2025-2026
The stage during which an individual reaches sexual maturity. - AnswersPuberty
The beginning of breast development in females. - AnswersThelarche
The primary male sex hormone produced by the testes. - AnswersTestosterone
The primary hormone responsible for female sex characteristics. - AnswersEstrogen
Stages of physical growth of the breasts and pubic hair in girls and the genitalia and pubic hair
in boys. - AnswersTanner Stages
During early adolescence (ages 12-13), the reproductive organs. - AnswersPrimary Sex
Characteristics
During early adolescence (ages 12-13), bodily traits that develop over time and are influenced by
a person's sex but not directly involved in reproduction. - AnswersSecondary Sex Characteristics
At the ages 13-15, boys start to experience nocturnal emissions which are orgasms and
emission of semen during sleep. Also called wet dreams. - AnswersNocturnal Emissions
Menarche (first menses) usually occurs within 2 years of the start of breast and pubic hair
changes. In the United States, the average age of menarche is 12 years old. - AnswersMenarche
The periodic shedding of the uterine lining in a woman of childbearing age who is not pregnant. -
AnswersMenstruation
Although menstruation-related staphylococcal toxic shock syndrome (TSS) is rare today, proper
teaching is a critical component in its prevention, especially among women ages 15-25, who
represent the group at greatest risk. Nurses should advise patients to change tampons every 4-
8 hours, alternate tampons with pads, and use tampons with the lowest absorbency necessary
for their menstrual flow.
Both patients and nurses should also be familiar with the symptoms of TSS, including nausea,
vomiting, sudden high fever, chills, dizziness, diarrhea, headaches, hypotension, conjunctivitis,
sunburn-like rash, and peeling skin on the hands and feet. When staphylococcal TSS is
suspected, immediate hospitalization is necessary to prevent shock, organ damage, and/or
death. - AnswersToxic Shock Syndrome
During middle adulthood, both men and women experience decreased hormone production,
causing the climacteric (transitional period in reproductive life). - AnswersClimacteric
A period of hormonal change during which the body gradually transitions toward permanent
,infertility. In women, the climacteric includes perimenopause. - AnswersA period of hormonal
change during which the body gradually transitions toward permanent infertility. In women, the
climacteric includes perimenopause.
The permanent cessation of menses. - AnswersMenopause
A relationship that entails commitment, companionship, affective intimacy, social support,
physical closeness, and mutuality. - AnswersIntimacy
A state of physical, emotional, mental, and social well-being in relation to sexuality, not merely
the absence of disease, dysfunction, or infirmity. Sexual health requires a positive and
respectful approach to sexuality and sexual relationships. - AnswersSexual Health
How one values oneself as a sexual being. - AnswersSexual Self-Concept
The mental image of the physical self. - AnswersBody Image
One's self-image as a female or male. - AnswersGender Identity
The outward expression of an individual's sense of maleness or femaleness as well as the
expression of what is perceived as gender-appropriate behavior. - AnswersGender-Role Behavior
The sexual attraction of an individual to the same sex, the opposite sex, or both sexes. -
AnswersSexual Orientation
Individuals who are attracted to individuals of both genders. - AnswersBisexual.
A general term used to describe a variety of conditions in which reproductive or sexual anatomy
does not fit the typical definitions of male or female. - AnswersIntersex
Gradations of human characteristics running from female to male; more commonly, an
individual who expresses a gender identity different from that with which he or she was born. -
AnswersTransgender
Someone who was assigned the female gender at birth but now emotionally and psychologically
identifies as a man. - AnswersTransgender Man
Someone who was assigned the male gender at birth but now emotionally and psychologically
identifies as a woman. - AnswersTransgender Woman
An individual who feels his or her sexual anatomy is not consistent with his or her gender
identity. - AnswersTranssexual
Involves the individuals having strong and persistent feelings of discomfort with their assigned
genders. - AnswersGender Dysphoria
The self-stimulation of one's genitals for sexual pleasure. - AnswersMasturbation
, Masturbation shared with a partner, can provide sexual pleasuring and intimacy without hurrying
to genital interaction before both partners are ready. It is also a safe alternative to unprotected
genital sex. - AnswersMutual Masturbation
Kissing, licking, or sucking of the genitals for sexual pleasure. - AnswersOral-Genital Sex
Male-to-female or female-to-female oral-genital sex. This involves kissing, licking, or sucking of
the female genitals, including the mons pubis, vulva, clitoris, labia, and vagina. -
AnswersCunnilingus
Female-to-male or male-to-male oral stimulation of the penis by licking and sucking. -
AnswersFellatio
Simultaneous oral-genital stimulation by two individuals. - AnswersSixty-Nine
The stimulation of the anus with the fingers, mouth, or sex toys for sexual pleasure. -
AnswersAnal Stimulation
Penetration of the vagina by the penis. Also called coitus. - AnswersGenital Intercourse
Among heterosexual couples, penile-vaginal intercourse (coitus) is common. - AnswersPenile-
Vaginal Intercourse
During which the penis is inserted into the anus and rectum of the partner. - AnswersAnal
Intercourse
The most common model of the sexual response cycle was proposed by Masters and Johnson
in 1966, and it involves four phases: excitement, plateau, orgasm, and resolution. -
AnswersSexual Response Cycle
The sexual response cycle starts in the brain with conscious sexual desires. Sexually arousing
stimuli, often called erotic stimuli, may be real or symbolic. Sight, hearing, smell, touch, and
imagination can all invoke arousal. - AnswersErotic Stimuli
This second phase of the sexual response cycle is marked by an increase in blood flow to
various body parts, resulting in erection of the penis and clitoris and swelling of the labia, testes,
and breasts. - AnswersExcitement Phase
A phase of the sexual response cycle during which individuals experience strong, prolonged
sexual arousal. The plateau phase is typically maintained by physical stimulation. -
AnswersPlateau Phase
The phase of the sexual response cycle that is marked by the involuntary release of sexual
tension accompanied by physiologic and psychologic release. - AnswersOrgasmic phase
Sperm mixed with seminal fluid, ejaculated during sexual activity. - AnswersSemen