Glossary of terms

Anonymous screening

When your real name is not used as an identifier on your blood tests. Tests done in a sexual health clinic are fully confidential whether a real name is used or not. Anonymous screening, however, emphasises this and provides further reassurance for those who need it.

Anti-retroviral therapy (ARVs)

A course of powerful drugs prescribed to fight HIV.

Bacterial vaginosis

A change in the balance of naturally occurring bacteria in the vagina accompanied by increased vaginal discharge and a shift in the natural pH, which becomes alkaline.

Candida

A fungus, that can occur naturally in the vagina, but which may also overgrow to cause itching and soreness called thrush.

Chlamydia

A germ that is too small to live outside cells and which can cause infection in the womb and fallopian tubes of women. As it may also stay in the genital tract of men and women for years, without causing a problem for the carrier. Iit is possible for it to spread amongst a network of sexual partners without anyone knowing. Simple tests and treatment are widely available in the UK.

Cystitis

Soreness through inflammation of the bladder.

Discharge

A released fluid, e.g. vaginal discharge, relates to the natural fluid released from the opening of the vagina. This may change throughout the monthly menstrual cycle; changes in volume, colour and consistency may be perfectly healthy and normal.

Drug resistance

The ability of some germs to continue to live and multiply despite the presence of drugs that would usually stop them.

Emergency contraception (EC)

A form of contraception that attempts to avoid pregnancy immediately following an episode of unprotected sex. Most commonly pills containing one type of hormone – levonorgestrel – these work best the sooner they are taken. They cannot cause an abortion, as they do not work after implantation of an embryo.

Gonorrhoea

Inflammation of the genital tract caused by a bacteria called Neisseria gonorrhoeae. This usually causes painful urination in men but may not cause any easily recognised signs in women. Simple to find with modern tests, the recommended treatment has recently changed due to increasing drug resistance.

Hepatitis

Inflammation of the liver, which may have one of many causes, including germs that may be transmitted during sex. Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B have effective vaccines, which protect against them.

HPV Screening

A screening test for HPV, the virus which is present in almost all cervical cancers. More sensitive than a smear, it can detect changes which can lead to cervical cancer.

HPV Vaccination

A vaccine designed to guard against the two most common types of HPV that cause cervical cancer: 16 and 18. One of the vaccines also protects against HPV types which, instead, can cause the common genital wart: 6 and 11.

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)

The virus causing AIDs, Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome by progressively damaging the body's immune system. This may be passed on by sexual contact, from mother to child, or through blood.

Immunodeficiency

A lack of part of the body's natural defence system against infection.

Lichen Sclerosus

A skin condition where the body produces scar tissue in the skin itself, which then becomes less elastic and more fragile. The skin may feel itchy, sore or both, and the condition is easily mistaken as an infection, such as thrush. Serious scarring may result if this is left untreated.

Microbiocide

A product containing an active ingredient that can prevent the sexual passage of infections to protect your health. It contains ingredients that can help prevent sexually transmitted infections such as HIV.

Mini pill

A contraceptive containing progestogen only, which mimics the body's own hormone, progesterone.

Morning-after-pill (MAP)

A common phrase relating to emergency contraceptive pills. In fact ECS may be effective for up to 5 days after unprotected sex.

Mycoplasma

Minute bacteria that may be found in the genitourinary tract, with or without harmful effects.

Non-specific urethritis, NSU

Soreness inside the male urethra, which is the tube connecting the bladder to the end of the penis. This may cause pain when urine passes through the tube, as urine is acidic, or it may not. Just as a sore throat is sometimes related to an infection and at other times not, similarly NSU may be caused by germs, such as Chlamydia, or it may happen out of the blue, with no sign of infection. Antibiotics are usually given to cover the possibility of a chlamydial infection affecting a partner.

Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)

A serious complication of infections, such as chlamydia and gonococcus, this is when pain, disturbed periods, infertility and ectopic pregnancy are possible consequences.

Post-coital contraception

The use of an emergency contraceptive after unprotected sex.

Post-exposure prophylaxis

The use of powerful drugs to protect the body against infection from the HIV virus, following high risk unprotected sex. The drugs used are anti-retrovirals and should be started as soon as possible when clinically indicated after discussion with an expert.

Saliva test

A swab takes a specimen from the inside of the mouth to screen for a variety of infections. It is helpful for those who cannot have blood tests, for whatever reason. A doctor can discuss the relative sensitivities of this test for different infections.

Sexual Assault

Sexual assault ranges from indecent exposure, sexual threats and unwanted touching, to the most serious offences of rape or assault by penetration, including attempts, by any person.

Sexual Health

This has been defined by the United Nations as" the somatic, emotional, intellectual and social aspects of sexual being, in ways that are positively enriching and that enhance personality, communication, and love…"

Sexuality

Our individual expression of our sexual identity and response system, representing our mental, emotional and physical attributes.

Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI or STD)

A disease caused by germs that enter our body during sexual intercourse. A partner often shows no sign of an infection at the time that the germ is passed on.

Swab

A specimen taken with a bud of cotton wool or other absorbent material on one end of a small stick.

Syphilis

A serious disease caused by a bacterium called treponema pallidum. If left untreated over many years it may damage several internal organs. It can be treated with antibiotics.

Telephone consultation

A full medical consultation without the need for face-to-face contact. This may be done when screening tests do not require a clinical examination and when there is no clinical indication to do so. An example would be a male partner who feels absolutely fine and who wants a straightforward blood test to exclude HIV.

Trichomonas vaginalis

A parasite that may be spread through unprotected sex causing unpleasant soreness, painful urination in men or increased vaginal discharge in women.

Ureaplasma

Minute bacteria that may be found in the genitourinary tract, with or without harmful effects.

Vagina

The tube in a woman leading from the womb (uterus) to the external opening between the labia minora, called the introitus.

Vaginal pH

A measure of how acid or alkaline the natural vaginal fluid is at any particular point in time. This may change during the monthly menstrual cycle or with other factors. The natural pH during reproductive age is acidic. A change to an alkaline balance may be accompanied by an overgrowth of bacteria causing an unpleasant vaginal discharge; this is called bacterial vaginosis.

Vaginismus

When the vagina closes involuntarily and painfully. This usually occurs when an attempt is made to pass an object into the vagina, for instance during vaginal examination. This may prevent the physical the physical and emotional enjoyment of sex partially or entirely. Therapy is very successful in most cases.