Sex Definitions
Adultery
What is the definition of adultery?
Acrotomophilia
Definition of acrotomophilia, which describes being sexually aroused or having sexual fantasies about having sex with someone who has an amputated limb.
Abstinence
An explanation of how the word abstinence is used, and what it refers to.
Agoraphilia
Definition of agoraphilia which describes sexual excitement from being outdoors and/or enjoying sex in public places.
Agalmatophilia
Defining agalmatophilia, a fetish that involves arousal or sexual excitement for statues for mannequins.
Analingus
Definition of the word analingus, also called rimming.
Anorgasmia
Definition of anorgasmia, an inability to reach orgasm or climax.
Asphyxiophilia
Definition of asphyxiophilia, the practice of depriving oneself of oxygen to create sexual arousal or enhance sex.
Androgynous
Androgynous has more than one definition, and here are a few common ways that it is defined.
Asexual
Scientific and cultural definitions of asexual.
Autofellatio
A description and definition of autofellatio, the act of performing oral sex on oneself.
BDSM
A definition for the term BDSM which is an umbrella term to describe a wide range of sexual activities, and emotional and spiritual interactions.
Candaulism
Definition of candaulism, which describes the sexual practice involving three people where two engage in sex while the third watches, often from a hidden location.
Chlamydia
Chlamydia symptoms and links to more resources on Chlamydia and other sexually transmitted diseases.
Coitus
A definition of the word coitus.
Butt Plug Harness
What is a butt plug harness?
Coccinelle 1931-2006
About Coccinelle, well known female performer who was also the first person to have sex reassignment surgery in France.
Butt Plugs
Definition and description of butt plugs.
Climacturia
An explanation of Climacturia, a medical term describing orgasm-associated incontinence.
Cuckold
A definition of the term cuckold.
Coprophilia
Definition of the fetish or paraphilia known as coprophilia.
Cuddle Party
An explanation of the term cuddle party, with links to more information on cuddle parties.
Cisgender
A definition of the term cisgender, with links to further readings.
Dental Dam
Explains what a dental dam is in the context of using dental dams for safer sex.
Dr. Vern Bullough 1928-2006
About sex reseacher and historian Vern Bullough 1928-2006
Dildo
Definition of the sex toy called a "dildo."
Dr. Geri Weitzman
Brief biography for Dr. Geri Weitzman.
Dr. John Money 1921-2006
Information about pioneering sex researcher Dr. John Money.
DSM (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders)
Explains the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM).
Erectile Dysfunction
Definition of the term erectile dysfunction.
Dual Action Vibrator
Definition of dual action vibrator
Dysparuenia
Definition of Dysparuenia or painful intercourse.
Emergent sex
Definition of the term emergent sex, coined by Brenda Brathwaite.
Erotophilia and Erotophobia
Definition of the personality dimension called erotophilia and erotophobia.
Female Genital Cosmetic Surgery (FGCS)
Definition of the various kinds of female genital cosmetic surgeries, including vagioplasty and labiaplasty.
Female Orgasmic Disorder
A definition of female orgasmic disorder.
Fetish
Clinical and non-clinical definitions of fetish.
Erogenous Zones
Definition of erogenous zones, and a list of some of the common erogenous zones.
Frenulum Breve
Definition of Frenulum Breve a condition that can make sexual activity painful.
Genital Herpes
Genital herpes symptoms and links to more resources on genital herpes and other sexually transmitted diseases.
Frottage
Definition of the sexual activity frottage.
Fetish Sex
What is fetish sex, and can it be part of a healthy sex life?
Foot Fetish
Explanation of foot fetish and the various forms it takes.
Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder (HSDD)
Definition of the clinical diagnosis of hypoactive sexual desire disorder, where an individual has low or no interest in sexual activity or fantasy.
Impotence
Definition of the term impotence.
Intercourse
A definition of the word intercourse in a sexual context.
Kegel Exercises
Definition of Kegel exercises, used to strengthen the pelvic floor muscles.
Gender
A definition of gender in the context of sexuality and sexual health.
Paraphilias
Definition of paraphilia.
Klismaphilia
Definition of klismaphilia, or deriving sexual arousal and pleasure from enemas.
Homophobia
A working definition of homophobia in the context of sexual health.
Labiaplasty
Definition of labiaplasty, surgery to alter the size of the labia.
Lichen Sclerosus
Definition of the rare disorder lichen sclerosus
Male Orgasmic Disorder
A definition of male orgasmic disorder.
Gender Non-Conforming Children
Many prefer the term gender independent children, but both terms are used to describe the ways that social and cultural expectations can clash with a child's predictable gender exploration.
Medical Model of Sexuality
A definition of the term medical model as it applies to an understanding of sexuality.
Gender Variant
What does the term gender variant mean?
Genderqueer
What genderqueer means, and who the term applies to.
Kinsey Scale
An explanation of the Kinsey Scale proposed by sex researcher Alfred Kinsey.
Non Ejaculatory Orgasm
Definition of non-ejaculatory orgasm, a term generally used when refering to male orgasm and the experience of male multiple orgasm.
Infidelity, Adultery, and Cheating
Comparing different definitions of sexual betrayal.
Oral Sex Taste
What makes up the taste of oral sex? An explanation of what oral sex taste is comprised of.
Refractory Period
Provides a definition of the term refractory period.
