Sexual and Reproductive Health Glossary
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Printable version of the entire Sexual and Reproductive Health Glossary (31 pages, PDF)
E
Ectopic Pregnancy: a pregnancy in which the fertilized egg implants somewhere other than the uterus.7
Ejaculation: The expulsion of semen from the penis.7
Embryo: The fertilized egg up to eight weeks old.7
Emergency contraception (EC or ECP): A method of contraception used to avoid pregnancy after an act of sexual intercourse that was unprotected due to lack of use or failure of a contraceptive. Two types are available: Hormonal treatment with high-dose estrogen, a low-dose estrogen-progestagen combination or progestagen alone. Emergency Contraception Pills (ECPs) should be taken as soon as possible after unprotected sex. The insertion of an intra-uterine device, which has to be carried out within five days of unprotected sex, may also be used as emergency contraception. ECPs are thought to prevent ovulation, fertilization, and/or implantation. ECPs are not effective once the process of implantation has begun, and will not cause abortion.1
Endometriosis: A condition in which the endometrium grows abnormally outside the uterus; the symptom is usually painful periods with excessive bleeding.7
Endometrium: The inner lining of the uterus, which is partially shed during menstruation.11
Enema: the injection of fluid into the rectum to cause a bowel movement. Also used for removing fecal material from the rectum. Also called ‘anal douching’.
Epididymis: Coiled tubes on the edge of the testes, where sperm mature.7
Epithelium: Tissue lining the outer layer of a body (skin) or lining a cavity (e.g. vagina or mouth).13
Erection: An enlargement and hardening of the penis [due to the tissue being filled with blood] which occurs during sexual arousal.7
Estrogen: Hormones produced by the ovaries, responsible for female sexual maturation, regulation of the menstrual cycle, and maintenance of the uterine lining.11 Estrogen is one of two female sex hormones. The other is progesterone.
F
Fallopian Tube: The tube extending from the uterus to the ovary; also called the oviduct7. They are the tubes the ova travel down to get from a female’s ovaries to her uterus.15
Family planning: The conscious effort of couples or individuals to plan for and attain their desired number of children and to regulate the spacing and timing of their births. Family planning is achieved through contraception and through the treatment of involuntary infertility.1
Fecundity: The physiological capacity of a woman or man to produce or beget a live child. See also fertility, which is actual reproductive performance.1
Fellatio: oral stimulation of the penis, esp. to orgasm.12
Female Condom: A soft, loose-fitting polyurethane sheath which is placed inside the vagina to reduce the risk if STI transmission and unplanned pregnancy.
Female Genital Cutting/Mutilation (FGM) (see clitoridectomy)
Fertility: The actual reproductive performance of an individual, group or society.1
Fertility awareness: A method of contraception in which couples avoid sexual intercourse during the fertile phase of the menstrual cycle. This method depends on the ability of the couple to identify the fertile phase and the couple's motivation and discipline to practise abstinence when required.1
Fertilization: Union of the female egg and male sperm; usually occurs in one of the fallopian tubes.11
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD): formerly called Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS). A condition characterized by a range of various mental and/or physical birth defects and, in severe cases, alcohol withdrawal symptoms in the infant. Milder symptoms such as learning disabilities are caused by alcohol consumption by a pregnant woman. More severe cases are caused by chronic and excessive alcohol consumption by a pregnant woman.
Fetus: A fertilized egg in the womb that has grown beyond eight weeks.1
Fibroid: Benign tumour of muscular and fibrous tissues, which may develop in the wall of the uterus.11
Fisting: Slang term - To insert the fist into the rectum or vagina of another as a means of sexual stimulation.12
Fistula: A rupture that results in an abnormal passage linking two areas such as the vagina, rectum, bladder, and abdominal cavity. Obstetric fistulae are caused by difficult labour, unsafe abortion, and traditional practices such as female genital cutting.1
Flaccid: limp. Often used when referring to a penis.
Foreskin: A layer of skin covering the glans or tip of the penis in an uncircumcised male; also called the prepuce.7
Frenulum: A highly sensitive area of skin on the underside of the penis next to the glans.7
[A] [B] [C] [D] [E] [F] [G] [H] [I] [J] [K] [L] [M] [N] [O] [P] [Q] [R] [S] [T] [U] [V] [W] [X] [Y] [Z] [sources]
Printable version of the entire Sexual and Reproductive Health Glossary (31 pages, PDF)
