Abstinence
the voluntary, conscious practice of refraining from specific, often enjoyable, activities or substances
Amniotic sac
a thin, tough, transparent pair of membranes (the amnion and chorion) that surround a developing fetus in the uterus
Blastocysts
an early-stage embryo, formed 5–6 days after fertilization, consisting of a fluid-filled ball of 100–200 cells
Chromosomes
thread-like structures located inside the nucleus of animal and plant cells, composed of DNA tightly coiled around proteins
Consent
Consent is a free, voluntary, knowing, and active agreement to participate in specific activities, such as sexual acts, and is communicated through clear words or actions. It is not coerced, forced, or implied by silence or past behavior. Consent must be ongoing and can be withdrawn at any time.
Contraceptive
any device, medication, method, or procedure used to prevent pregnancy.
Dating Violence
any type of verbal, emotional, physical, or sexual abuse that occurs between two people identified as being in a dating relationship
Estrogen
Estrogen is a group of primary female sex hormones responsible for the development and regulation of the female reproductive system and secondary sex characteristics
Fertilization
the biological process involving the fusion of male and female gametes (sperm and egg) to form a zygote, initiating the development of a new individual organism
Fetus
the unborn offspring of a viviparous mammal, developing from an embryo into a more recognizable form
Harassment
Harassment is unwanted, unwelcome, and uninvited behavior—verbal, physical, or electronic
Healthy Relationships
mutual respect, trust, honesty, and open communication, where both partners feel safe, supported, and free to maintain their individuality
Menstruation
the normal, monthly shedding of the uterine lining (endometrium) in people with a uterus, typically lasting 3–7 days
Ovaries
a pair of small, oval-shaped endocrine glands in the female reproductive system located on either side of the uterus
Puberty
the biological process of physical and hormonal changes through which a child’s body matures into an adult body capable of sexual reproduction
Semen
a thick, whitish-gray bodily fluid released from the male reproductive tract during ejaculation.
Sexual abuse
It is often perpetrated using physical force
Sexually Transmitted Disease or Infection
an infection passed from person to person through vaginal, anal, or oral sexual contact
Sperm
the microscopic, tadpole-shaped male reproductive cells (gametes) produced in the testes, designed to fertilize a female egg (ovum) to create an embryo
Testosterone
the primary male sex hormone and an anabolic steroid,
Zygote
the initial, single cell formed by the union of a female gamete (egg) and a male gamete (sperm) during fertilization