How Is Sex Determined?
Describes the definition of physical, biological, or genetic sex, as determined by anatomy and chromosomes.
Pansexual
Definition of the term Pansexual.
Kinky Sex
What defines kinky sex?
Perineum
Explains what the perineum is and where to find it.
Premature Ejaculation
Definition of premature ejaculation
Penis Pumps
Describes the basics of penis pumps and the difference between penis pumps and vacuum pumps or vacuum erection devices.
Persistent Genital Arousal Disorder (PGAD)
Definition of persistent genital arousal disorder (PGAD), also known as persistent sexual arousal syndrome (PSAS).
Play Piercing
A definition and description of play piercing.
Persistent Sexual Arousal Syndrome (PSAS)
Definition of persistent sexual arousal syndrome (PSAS), also known as persistent genital arousal disorder (PGAD).
Medical Fetish
Explanation of medical fetish.
Phimosis
Definition of phimosis, a condition where the foreskin cannot be pulled back behind the head of the penis
Phthalates
Explains what phthalates are and how they are used in sex toy manufacturing.
Priapism
Definition of the condition priapism.
Pubococcygeus (PC) Muscles
Definition of the Pubococcygeus Muscles, known as the PC muscles.
Romantic Product Salesman
Describes the little known profession of romantic product salesmen.
Rainbow Parties
Definition of the term Rainbow Parties.
Semen
What is semen, and what is it made of?
Monogamy
A definition of monogamy.
Sex Drive
Defines the term sex drive, also known as sexual instinct or libido.
Penile Rehabilitation
What is involved in penile rehabilitation?
Sex Toy
What is the definition of a sex toy? How are sex toys defined in law, by public health, and by commerce?
Sexual Identity
How does sexual identity differ from sexual orientation, or sexual behavior? Here’s a working definition of sexual identity.
Orgasm
Explanations of the various definitions of orgasm.
Sexual Orientation
Historically, researchers have conceptualized sexual orientation in a variety of different ways. Here is a practical definition of sexual orientation.
Sex Work
Explains how sex work is commonly defined, and what the difference is between the term sex work and the term prostitution.
Sexual Pleasure
A definition of sexual pleasure.
Sexual Problems (reader definitions)
Readers share definitions of what makes something a sexual problem.
Swinging
A definition of the term swinging, as in the sexual activity.
Sexual Dysfunction
What is the definition of a sexual dysfunction?
Uncircumcise
What does the term uncircumcised mean? Is it possible to undo a circumcision without surgery?
Sexual Surrogates
What is sexual surrogacy and who are sexual surrogates?
Vaginoplasty
Definition of vaginoplasty, surgery that alters the internal and/or external female genitalia.
Ableism
Definition of the term ableism.
Incontinence
Definition of incontinence.
Vasocongestion
Definition of vasocongestion in the context of sexual arousal and sexual response.
Your Sexual Definitions
Readers share their ideas on how to define sex, what constitutes “real sex” and how they wish others would define sex.
National Survey of Family Growth
Learn more about the largest ongoing collection of data in the U.S. related to families and sexual health.
Foreplay
A definition of the term foreplay.
Teledildonics
The origins and meaning of the term teledildonic.
Zoophilia
Definition of the term Zoophilia.
Social Model of Sexuality
A definition of a social model of sexuality.
Vacuum Pumps
Describes the basics of vacuum pumps or vacuum erection devices, and the differences between these and penis pumps.
Virtual Sex
There are many different definitions for virtual sex, here is a good place to start.
Queer
Brief historical and contemporary definitions of the word queer, in reference to sexuality and gender.
Smoking Fetish
Explanation of smoking fetish.
Sexual Performance Anxiety
Definition of the term sexual performance anxiety.
Tribadism
Definition of the sexual activity tribadism.
Sue Johanson
Sue Johanson is a registered nurse and a sex educator who had a popular television program in both Canada and the U.S. for many years.
Sexual Desire
A definition of sexual desire.
Sexual Arousal
A definition of sexual arousal.
Compulsory Monogamy
A definition and explanation of the idea of compulsory monogamy.
Infidelity
Definition of infidelity in the context of a sexual or romantic relationship.
Vanilla Sex
A definition of the term vanilla sex.
Sex Hangups
What defines a sexual hangup?
Transgender
An example definition of the word transgender, a term people use to describe aspects of their gender identity.
Transsexual
One definition of the word transsexual, a term people use to describe aspects of their gender identity.
Sexual Expression
Explains what is included in a definition of sexual expression.
Transphobia
A working definition of transphobia.
Two-Spirit
Several different definitions and explanations of the term two-spirit in the context of a gender and sexual identity.
Definition of Sex
Find out how sex and sexuality are defined differently and how those difference impact your experience of sex.
Cheating
How do you define cheating in a romantic, committed relationship?
Virginity
How has virginity been defined in the past, and how is it understood today?
Vaginal Dilators
Who dilators are good for, what they are used for, and understanding the different types of dilators.
What Is the Difference Between Sex and Gender?
Explains the difference between sex and gender, and why that difference matters to everyone's life.
Gender Neutral
A definition and explanation of common mistakes when using the term gender neutral.
Open Relationship
What's the difference between an open relationship and cheating?
Adult Virgins
How old do you have to be to qualify as an adult virgin?