A-Z of sex word meaning

This might be something that puts someone off liking someone. This could be a dealbreaker, like we do not have the same values, or a preference in dating styles.

Contraceptive implants work in a similar way to contraceptive pills. With an implant the hormone is in a small, plastic rod, which a specially trained doctor or nurse inserts under the skin of someone's arm (who is assigned female at birth). The implant works for three years and is 99 percent effective at stopping pregnancy. To find out more visit our Contraception page.

This is a general term used for a variety of situations in which a person is born with reproductive or sexual anatomy that doesn’t fit the binary terms of ‘female’ or ‘male’. This variation is natural. This is not seen as a disorder.

Irregular periods are periods that change each month. This means someone may not have a regular 28 day cycle. Periods are controlled by hormones and irregular ones are usually part of the normal changes that happen to young people.

The IUD (Intrauterine Device) is another name for the coil. It is a small device usually made of plastic or copper. It is inserted into the womb and stops fertilised eggs from settling and growing. It lasts up to five years and is 99% effective at stopping pregnancy. See our Contraception page for more information.

The Intrauterine System (IUS) is a small, plastic T-shaped device containing hormones. It sits in the womb and works for five years. It is more than 99 percent effective at stopping pregnancy. See our Contraception page for more information.