Abstinence

the practice of refraining from a specific action or substance

Amniotic sac

1. the fluid-filled sac that contains and protects a fetus in the uterus.

Blastocysts

a crucial stage of early embryonic development (around day 5-6 post-fertilization) in mammals, characterized by a hollow ball of about 200 cells with an inner cell mass (which becomes the fetus) and an outer layer (trophectoderm, which forms the placenta)

Chromosomes

thread-like structures in the nucleus of cells that carry genetic information (DNA) organized into genes

Consent

Consent is freely given, enthusiastic, ongoing agreement or permission for something, crucial in all aspects of life, especially sex, meaning it must be clear, voluntary, and can be revoked anytime, with the absence of "no" or silence not implying "yes," and incapacity

Contraceptive

the use of medicines, devices, or surgery to prevent pregnancy.

Dating Violence

violence committed by a person who is or has been in a social relationship of a romantic or intimate nature with the victim

Estrogen

a key female hormone primarily made by ovaries, controlling sexual development, the menstrual cycle, and bone/heart health

Fertilization

the crucial process where a male sperm and a female egg (oocyte) fuse, combining their genetic material to form a single cell called a zygote

Fetus

an offspring of a human or other mammal in the stages of prenatal development that follow the embryo stage

Harassment

unwanted, aggressive, and often repeated behavior that threatens, intimidates, or demeans someone, causing distress and creating a hostile environment

Healthy Relationships

built on mutual respect, trust, open communication, and support

Menstruation

the monthly shedding of the uterine lining (endometrium) through the vagina

Ovaries

two small, almond-shaped glands in the female reproductive system that produce eggs (ova) and female hormones (estrogen and progesterone)

Puberty

the natural process of physical, cognitive, and emotional changes as a child develops into an adult

Semen

the whitish fluid ejaculated from the penis, primarily composed of sperm from the testes and fluids from glands like the seminal vesicles, prostate, and bulbourethral glands

Sexual abuse

Sexual abuse takes place when a person knowingly causes another person to engage in a sex act by threatening or placing the other person in fear, or if someone engages in a sexual act with a person who is incapable of appraising the nature of the act or unable to give consent

Sexually Transmitted Disease or Infection

chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, herpes, HPV, and HIV

Sperm

male reproductive cells, tiny, tadpole-shaped cells produced in the testes, carrying genetic material (DNA) in their head, powered by mitochondria in the midpiece, and propelled by a tail (flagellum) to swim towards and fertilize an egg for reproduction, forming a crucial part of semen, the fluid ejaculated during sex

Testosterone

primary male sex hormone

Zygote

the first single cell formed when a sperm fertilizes an egg