A-Z of sex word meaning

A period where people are talking before they are officially dating. This might involve getting to know someone more online via text, video calls, social media etc. 

Small tubes made of soft cotton that you put inside the vagina to soak up blood during a period.

Two small round organs in a pouch (called the scrotum) under the penis. They make sperm and the hormone testosterone.

A hormone made mainly in the testicles, but also in the ovaries. It plays a big role in puberty, like causing facial hair or a deeper voice. This may be taken by people who are medically transitioning to make their features more male.

A genital infection caused by a fungus. Anyone can get thrush, but it's more common for those with a vagina. It causes soreness and itching in the genital area. Thrush is often easy to treat with antifungal medications available from pharmacies, but if it persists visit your GP.

Toxic shock syndrome (TSS) is a rare but life-threatening condition caused by an infection. It can happen when using a tampon or menstrual cup, or from an infected wound. Symptoms develop quickly and urgent treatment is needed.

A word for people whose gender identity is different from the sex they were given at birth. This can also be used as an umbrella term. Some transgender people might call themselves non-binary, gender queer, or other terms. Not all transgender people choose to change their name, body, or appearance.

When a trans person starts to live as the gender they know they are. This can include changing their name, clothes, or body - or not, it's different for everyone. If people are medically transitioning this may involve taking hormones, voice training, surgeries etc. 

When two people rub their vulvas together for sexual pleasure (though anyone can do it, no matter their genitalia). It’s a type of sex that doesn’t involve penetration. Tribbing is also sometimes called scissoring, which involves two people interlocking their legs (like scissors).

A sexually transmitted infection (STI) that can cause unusual discharge from the penis or vagina. It's often green or yellow and may smell. It’s easily treated with medicine.