Glossary of terms

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Rape — Using force or threat of force to engage in sexual intercourse with another person.  It is illegal, even if you know the person. 

Reproduction — Process involved in making a baby.

Reproductive Organs — Parts of the body that help make babies.

Rhythm Method — The rhythm method is a form of birth control that calculates when a woman is infertile during her monthly cycle so that she can abstain from sex during this period of time. Those who want to have a baby can also use this method to have sex during the time that they are most likely to get pregnant. The effectiveness rates for teens are very low since young women's cycles are not yet regular, so each month her fertility cycle may vary up to 7 days. Also called natural family planning, periodic abstinence, or fertility awareness.

Ring (NuvaRing) — A soft, flexible and transparent ring that prevents pregnancy when inserted in the back of the vagina by releasing a combination or hormones progestin and estrogen.

Risk — Taking a chance.

Saliva — Fluid in a person’s mouth-spit.

Sanitary Napkin — A pad of cotton with tape on the back that a woman can stick to her underwear during her period to soak up the blood that is released from her vagina.

Scabies — A sexually transmitted infection that is caused by a mite (kind of insect) that burrows under the skin causing intense itching and the formation of pus.  Scabies can be cured by using medicated shampoo and body wash such as Kwell, which can be purchased at a drug store.

Scrotum — A soft sac of wrinkled skin that covers, holds, and protects a man’s testicles.

Semen — A clear/whitish liquid containing sperm that comes out of a man’s penis when he ejaculates.

Sexual Abuse — Sexual touching or behaviors that are unwanted.  It is illegal even if you know the person. 

Sexual Assault — Using force or threat of force to engage in a sexual behavior with activity person. It is illegal, even if you know the person.

Sexual Contact — Being with someone in a close, physical way.

Sexual Intercourse — Any type of activity that involves the sharing of body fluids or the penetration of the mouth, vagina, or anus between 2 or more people. Includes vaginal, oral or anal sex.

Sexuality — Everything that makes a person a sexual and attractive human. Includes gender, sexual desires, feelings, and contact.

Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD) — An infection passed from one person to another through sexual contact.

Smegma — A smelly, white, cheesy substance that accumulates around the genitals of both males and females. 

Sore — An opening in the body that germs could get into.

Speculum — A plastic or metal device that is used to hold the walls of the vagina open during a pelvic exam or other medical procedure so that the cervix can be seen.

Sperm — The male reproductive cells that are found in semen and produced in a man’s testicles.

Spermicide — A chemical that kills sperm. The most common spermicide is nonoxynol-9.  It comes in a variety of forms including gel, cream, foam, suppositories and film which can be purchased in most drug or grocery stores without a prescription.  Typically, it is used in conjuction with another method like a diaphragm or condoms.  You can also purchase condoms lubricated with spermicide. 

Sponge — A birth control device inserted into the vagina before sex to kill sperm and prevent pregnancy.

Sterilization — A permanent type of contraception.

Symptoms — A sign or signal of a disease.

Syndrome — A group of illnesses and diseases.

Syphilis — A sexually transmitted infection caused by bacteria and results in chancres or painless sores in the genital area; can be cured by antibiotics.