The termination of a pregnancy. This may happen on its own (spontaneous abortion or ‘miscarriage’) or it can be the result of a medical procedure (induced abortion). In countries where abortion is illegal, like Uganda, abortion services can be dangerous. If it is not performed by a medical doctor or gynecologist, it is often done in a rushed and unhygienic manner that puts women’s health at great risk. An abortion is safe when it is performed by professional, trained and well-equipped service providers in a hygienic setting.
Glossary
Pregnancy For Boys And Girls
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Abstinence
To avoid doing something. For example, you can decide to abstain from all sexual activities or only from sexual intercourse or from drugs or alcohol. Not engaging in those sexual activities that can put a person at risk of infections, including STIs and HIV, or pregnancy.
Acne
A skin problem experienced mainly during puberty and marked by a lot of pimples or spots, especially in the face.
AIDS
Acquired Immuno-Deficiency Syndrome, a fatal disease in which the human immune system is weakened by the HIV virus and cannot guard the individual against any disease-causing organisms, even those that can be treated with drugs. AIDS is the final stage of an infection with the HIV virus (Human Immuno-deficiency Virus), which is transmitted through blood and bodily fluids (semen and vaginal fluids). AIDS in itself is not the cause of death. People who die of AIDS actually die of other infections to which the body does not have any resistance as a result of its weakened immune system.
Anaemia
A health condition in which the blood is ‘weak and thin’. It is often caused by lack of oxygen in body cells and organs, which can result in tiredness, pale gums, tongue, eyelids, palms and soles of the feet, and lack of energy and fainting.
Anal Sex
Sexual intercourse not via the vagina, but via the anus of the partner (male or female). Anal intercourse without a condom is an extremely high-risk behaviour for the spread of HIV and STIs. Blood vessels in the anal opening may rupture and blood may mingle with semen of a partner with STI or HIV.
Antenatal
The period before birth. For example, antenatal care is the care needed by a woman throughout her pregnancy.
Antiseptic Soaps
Soaps that contain a medical substance that prevents the growth of bacteria. Antiseptics are used to prevent infections.
Anus
The opening of the body where food waste (faeces) comes out.
Calendar Method
A traditional method of natural family planning (also known as rhythm method). The fertile phase (the days around the ovulation when an mature egg cell is present) of the menstrual cycle must be determined by calculating the length of at least six previous menstrual cycles. To prevent pregnancy, this method requires not having sexual intercourse during the calculated fertile days of a woman’s menstrual cycle. When used alone, the calendar method is very unreliable, especially for girls and women with irregular menstrual cycles, and may be overly restrictive for some couples. This method does not prevent STIs, including HIV.
Conception
Beginning of pregnancy, when the male sperm cells fertilizes the female egg.
Condom
A sheath of latex rubber worn on the erect penis during sexual intercourse (also called rubber or protector). The condom must be put on before the penis touches any part of the woman’s external genitals to prevent the mixing of semen with either the vaginal, oral or anal regions. It is the most effective and safe contraceptive method to prevent pregnancy, HIV, and other STIs.
Contraceptives
Contraceptives prevent you from becoming pregnant when you have sex. The safest methods for young people are the contraceptive pill, condoms (both female and male), the IUD and injections. None of these methods are permanent; when you stop using them, you are fertile again.
Diaphragm
A dome-shaped rubber cup (also called cervical cap) used in conjunction with spermicidal gel/cream that covers the opening to the cervix and uterus to prevent sperm cells from entering the uterus. It is effective at preventing pregnancy but does not protect against STIs, including HIV.
Ejaculation
The release of semen containing sperm cells (if the man has not been sterilized) from a man’s penis. If the man is sterilized, the semen does not contain sperm cells. Rhythmic contractions in males that propel the semen out of the penis in spurts.
Embryo
The term used between the second and eighth week of pregnancy to refer to the mass of cells that will become a foetus and, after birth, a baby.
Emergency Contraception
A contraceptive method that can be used to prevent pregnancy after unprotected sexual intercourse, for example, if the condom broke or slipped. To be effective in preventing pregnancy, emergency contraception must be taken within 72 hours of unprotected sexual intercourse. Emergency contraception does not cause abortion and does not prevent STIs, including HIV.
Family Planning
Family planning means planning how to improve the quality of family life. It includes:
1. taking decisions on regulating and spacing childbirth;
2. choosing suitable contraceptive methods;
3. helping childless couples to have children;
4. counselling of both parents and would-be parents;
5. developing the necessary parental, social and family budgeting skills.
Female Condom
A polyurethane pouch that has two flexible rings on either end. One ring is inserted into the vagina and the other ring stays outside the vagina. The ring helps to hold the female condom in place. They can be purchased without a prescription and can be used during anal intercourse as well. Female condoms can be inserted before starting the foreplay, and should not be used at the same time as male condoms. With perfect use, they can be 95% effective in preventing pregnancy and can also prevent some STIs.
Fertile
The ability to create a baby. Both men and women can be fertile.
Fertility
The ability to reproduce.
Foetus
The term used to refer to a baby in the uterus (womb) from the ninth week of pregnancy until birth.
