Sexual and Reproductive Health Glossary
[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)
U
Umbilical Chord: The tube that connects the fetus to the placenta.7
Unsafe abortion: An induced abortion conducted either by persons lacking the necessary skills or in an environment lacking the minimal medical and hygienic standards, or both.1
Urethra: The tube through which urine leaves the bladder and passes out of the body; in males, also the tube through which semen is discharged.7
Uterus: The pear shaped organ in the female. It has muscular walls, where the fertilized egg is embedded and in which the fetus develops and is nourished.
V
Vacuum aspiration: A method of pregnancy termination in which the contents of the uterus are removed by suction, using either a hand-held syringe or electric pump.1
Vagina: The tube–shaped organ in the female into which a penis, tampon, menstrual cup, finger or toy may be placed. It is also the passage way for a baby during birth.7
Vaginal Contraceptive Film (VCF): A contraceptive that requires the insertion of nonoxynol 9 in a thin, soluble sheet into the vagina.11
Vaginal Intercourse: Intercourse that occurs when the penis is put into the vagina.11
Vaginal Ring: An intravaginal contraceptive ring that releases low doses of progestins for 3 weeks, followed by a ring-free week.
Vaginal Secretions: Fluid secreted by the vagina either ongoing during the day, or during sexual arousal.
Vas Deferens: The tube through which sperm pass on their way from the testes and epididymis, out of the scrotum and to the urethra.7
Vasectomy: Is a permanent operation a man may have to prevent fathering a child. The tubes (vas deferens) which carry sperm from the testicles to the penis are severed and the ends are sealed.3
Venereal Disease (VD): an out-of-date term for Sexually Transmitted Infection.
Vestibular bulbs: Erectile tissue running under the labia majora.7
Vulva: The collective term for the external genitals of the female7. It includes the mons pubis, the labia major and minora, the clitoris, and the vaginal and urethral openings.11
W
Wet Dream: An involuntary discharge of semen, or an orgasm with ejaculation, during sleep. Also call a ‘nocturnal emission’.
Withdrawal: In an effort to avoid pregnancy, the man withdraws his penis from the vagina before ejaculation. This method of contraception is highly ineffective.1
Womb: another term for uterus. (See uterus).
X
Y
Z
Zygote: a fertilized egg.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)
