. Sterilization: a person (male or female) is not able to produce a child. Sterilization is a permanent method of birth control.
  31. Testicles: male sex glands, which produce the sex hormone testosterone.
  32. Testosterone: male sex hormones produced by the testis and regulates sexual functions.
  33. Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS): An infection caused by a bacteria called Staphylococcous Arueus and is characterized by a high fever, vomiting, diarrhea, low blood pressure and in severe cases shock and death. TSS mostly affects menstruating women who use tampons. Treatment is available.
  34. Uterus: the muscular organ in the female, also known as the womb.
  35. Vagina: The canal in the female from the external genitals to the cervix. It is approximately three inches in length.
  36. Vaginal Intercourse: penis is inserted into the vagina during sexual intercourse. Vaginal intercourse occurs between a woman and a man.

More information

  • If you have any questions, contact your health region office or your doctor.
  • For STI/HIV testing, you can go to a STI clinic or your doctor.
  • For confidential information about STIs or HIV, call the STD/AIDS Information Line at 1-800-772-2437.