This glossary helps you understand the acronyms and terminology associated with sexual health used in Northern Ireland.
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Abbreviations and acronyms
BHSCT – Belfast Trust
BV – Bacterial vaginosis
CSE – Child sexual exploitation
GP – General practitioner
GUM clinic – Genitourinary medicine clinic, also known as sexual health clinic (SHC)
HIV – Human immunodeficiency virus
HPV – Human papillomavirus
HSV – Herpes simplex virus
IUD – Intrauterine device
IUS – Intrauterine system
mPox – Monkey pox
NHSCT – Northern Trust
PeP – Post-exposure prophylaxis for HIV
PID – Pelvic inflammatory disease
PrEP – Pre-exposure Prophylaxis for HIV
SEHSCT – South Eastern Trust
SHSCT – Southern Trust
SHC clinic – Sexual health clinic, also known as GUM clinic
SRH clinic – Sexual and reproductive health clinic, also known as contraceptive clinic
STI – Sexually transmitted infection
TV – Trichomonas vaginalis
U=U – Undetectable = Untransmittable
UTI – Urinary tract infection
WHSCT – Western Trust
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A
Abortion
A procedure to end a pregnancy, sometimes known as termination.
Abstinence
Not having sex with anyone. You can be abstinent if you’ve had sex before, are in a relationship, or have never had sex.
Age of consent
The age at which state law considers a person old enough to decide to have sex with someone.
AIDS
AIDS (acquired immune deficiency syndrome) is the name used to describe a number of potentially life-threatening infections and illnesses that happen when the immune system has been severely damaged by the HIV virus.
Anal sex
When the penis is inserted into another person’s anus.
Asexual
A person who experiences little or no sexual attraction to others.
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B
Bacterial vaginosis (BV)
Inflammation of the vulva/vagina (vaginitis) caused by a change in the balance of vaginal bacteria. It’s not an STD. Things like douching or having sex with a new partner can lead to BV.
Barrier methods of birth control
Birth control that blocks sperm from passing through the cervix (the barrier between the vagina and uterus). These include the condom, female condom, and diaphragm.
Birth control
Any behaviour, device, medicine, or procedure used to prevent pregnancy. Also known as contraception.
Bisexual
Being sexually attracted to two or more genders.
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C
Chlamydia
A sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by bacteria.
Coil (IUD)
A device, usually T-shaped, that contains copper and is fitted inside the womb to prevent pregnancy. IUD stands for intrauterine device.
Combined pill
Contraceptive pill containing two hormones, oestrogen and progestogen.
Condom
A thin latex or plastic sheath placed over the penis (male condom) or in the vagina (female condom) to help prevent sperm reaching and fertilising the female egg. Used to help prevent pregnancy and the spread of sexually transmitted infections.
Contraception
A range of methods for preventing pregnancy, including the use of hormones, surgery and devices.
Contraceptive clinic
Contraceptive clinics, also known as Sexual and Reproductive Health clinics, are a free and confidential service offering a range of contraceptive methods and advice about family planning and sexual health.
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D
Dental dam
A dental dam is a square piece of latex or polyurethane. This can be placed over the anus or female genitals during oral sex to act as a barrier to help prevent STIs passing from one person to another.
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E
Ejaculate/ejaculation
When a man reaches climax and his penis produces sperm.
Emergency contraception
Commonly known as the ‘morning after pill’. Used to prevent pregnancy after unprotected sex (sex without a condom) or sex without another form of contraceptive.
Erectile dysfunction
Inability to achieve an erection (an erect penis), also known as impotence.
Erection
When a man’s penis is temporarily harder and bigger than usual, and points upwards.
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F
Family planning
Term used for managing birth control through the use of contraception.
Foreplay
Any kind of sexual activity that leads up to, but doesn’t include, full intercourse.
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G
Gay
Homosexual. Someone who is sexually attracted to people of their own sex.
Genital herpes
A sexually transmitted viral infection of the genitals.
Genital warts
A viral infection of the genital area.
Genitals
The outer sexual organs, especially the penis or vulva.
Gonorrhoea
A sexually transmitted bacterial infection.
GUM
Genitourinary medicine. The diagnosis and treatment of sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
GUM clinic
Genitourinary medicine (GUM) clinic, also known as sexual health clinic (SHC) specialises in sexual health, and can provides a range of sexual health services to test, treat and prevent sexually transmitted infections. Often combined with family planning clinics (as with Umbrella) to form full sexual health clinics.
Gynaecology
Specialist study of women’s reproductive health.
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H
Heterosexual
Attracted to people of the opposite sex.
HIV
HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) is a virus that damages the cells in your immune system and weakens the ability to fight everyday infections and disease.
Homophobia
Dislike or fear of, discrimination against, or hatred towards homosexuals.
Homosexual
A person who is sexually attracted to people of the same sex.
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I
IUD
Intrauterine device. A device, usually T-shaped, that contains copper and is fitted inside the womb to prevent pregnancy.
IUS
Intrauterine system. A T-shaped device that contains the hormone progestogen and is fitted inside the womb to prevent pregnancy.
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L
Lesbian
A female who is sexually attracted to other females.
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M
Masturbation
Touching or stimulating your own genitals for sexual pleasure.
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N
Non-binary
An umbrella term for people whose gender identity doesn’t sit comfortably with ‘man’ or ‘woman’. People may identify with some aspects of binary identities, while others reject them entirely.
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O
Oral sex
Stimulating a partner’s genitals with the mouth, lips or tongue. This includes fellatio (sucking or licking somebody’s penis), cunnilingus (licking somebody’s vagina, vulva or clitoris), or anilingus (licking somebody’s anus).
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P
PeP
Post-exposure prophylaxis after sexual exposure to HIV. A treatment given to help reduce the chance of catching HIV after unprotected sex.
PrEP
Pre-exposure prophylaxis for HIV. A regular pill given to a person to stop them from getting HIV.
Progestogen-only pill (POP)
Oral contraceptive pill containing one hormone, progestogen.
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Q
Questioning
The process of exploring your sexual orientation and/or gender identity.
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R
Rod
Also known as contraceptive implant. A small, flexible plastic rod placed under the skin of the arm, which slowly releases the hormone progestogen over a period of around three years.
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S
Sexual health clinic (SHC)
A sexual health clinic (SHC) or genitourinary medicine (GUM) clinic specialises in sexual health, and can provide tests and treatment for many STIs.
Sexual reproductive health clinic (SRH clinic)
Sexual and reproductive health clinics, also known as contraceptive clinics, are a free and confidential service offering a range of contraceptive methods and advice about family planning and sexual health.
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
Infections passed by oral, vaginal and/or anal sexual contact.
Symptoms
Any feeling of illness or physical or mental change which is caused by a particular infection or disease.
Syphilis
Bacterial sexually transmitted infection (STI). Can be passed by sexual contact with an infected person.
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T
Termination of pregnancy
Also known as abortion. The medical process of ending a pregnancy.
Transgender
An umbrella term for people whose gender identity is not the same as or does not sit comfortably with the sex they were assigned at birth.
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U
Unprotected sex
Sex without using a condom.
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V
Viral
Caused by a virus.
Virus
An extremely small organism which multiplies within a living host (for example, a human), and spreads among hosts, causing disease.