Glossary

chlamydia	A family of infections caused by a bacterium causing nongonococcal urethritis and epididymitis in men, and cervical infections and pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) in women.



conjoint therapy	Therapy with a couple together.



cunnilingus	Stimulation of the female genitals with the mouth.



desire stage	First stage of the human sexual response cycle according to Kaplan.



digital foreplay	Stimulation of the sexual organs with the fingers.



dyspareunia	Painful intercourse.



ejaculatory inhibition	Inability of the male to reach a climax.



erectile dysfunction	Inability of the male to maintain an erection so that coitus can take place.



erection	Swelling and firming of the sexual organs when they are stimulated.



erogenous zones	Sexually sensitive regions of the body.



excitement phase	Initial phase in the human sexual response cycle according to Masters and Johnson, and the second phase according to Kaplan.



fellatio	Stimulation of the male genitals with the mouth.



gonorrhea	A sexually transmitted disease caused by the gonococcus bacterium.



hepatitis B	An infectious disease of the liver.



herpes simplex	A sexually transmitted disease caused by a virus.



HIV/AIDS	Acquired immune deficiency syndrome; a sexually transmitted disease caused by the human immunodeficiency virus and characterized by irreversible damage to the body's immune system and, eventually, death.



human papillomavirus (HPV) (Genital Warts)	A sexually transmitted disease that causes genital warts to appear.



hypoactive sexual desire disorder	Sexual arousal and self-initiated sexual activity less frequent than once every 2 weeks, or absence or marked decrease in frequency of sexual fantasy.



lubrication	Inner secretions from the vaginal walls in the female or from the Cowper's glands in the male.



myotonia	Involuntary contractions of muscles.



nocturnal emissions	Male ejaculation during sleep.



orgasm	The sudden discharge of neuromuscular tension at the peak of sexual arousal.



orgasm dysfunction	Inability of the woman to reach a sexual climax.



orgasm phase	According to Masters and Johnson, the third phase in the human sexual response cycle, in which there is a sudden discharge of neuromuscular tension.



plateau phase	According to Masters and Johnson, the second phase in the human sexual response cycle, characterized by a high degree of sexual excitement and by a leveling off of sexual tension.



premature ejaculation	A man's inability to delay ejaculation long enough for intercourse to take place, or for his partner to have an orgasm 50% of the time.



primary erectile dysfunction	The inability to have an erection, where the condition has always existed.



pubic lice	Parasitic insects occupying hairy regions of the body that suck blood from their human hosts, causing itching.



resolution phase	According to Masters and Johnson, the final phase in the human sexual response cycle, which is characterized by a gradual return of the body to its unaroused state.



scabies	A parasitic infection of mites that burrow into the skin, lay eggs, and cause itching.



secondary erectile dysfunction	Inability to have an erection under certain circumstances or situations that have not always existed.



sex flush	Appearance of reddish, spotty, rashlike color on the skin during sexual arousal.



sexual dysfunction	A malfunction of the human sexual response system.



sexually transmitted disease (STD)	Disease transmitted through sexual contact.



syphilis	A sexually transmitted disease caused by a bacterium called a spirochete.



vaginismus	Involuntary contraction and spasming of the muscles of the vagina.



vasocongestion	Engorgement of the sexual body parts with blood, causing erection.



wet dreams	Erotic dreams while the man sleeps, leading to ejaculation.

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