Open Relationship
The union of two people who agree that they can have other sex partners.
Oral Contraceptive Pill
The birth control pill
Oral Sex
Sexual stimulation of the genitals using mouth and tongue.
Orgasm
The peak of sexual arousal when all the muscles that were tightened during sexual arousal relax, causing a very pleasurable feeling that may involve the whole body. The fourth stage of the sexual response cycle.
Outing
Revealing someone else’s sexual orientation, intersex, or transgender status.
Ovaries
The reproductive organs that store and release ova (eggs). Ovaries also produce hormones including oestrogen, progesterone, and testosterone.
Pansexual
A person who experiences sexual, romantic, physical, and/or spiritual attraction for members of all gender identities/expressions.
Penis
The male genital organ used for urination, reproduction (penetration and semen release), and sexual pleasure.
Perineum
The area between the anus and the vaginal opening or the anus and the scrotum.
Phallic
Shaped like a penis
Physical Distancing
Physical Distancing is a term used during the COVID-19 pandemic to encourage people to stay 1.5 metres apart from one another at all times. This helps to minimise the spread of the infection. It also encourages people to embrace other ways to communicate such as video chat, to minimise the contact between people. When it comes to sex...there's plenty of options! Check out this post about everything you need to know about sex and COVID-19.
PID (Pelvic Inflammatory Disease)
An infection of the female reproductive system that can cause abnormal bleeding, chronic pain, and subfertility or infertility. It is often caused by untreated sexually transmitted infections, such as gonorrhoea and chlamydia.
PMS (Premenstrual Syndrome)
A range of emotional and physical symptoms that many people experience just before and during menstruation. Some of the common symptoms are: feeling fatigued and irritable, being bloated and having cramps, tender breasts, and headaches.
Polyamory / Polyamorous
Refers to the practice of, desire to, or orientation towards having ethically, honest, consensually non-monogamous relationships (i.e. relationships that may include multiple partners). This may include open relationships, polyfidelity (which involves more than two people being in romantic and/or sexual relationships which is not open to additional partners), amongst many other set ups. Some polyamorous) people have a “primary” relationship or relationship(s) and then “secondary” relationship(s) which may indicate different allocations of resources, time, or priority.
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
A common condition characterised by having multiple cysts on the ovaries plus symptoms related to a hormonal imbalance: typically acne, increased body hair, weight gain, irregular periods, and reduced fertility.
Pre-Cum
Slang for pre-ejaculate, a small amount of fluid that comes out of the penis during sexual excitement before ejaculation; produced by the Cowper’s glands. It does not contain sperm but may pick up sperm remaining in the urethra from previous ejaculations.
Pre-Ejaculate
The small amount of fluid that comes out of the penis during sexual excitement before ejaculation; produced by the Cowper’s glands. It does not contain sperm, but may pick up sperm remaining in the urethra from previous ejaculations Also called “pre-cum.”
Pregnancy
The state of carrying an embryo or fetus in the uterus. Pregnancy begins once a fertilised egg implants in the uterus and typically lasts about 40 weeks from the last menstrual cycle, or until a miscarriage or abortion occurs.
Premature Ejaculation
Orgasm and ejaculation that occurs both quicker than the person would like and also after very little sexual stimulation (e.g. less than one minute after penetration)
Pro-choice
The belief that girls and women have the right to decide for themselves whether to continue a pregnancy and become a parent, place a baby for adoption, or have an abortion.
Puberty
The period of physical and sexual development from childhood to adulthood. Puberty occurs over several years and causes changes in the brain, bones, muscles, skin, breasts and reproductive organs.
Pubic Hair
The hair that grows around the penis and vulva starting from puberty.
Pubic Lice
A sexually transmitted parasite that lives in the pubic hair and causes itching.
Queef
The sound made when a small amount of air is forced out of the vagina during vaginal penetration or as a result of certain movements.
Queer
A feature of this term is that it is used in a wide variety of highly personal ways. When a person uses this term to describe themselves or others, it is often helpful to speak with them about what ‘queer’ means for them. Queer is not an umbrella term that can be applied to all people who are represented by the ‘LGBTI’ acronym.
