Abortifacient:
A substance or device that induces an abortion.

Abortion:
The termination of pregnancy before the fetus is viable (that is: being able to survive outside of the uterus). A spontaneous abortion is also called a miscarriage. For more: See Abortion Laws.

Abstinence:
Not having sexual intercourse. (Or any sexual activity with another person).

Abstinence-Only Curriculum:
Sexual education programs that advocate sexual abstinence before marriage. The majority of these programs do not provide information about contraception, safer sex, or sexual orientation.

Adolescence:
The period of physical and emotional change between puberty and adulthood.

Adultery:
Sexual intercourse between a married person and someone who is not his or her spouse.

Age of Consent:
The age at which one is legally considered old enough to decide to have sexual intercourse or “consensual sex“.

AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome):
Active HIV disease and medical conditions associated with it. HIV being the retrovirus that infects human T cells and causes AIDS.

Amenorrhea
The absence of menstruation.

Anal Intercourse:
Intercourse in which the penis penetrates the anus.

Anal Sex:
Anal sex is stimulation of the anus during sexual activity. It can be done in several different ways: manually, orally or by anal intercourse.

Androgens:
A hormones that promotes male characteristics. They stimulate male sexual development and secondary male sex characteristics. Most are produced in the testicles of men but are also produced in small amounts in women’s ovaries. Testosterone is the most common androgen.

Androgyny:
A gender identity that allows expression of both gender roles.

Anti-Choice:
Opposed to the belief that women have the right to choose to have an abortion; or the right to even make that choice.

Anus:
The opening from the rectum from which solid waste (feces) leaves the body.

Aphrodisiac:
A drug or substance that increases sexual desire and or drive.

Areola:
The dark area surrounding the nipples of women and men.

Asphyxophilia:
A paraphilia in which sexual arousal becomes dependent on being strangled up to the point of passing out.

Autoerotic:
Providing sexual stimulation for oneself.

Autoerotic Asphyxiation:
Self-strangulation for the purpose of sexual arousal. A form of sexual behavior in which the individual masturbates while depriving him or herself of oxygen through hanging, strangulation, or other means. This activity is very dangerous and causes many accidental deaths yearly.

Axillary intercourse:
A sexual variation in which a man thrusts his penis into the armpit of his partner.