When the egg gets fertilised outside of the womb, usually in the fallopian tubes. A pregnancy is not safe unless it is in the womb and an ectopic pregnancy usually has to be terminated. This is often diagnosed by medical staff, so if you think you could be pregnant, please make sure to seek healthcare support.

The egg is known as a female reproductive cell. This is what is released every month if someone has a period (menstruates). If a sperm fertilises an egg, this is what can grow into an embryo.

Ejaculation is fluid produced from the penis or vagina. This often happens as the result of having an orgasm, but it can happen without an orgasm. If someone with a penis ejaculates, this will come out of the end of penis. This is called semen and this liquid contains sperm. People with a vulva can ejaculate, but the fluid is different, and can be of varying amounts.

A fertilised egg becomes a ball of cells called an embryo. An embryo describes the early stages of pregnancy, until eight weeks of development and before it becomes known as a foetus.

The emergency contraceptive pill, sometimes called the morning after pill, can stop a pregnancy happening after sex without contraception or if contraception fails. It needs to be taken within 5 days (or 120 hours) after sex. The emergency pill is free of charge to young people from a range of local services. It’s also known as Emergency Hormonal Contraception (EHC). For more information see our Emergency Contraception page.

A disease affecting people who menstruate. This occurs when the tissue that normally lines the womb grows on other organs outside of it, and can cause heavy bleeding. It can also cause extreme pain and discomfort, as well as fertility issues. If anyone suspects they may have endometriosis, please go to your GP.

When someone is having problems maintaining an erection. This can happen for a number of reasons, such as being tired, stressed, drinking, medical conditions etc.

When someone with a penis is sexually aroused, their penis will swell (with blood) and become hard or erect. If you are going through puberty, this can happen involuntarily, or in your sleep. Also referred to as a boner or a 'hard-on'.