Hormonal Methods
Another type of contraceptive methods (as opposed to barrier methods) that work by changing a woman’s body chemistry. Certain chemical substances in hormonal contraceptive methods mimic the oestrogen and/or progestin hormones that females naturally produce. The contraceptives that include oestrogen prevent the release of an egg from the ovaries, while the methods containing progestin make the uterus an unfriendly environment for sperm and implantation. Hormonal contraceptive methods do not prevent STIs, including HIV.
Implantation
When a fertilized egg attaches itself to the lining or wall or the uterus (womb). This is the beginning of a pregnancy.
Implants
A (hormonal) contraceptive method in which six small tubes containing hormones are put under the skin in a women’s upper arm by a specially trained health worker (for example, Norplant). Implants prevent pregnancy for about five years, but can be removed sooner if the woman wants to become pregnant. They do not prevent STIs, including HIV.
Infertility
Inability to create a baby or to reproduce, which can be temporary. When permanent, it is called sterility. Both men and women can be infertile.
IUD
Intra-uterine device is a small piece of copper placed inside the uterus by a professional health worker in a health center. It gives protection for up to 10 years, but is not very suitable for young girls.
Lining
During the body’s preparation for pregnancy, the endometrium in the uterus will grow thicker. This is called the lining: it grows and is shed during the menstrual cycle.
Menstruation (or menstrual period, monthly period)
Periodical cycle in women in which an egg is released from the ovary once a month, and the uterine wall is thickened to prepare for the fertilized egg to settle in it. If fertilization does not occur, then the uterine lining is shed with discharge of blood after 3-6 days.
Menstruation starts during adolescence, mostly between the ages of 10-15, and ends between the ages of 45-55.
Menstruation Cycle
The monthly process in the female body, which involves the release of an egg, the preparation of the body for pregnancy and the release of the lining of the uterus if no pregnancy occurs. In a 28-day menstrual cycle, the egg leaves the ovary approximately 14 days after the first day of a woman’s period.
Ovulation
The release of an egg from one of the ovaries into the fallopian tube. It usually occurs 14 days before the next menstrual period.
Penis
The male sex organ, also used to pass urine as well as semen.
Period
See menstruation.
Pill
A hormonal contraceptive method that prevents the monthly release of an egg from the woman’s ovaries (ovulation). The pill must be taken every day, except for the ‘stop-week’, in which a woman does not take the pill and a menstruation will occur. This contraceptive method does not prevent STIs, including HIV. If you have forgotten to take the pill: keep on taking the pill for the rest of the month until you start with the next series of pills. For protection against pregnancy, abstinence or another contraceptive method (condom) needs to be used, because protection by the pill during the actual period is not certain when you have missed a pill.
Pre-ejaculation Fluid
A small amount of fluid at the tip of a man’s penis as it becomes erect (also called pre-cum). This small drop is called pre-ejaculation fluid because it appears before ejaculation. It can contain sperm cells and can cause pregnancy.
Pregnancy Test
A test to determine whether or not a woman is pregnant. Pregnancy tests come in two varieties: a urine test and a blood test. The urine test is by far the most widely used and can easily be used by every woman within 10-14 days after unprotected sexual intercourse.
Premature Ejaculation
Early ejaculation when a man cannot recognize that he is about to ejaculate and, therefore, is unable to control it.
Pulling Out
This is an unreliable method of birth control whereby a guy pulls his penis out of his partner’s vagina just before ejaculation (also known as withdrawal or coitus interruptus). It is not recommended, but it is better than not using any method of birth control. This method does not protect against STIs and HIV.
Sperm Cells
The male’s reproductive cells. These are tiny cells, produced in the testicles beginning at puberty and normally continuing well into a man’s 70s, which can fertilize a woman’s egg, leading to pregnancy. When a male ejaculates, between two to seven million sperm cells leave his body.
Spermicide
Spermicide is a contraceptive method. It is a slippery cream or gel that kills sperm cells. It comes in a variety of forms, including gel, cream, foam, suppositories and film, which can be purchased in most drug or grocery stores without a prescription. Typically, it is used together with another method like a diaphragm or condoms. You can also purchase condoms that are already lubricated with spermicide.
Testosterone
The male hormone produced in a man’s body, regulating man’s fertility and causing male secondary sexual characteristics.
Tubal ligation
A surgical contraceptive method in which a female’s fallopian tubes are cut to prevent ova (eggs) from entering the uterus. A woman will continue to menstruate when she has had a tubal ligation. It is a permanent procedure and is also referred to as female sterilization or ‘getting tubes tied’. Similar to its male version, vasectomy, it provides no protection against STI’s or HIV.
Uterus
The muscular organ inside a woman’s belly in which the foetus develops during pregnancy. Also called the womb.
Vaginal Fluids
The discharge of fluid that comes out of a woman’s vagina. Strangely coloured and bad smelling discharge may indicate an infection.
Withdrawal
A highly unreliable method of birth control that occurs when a guy pulls his penis out of his partner’s vagina just before ejaculation, also known as ‘pulling out’ or ‘coitus interruptus’. It is not recommended at all, but it is better than not using any method of birth control. This method does not protect against STIs, including HIV.
Womb
Another term for uterus.