Here we’ll define many of the common terms you’ll encounter when talking about sex and your health.
If there’s a term you think should be here, feel free to “Submit a Term” and we’ll review it.
There are currently 8 terms in this directory beginning with the letter D.
Dental Dam
A thin square of latex used to cover the vulva during oral sex or the anus during analingus to reduce the risk of spread of sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
Depo Provera
A hormonal contraceptive method that is injected into a girl’s arm or buttock every 3 months by a medical professional. It works by preventing ovulation and by thickening cervical mucus to keep sperm from fertilizing an egg. Also known as 'Depo' for short.
Diaphragm
A dome-shaped rubber cup that covers the opening to the cervix to prevent sperm from entering the uterus. It does not protect against sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
Discharge
Wet stuff that comes out of a penis or vagina. For women, discharge from the vagina is normal and will happen from puberty through to the menopause. It is produced by little glands in the vagina and the cervix. It will change during the month and can make sex more pleasurable. If the discharge is a funny colour or smells unpleasant, women should visit their local NHS Sexual Health (GUM) clinic, GP or nurse, Young Persons Sexual Health, or Family Planning clinic in case of an infection. For mans, discharge from the penis is not normal and quite likely indicates an STI. The quicker it is checked out the better.
Douching
The rinsing of the inside of the vagina with the use of pharmacy-bought products. It does not prevent against pregnancy nor sexually tranmitted infections (STIs) and can actually increase the risk for vaginal infections.
Dry Sex or Dry Humping
An act of mimicking sex by rubbing fully or partially-clothed bodies against each other or humping with clothes on.
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