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This Glossary page contains a list of words and explanations

Abortion: sometimes known as termination: the medical process of ending a pregnancy
AIDS: Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome: the later effects of HIV

Bacteria: a type of very small organism that lives in air, earth, water, plants and animals, often one which causes a disease

CASH clinic: Contraception and Sexual Health Clinic: an integrated Family Planning and STI clinic
CASPHER:  Chlamydia Awareness Screening Programme for Hull and East Riding
Chlamydia: a sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by bacteria
Coil (IUD): Inter Uterine Device:  interuterine device: T shaped device that is fitted inside the womb to prevent pregnancy (see LARC)
Combined Pill: Contraceptive pill containing two hormones, oestrogen and progestogen
Condom: A thin latex or plastic sheath placed over the penis (male) or in the vagina (female) to prevent sperm reaching and fertilising the female egg and therefore preventing pregnancy
Contraception: a range of methods for preventing pregnancy, including use of hormones, surgery and devices

Depo Provera: a long acting injectible contraceptive (see LARC)

Emergency Contraception: commonly known as the "morning after" pill.  Used to prevent pregnancy after unprotected (without a condom) sex
Erection:  When a man has an erection, his penis is temporarily harder and bigger than usual and points up
Erectile dysfunction: inability to achieve an erection of the penis.  Also known as impotence

Family Planning: term used for managing birth control through contraception

Genital: the outer sexual organs, especially the penis or vulva
Genital warts: a viral infection of the genital area
Genital herpes: a sexually transmitted viral infection of the genitals
Gonorrhoea: a sexually transmitted bacterial infection
GUM: genitourinary medicine: the diagnosis and treatment of sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
GUM clinic: Genitourinary Medicine clinic: also known as sexual health clinic - they provide a range of sexual health services to treat and prevent sexually transmitted infections. Sometimes combined with family planning clinics
Gyneacology: specialist study of women's reproductive health

HIV: Human Immunodeficiency Virus: a sexually transmitted virus that attacks the immune system and may lead to AIDS
Hormone Coil (IUS): T shaped device that is fitted inside the womb and releases the hormone progestogen. Used to prevent pregnancy (see LARC)

Injection (Depo Provera): Along acting reversible contraceptive (LARC)Injection (Depo Provera): Along acting reversible contraceptive (LARC)
IUD: inter uterine device: T shaped device that is fitted inside the womb to prevent pregnancy (see LARC)
IUS: inter uterine system:  T shaped device that is fitted inside the womb and releases the hormone progestogen.  Used to prevent pregnancy (see LARC)

LARC: Long Acting Reversible Contraceptives: A range of "fit and forget" contraceptives which can be used by all women
Lubricant (Lube): Used with a condom to help penetration

Menopause: the end of menstruation (periods) in women.  Also known  as "change of life"
Morning After pill: a common term for emergency contraception which is used to prevent pregnancy after unprotected (without a condom) sex

Patch: A patch worn by the woman to prevent pregnancy.  Does not protect against Sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
PID: Pelvic Inflammatory Disease: an infection of the female womb, fallopian tubes and ovaries
Pill:  There are a range of contraceptive pills that can be taken by the woman to prevent pregnancy (see Combined Pill; Progestogen Only Pill)
Pre-menstrual:  Leading up to the woman's monthly period
PEPSE:  Post-Exposure Prophilaxis after Sexual Exposure: treatment given to help reduce effect of HIV after unprotected sex
Progestogen Only pill: contraceptive pill containing one hormone: progestogen

Ring: contraceptive device fitted into the womb that releases a hormone to prevent pregnancy
Rod (Implanon): also known as implants: a long acting reversible contraceptive placed under the skin of the arm (LARC)

Screening: range of testing methods for sexually transmitted infections
Sexual health clinics:  they provide a range of sexual health services to treat and prevent sexually transmitted infections. sometimes combined with family planning clinics
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs):S infections passed by oral, vaginal and anal sexual contact
Symptoms: any feeling of illness or physical or mental change which is caused by a particular infection or disease 
Syphilis: bacterial infection that can be passed by sexual contact with an infected person

Termination of Pregnancy: also known as abortion: the medical process of ending a pregnancy

Unprotected sex:  sex without using a condom

Viral: caused by a virus
Virus: an extremely small organism which causes disease