Sexual and Reproductive Health Glossary
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Printable version of the entire Sexual and Reproductive Health Glossary (31 pages, PDF)
C
Caesarean Section: A surgical incision through the abdominal wall and uterus, performed to deliver a fetus. [From the traditional belief that Julius Caesar (or his eponymous ancestor) was born by this operation.]12
Calendar method: (sometimes called the rhythm method) A method of contraception or body awareness which uses records of previous menstrual cycles to predict the fertile period. The first fertile day is calculated by subtracting 18 days from the first day of menstruation of the shortest menstrual cycle; the last fertile day is calculated by subtracting 11 days from the longest cycle.1
Carcinoma in Situ: Cancer cells which are restricted to a very local area. The abnormal cells are evident throughout each of the layers of epithelium but they have not extended into other tissue or surrounding areas.13
Castration: The removal of the gonads (the testes in men and ovaries in women).7
Cervical Cap: A soft, deep rubber cup which fits snugly around the base of the cervix to prevent pregnancy during intercourse.2
Cervical Mucous: Fluid produced by the cervix; it changes in amount and consistency at different times of the menstrual cycle. Around the time of ovulation it is clear and slippery.11
Cervix: The lower part of the uterus, which is like a door way between the uterus and vagina.7
Chlamydia Trachomatis: An STI cause by bacteria.
CVS (Chorionic Villus Sampling): A technique for early detection of birth defects in the fetus.7
Circumcision: Surgical removal of the foreskin of the penis.7
Clitoridectomy: (Sometimes called female genital cutting, circumcision or mutilation.) A traditional practice that involves cutting away parts of the female external genitalia, or other injury to the female genitals, for cultural or other non-therapeutic reasons. It renders intercourse and childbirth painful and potentially hazardous. It is usually carried out by traditional practitioners under unhygienic conditions. The World Health Organization has classified female genital cutting into four main groupings: Type I clitoridectomy involves the removal of the prepuce (clitoral hood), sometimes together with part of or the entire clitoris. This is what is commonly referred to as 'Sunna circumcision'. Type II involves excision, where both the clitoris and part or all of the labia minora (inner vaginal lips) are removed. Type III (infibulation) is where the clitoris is removed, some or all of the labia minora are amputated and incisions are made on the labia majora (outer lips) to create a raw surface. These raw surfaces are either stitched together and/or kept in contact until they seal as a 'hood of skin' covering the urethra and most of the vaginal opening. A small opening is created to allow the flow of urine and menstrual blood. Type IV is an unclassified category that includes other operations on the external genitalia including introcision, piercing or incising the clitoris and/or labia, cauterization, scraping and/or cutting of the vagina, introduction of corrosive substances and herbs into the vagina and similar practices.1 Practiced in African, Asian, Middle-Eastern cultures, it is illegal in Canada.11
Clitoris: A small, highly sensitive sexual organ in the female, found in the front of the vaginal entrance.7 A sensitive, pea-sized organ that is right above the urethra. The clitoris gets a bit bigger and more sensitive when it is touched or when a girl has sexual thoughts or feelings. The clitoris plays an important part in sexual arousal and orgasm.15
Cock Ring: a ring that is placed around a man's penis, or penis and scrotum, usually at the base, primarily to slow the flow of blood from the erect penile tissue, thus maintaining erection for longer.
Coitus Interruptus: The male withdraws his penis just before ejaculating. Also called ‘withdrawal’ or ‘pulling out’.
Colostrum: A watery substance that is secreted from the breast at the end of pregnancy and during the first few days after delivery.7
Colposcopy: Examination of (usually) the cervix through a colposcope, an instrument that is placed at the front of the vagina without touching the body and which can magnify the image of the cervix.13 A dilute solution of acetic acid is applied to the region which causes abnormal areas to normally turn white, making them easier to identify.14
Columnar Cells: Column shaped cells that line the cervical canal. They have only one layer and are involved in the glandular activity of the cervix. Where they meet the squamous type cells is called the squamo-columnar junction.13
Coming Out: This is a term used to describe the process by which an individual reveals that s/he is lesbian, gay, or bisexual. The beginning of this process is acceptance of oneself. Following this, openness may occur with family, friends, co-workers, etc. This is a life-long process for lesbian, gay and bisexual people.
Condom: A sheath of thin material (usually latex, but also made of polyurethane, a non-latex product for those who are allergic to latex) that covers either the male’s penis (male condom) or the female’s vagina and cervix (female condom) to help prevent conception and/or transmission of infection during intercourse.
Cone Biopsy: The removal, under general anaesthetic, of a cone shaped section of the cervix so that the tissue can be examined in a laboratory. The same procedure is used as a treatment in some cases.13
Contraceptive effectiveness: percentage of women avoiding an unintended pregnancy with a specific method of contraception. Of 100 couples using the male condom consistently and correctly over one year, the percentage which experience an accidental pregnancy is 3. So the contraceptive effectiveness is 97% and the failure rate is 3%.
Corona: The rim of tissue between the glans and the shaft of the penis.7
Corpora Cavernosa: Spongy bodies running the length of the top of the penis.7
Corpus Luteum: the mass of cells of the follicle remaining after ovulation; it secretes progesterone.7
Corpus Spongiosum: A spongy body running the length of the underside of the penis.7
Counselling: A process of communication by which a person is helped to identify her or his sexual and reproductive health needs to make the most appropriate decisions about how to meet them. Counselling is characterized by an exchange of information and ideas, discussion and deliberation free of bias, coercion, violence, inaccurate information, and judgment, in a safe, confidential space, which is respectful, accessible and private.1
Cowper’s gland: Glands that secrete substances into the male’s urethra.7
Cross-dresser: Someone who on occasion wears what is currently considered the clothes of the other sex to relieve gender discomfort. Cross-dressers want to appear as convincing as possible as their other selves. A large subset of this group are men who enjoy dressing as women, and have otherwise ordinary marriages with wives who are not transgendered. Many say this term is preferable to transvestite, which means the same thing.10
Cunnilingus: the act or practice of orally stimulating the female genitals.12
Cyst: A sac or cavity of abnormal character containing fluid, which may occur in the ovaries.11
Cystitis: An inflammation of the urinary bladder, often caused by infection and usually accompanied by frequent and painful urination.11
D
Dental Dam: see oral dam
Depo Provera: A long-acting, synthetic progesterone injection used as a birth control method.
Diaphragm: A dome-shaped rubber cup with a flexible rim which covers the cervix during intercourse to reduce the chance of pregnancy.2
Digital Sex: The insertion of a digit (finger or toe) into an orifice (usually vagina or anus) of another.
Dildo: An object having the shape and often the appearance of an erect penis, used in sexual stimulation.12
Discharge: the term for any substance that is released from anywhere on the body.15
Docking: a slang term for when an uncircumcised male places his foreskin over the end of a circumcised male’s penis.
Douching: Rinsing the vagina with water, water and vinegar, or a medicated solution. Health care providers do not recommend this practice as it often causes irritation.11
Dual protection: Dual protection is protection against both unintended pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections, including HIV. For sexually active individuals, a latex or polyurethane condom is the only device that is effective for dual protection. Dual protection can also be achieved by using condoms with another method of contraception, referred to as dual method or double protection.1
Dysmenorrhea: painful menstruation.7
Dyspareunia: Painful intercourse.7
Dysplasia: Abnormal development or growth patterns of cells.13
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Printable version of the entire Sexual and Reproductive Health Glossary (31 pages, PDF)
