Sexual Development & STI Vocabulary

Vocabulary flashcards on sexual development stages, reproductive milestones, and common STIs with management concepts.

Preadolescence

Ages 10–13; onset of puberty with secondary sex characteristics and, in girls, menarche; needs clear information to ease fears.

Adolescence

Ages 13–19; primary and secondary sex characteristics mature, sexual experimentation occurs, and gender identity is solidified.

Adulthood (35–55)

Mid-life stage marked by menopause, possible divorce, and focus on quality of sexual experiences; empty-nest feelings may arise.

Late Adulthood (55+)

Period when orgasms shorten, secretions decrease, and resolution lengthens, yet satisfying sex remains possible with adaptation.

Puberty

Biological process triggering sexual maturity and the appearance of secondary sex characteristics.

Secondary Sex Characteristics

Body changes at puberty not directly involved in reproduction (e.g., breast growth, body hair, voice changes).

Primary Sex Characteristics

Reproductive organs that mature during adolescence, enabling fertility (testes, ovaries, etc.).

Menarche

A girl’s first menstrual period, signaling the onset of fertility.

Menopause

Permanent cessation of menstruation in mid-life, ending natural fertility.

Empty Nest Syndrome

Feelings of loss or sadness when children leave home; common in mid-adulthood.

Contraceptive Measures

Methods such as abstinence, condoms, pills, or IUDs used to prevent pregnancy.

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)

HIV-1/HIV-2 retrovirus that weakens immunity; early ART is recommended for all infected persons.

Antiretroviral Therapy (ART)

Combination drug regimen begun ASAP after HIV diagnosis to suppress viral replication.

Pre-exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP)

Daily medication taken by high-risk individuals to prevent HIV infection before exposure.

Post-exposure Prophylaxis (PEP)

Short course of ART started within 72 h after potential HIV exposure to prevent infection.

Bacterial Vaginosis (BV)

Imbalance of vaginal flora causing thin, gray, foul-smelling discharge; treated with metronidazole.

Chlamydia

Chlamydia trachomatis infection, often asymptomatic; causes discharge and dysuria; common ages 15–24.

Cytomegalovirus (CMV)

Herpes-family virus that may be asymptomatic or mimic mononucleosis; can be sexually transmitted.

Genital Herpes

Lifelong HSV-2 (or HSV-1) infection causing recurrent painful vesicular genital lesions.

Gonorrhea

Neisseria gonorrhoeae infection; may be silent but can lead to PID, infertility, or purulent discharge.

Human Papillomavirus (HPV)

DNA virus; most sexually active people acquire; vaccine prevents strains causing genital warts and cancer.

Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)

Infection of upper female reproductive tract, often due to chlamydia or gonorrhea, risking infertility.