Sexual Response, Desire & Reproductive Health: Key Concepts

Sexual arousal

A physical and psychological response to sexual stimulation.

Sexual well-being

Overall physical, emotional, and social well-being related to sexuality.

Kama Sutra

An ancient Indian text discussing sexuality, relationships, and pleasure.

Sexual fantasy

Imagined thoughts or situations that may contribute to sexual arousal.

Multisensory attraction

Attraction involving different senses, including sight, touch, smell, taste, and hearing.

Vomeronasal organ (VNO)

A structure associated with detecting chemical signals.

Pheromones

Chemical signals that can affect behavior or responses in some species.

Androstadienone

A chemical found in semen and sweat studied for possible pheromone effects.

Androstenol

A chemical discussed in relation to smell and possible pheromone effects.

Androstenone

A chemical discussed in relation to smell and possible pheromone effects.

Estratetraenol

A chemical found in female urine studied for possible pheromone effects.

Aphrodisiacs

Substances believed to increase sexual desire.

Anaphrodisiacs

Substances believed to decrease sexual desire.

Placebo effect

When expectations influence the effects someone believes a substance has.

Primary erogenous zones

Body areas especially sensitive to sexual stimulation.

Secondary erogenous zones

Other body areas that can contribute to sexual arousal and pleasure.

Masters and Johnson model

A model describing four phases of the sexual response cycle.

EPOR

Excitement, plateau, orgasm, and resolution.

Excitement phase

The phase when sexual arousal begins and blood flow increases.

Vasocongestion

Increased blood flow that causes tissues to swell.

Plateau phase

The phase when sexual arousal continues and increases.

Sex flush

Temporary skin redness that can occur during sexual arousal.

Orgasm

A phase involving intense pleasure and muscle contractions.

Myotonia

Increased muscle tension that can occur during sexual arousal and orgasm.

Endorphins

Body chemicals associated with pleasure and pain relief.

Resolution phase

The phase when the body gradually returns to its resting state.

Refractory period

A period after orgasm when another orgasm may be temporarily difficult.

Kaplan's three-stage model

A sexual response model consisting of desire, excitement, and orgasm.

Desire

Interest or motivation to engage in sexual activity.

Basson's model

A model recognizing the role of emotional intimacy and relationship context in sexual response.

Responsive desire

Desire that develops after affectionate or intimate stimulation.

Spontaneous desire

Desire that appears without needing prior stimulation.

Testosterone

A hormone involved in sexual development and desire.

Bound testosterone

Testosterone attached to proteins in the bloodstream.

Free testosterone

Testosterone not attached to proteins in the bloodstream.

Dopamine

A neurotransmitter associated with motivation, reward, and pleasure.

Oxytocin

A hormone and neurotransmitter associated with bonding and social connection.

Serotonin

A neurotransmitter involved in mood and other body functions.

Parasympathetic nervous system

The part of the nervous system involved in relaxation and certain arousal responses.

Barriers to orgasm

Physical, psychological, relationship, or social factors that may make orgasm difficult.

Pronatalism

Social beliefs and pressures that encourage people to have children.

Declining birthrates

A decrease in the number of births within a population.

Maternal mortality

Death from pregnancy-related causes during or after pregnancy.

Infant mortality

Death of an infant during the first year of life.

Health disparities

Differences in health outcomes between groups of people.

Racial and ethnic health disparities

Health differences between racial or ethnic groups.

Racism in healthcare

Unequal treatment that can contribute to differences in health outcomes.

Teratogen

An environmental substance or factor that can harm fetal development.

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS)

A condition caused by prenatal alcohol exposure that can affect development.

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASDs)

A range of developmental effects caused by prenatal alcohol exposure.

Conception

The beginning of pregnancy when sperm fertilizes an egg.

Fertilization

The joining of a sperm cell and an egg cell.

Zygote

The single cell formed when sperm fertilizes an egg.

Morula

A solid ball of cells formed during early development.

Blastocyst

A stage of early development that implants into the uterus.

Implantation

The process in which the blastocyst attaches to the uterine lining.

hCG

A pregnancy hormone detected by pregnancy tests.

Germinal period

The first two weeks after fertilization.

Embryonic period

Weeks 3-8, when major organs and body structures begin forming.

Fetal period

Week 9 until birth, when growth and development continue.

Embryo

The developing organism during approximately weeks 3-8.

Fetus

The developing organism from approximately week 9 until birth.

Neural tube

The early structure that develops into the brain and spinal cord.

Neural tube defects

Conditions caused by problems with neural tube development.

Anencephaly

A serious condition in which major parts of the brain and skull do not develop.

Spina bifida

A condition in which the spinal column does not close completely.

Organogenesis

The process of organ formation during early development.

Trimester

One of the three stages of pregnancy.

First trimester

The first three months of pregnancy.

Second trimester

The middle three months of pregnancy.

Third trimester

The final three months of pregnancy.

Couvade syndrome

Sympathetic pregnancy symptoms experienced by a pregnant person's partner.

Fetal viability

The point when a fetus may survive outside the uterus with medical support.

Spontaneous abortion

Natural pregnancy loss, commonly called miscarriage.

Miscarriage

The natural loss of a pregnancy.

Stillbirth

The birth of a baby who died before or during delivery after reaching the applicable gestational-age threshold.

Elective abortion

An intentionally chosen termination of pregnancy.

Abortion

The ending of a pregnancy.

Prenatal care

Healthcare provided during pregnancy to support the health of the pregnant person and fetus.

Prenatal nutrition

Nutrition that supports the pregnant person's health and fetal development.

Matrilineal society

A society that traces family descent or inheritance through the mother's side.

Patriarchal society

A society in which men traditionally hold greater social or family authority.

First stage of childbirth

The stage when labor begins and the cervix dilates.

Second stage of childbirth

The stage when the baby moves through the birth canal and is delivered.

Third stage of childbirth

The stage when the placenta is delivered.

Labor induction

Medical methods used to start or encourage labor.

Vaginal birth

Childbirth in which the baby is delivered through the vagina.

Cesarean section (C-section)

Surgery in which a baby is delivered through incisions in the abdomen and uterus.

Postpartum period

The period after childbirth when the body recovers and adjusts.

Postpartum depression

Depression that can occur after childbirth and may require treatment.

Infertility

Difficulty becoming pregnant or achieving a pregnancy.

Assisted reproductive technology (ART)

Medical methods used to help people become pregnant.

In vitro fertilization (IVF)

Fertilizing an egg with sperm outside the body before transferring an embryo to the uterus.

Reproductive rights

Rights involving decisions about reproduction, pregnancy, contraception, and abortion.

Shared responsibility

The idea that individuals, partners, healthcare systems, and society all contribute to reproductive health.

Roe v. Wade

The 1973 Supreme Court decision protecting abortion rights; overturned in 2022.

Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization

The 2022 decision overturning Roe v. Wade and returning much abortion regulation to the states.

Sexual orientation

A person's pattern of sexual, romantic, or emotional attraction.

Sexual orientation spectrum

The idea that sexual orientation exists across a range rather than only two categories.

Compulsory heterosexuality

The social expectation that everyone should be heterosexual.