Key terms SEX FINAL

Hypospadias

urethral opening is on underside of penis (not tip)

Peyronie’s disease

scar tissue causes curved, painful erection

Injuries

general damage to reproductive organs (trauma)

Phimosis

foreskin too tight to pull back over glans

Priapism

long, painful erection that won’t go away (emergency)

Prostate cancer

cancer of prostate gland (male reproductive gland)

Testicular cancer

cancer in testes (often painless lump)

Penile cancer

rare cancer of penis tissue

Varicocele

enlarged veins in scrotum (“varicose veins of testes” → heat → lower sperm

Menarche

first menstrual period

Menopause

permanent stop of menstruation

Perimenopause

“transition phase” before menopause

PMS

physical/emotional symptoms before period

PMDD

severe, clinical form of PMS (depression, mood disruption)

Primary amenorrhea

never started period

Secondary amenorrhea

had period, then stops

Primary dysmenorrhea

painful period with no medical cause

Secondary dysmenorrhea

painful period due to condition (e.g., endometriosis)

Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)

infection of reproductive organs (often from STI)

Endometriosis

uterine tissue grows outside uterus → pain, infertility

Breast cancer

cancer in breast tissue (often ducts/lobules)

Hysterectomy

removal of uterus

Oophorectomy

removal of ovaries

Fibrogenase

enzyme involved in blood clotting / reproductive tissue repair

Braxton Hicks

“practice contractions” during pregnancy

Quickening

first fetal movement felt by mother

Placenta

organ that connects mother & fetus (oxygen/nutrients exchange)

Vernix

white, waxy coating protecting fetus skin

Doula

non-medical birth support person

OBGYN

doctor specializing in pregnancy + female reproductive health

Midwife

trained birth professional for pregnancy/delivery (less medical than OB)

Episiotomy

surgical cut in perineum during childbirth

Cunnilingus

oral stimulation of vulva/clitoris

Fellatio

oral stimulation of penis

Paraphilia

atypical sexual interest (only a disorder if harmful/distressing)

Fetishism

sexual attraction to non-living object/body part

Role play

acting out sexual scenarios or identities

Oxytocin

bonding hormone (love, orgasm, birth contractions)

hCG

pregnancy hormone detected in tests (supports early pregnancy)

Prolactin

causes sleepiness + milk production + refractory period

Sadism

pleasure from giving pain

Masochism

pleasure from receiving pain

Romantic lover

emotional + passion + affection expressions

Game playing lover

manipulative, keeps distance, “playing hard to get”

Possessive lover

jealous, controlling, fear of losing partner

Companionate lover

deep friendship + long-term bond

Altruistic lover

selfless, gives without expecting return

Pragmatic lover

practical, “makes sense on paper” (status, stability, compatibility)