- S -

S&M: Abbreviation for sadomasochism.
sadism: A sexual variation in which the person derives sexual pleasure from inflicting pain on someone else.
sadomasochism (S&M): A popular, nonclinical term for behaviors that involve both sexual sadism as well as masochism, often in a consensual, role-playing manner.
safer sex: Sexual activities that do not involve the exchange of bodily fluids. Used to prevent the transmission of diseases such as HIV.
salpingitis: Infection of the fallopian tubes.
saltpeter: A diuretic that was once believed (incorrectly) to prevent boys from masturbating.
sarcoptes scabiei: The mite that causes scabies.
satyriasis: A pejorative, unscientific term that is used to refer to sexual behavior or desire in men that is considered "excessive" or "abnormal.". It is the male analogue of the more common term "nymphomania."
scabies: An contagious skin condition that characterized by an intensely itchy rash and caused by a barely visible mite that burrows under the skin.
screw: Slang term for intercourse.
scripts: Unconscious, socially and culturally determined plans that individuals use to organize and guide their behavior.
scrotum: The pouch of skin that contains the testes.
secondary sex characteristics: The physical characteristics other than the sex organs, that distinguish men from women (e.g. breasts, facial hair, etc.)
secretory phase: The phase of the menstrual cycle during which the endometrium begins to prepare for the arrival of a fertilized ovum
semen: The alkaline fluid expelled from the penis during ejaculation, containing fluids combined from several glands as well as sperm.
seminal fluid: Another term for semen.
seminal vesicles: One of two glands lying on either side of the prostate which secrete much of the fluid in semen.
seminiferous tubules: Tightly coiled tubules in the testes that manufacture sperm.
sensate focus: An exercise prescribed by sex therapists that concentrates on touch and the giving and receiving of pleasure in a nondemand situation as opposed to focusing on intercourse and achieving orgasm.
serial monogamy: An increasingly common form of dating and marriage in which a person mates with just one other person at a time but then ends that relationship and forms another.
seroconversion: The process by which a person develops antibodies.
serostatus: The absence or presence of antibodies for a particular antigen.
sex flush: A rash that appears on the skin during sexual arousal due to vasocongestion.
sex guilt: A sense of guilt resulting from the violation of personal standards of proper sexual behavior.
sex reassignment surgery: Surgery which alters the physical characteristics of an individual of one gender to resemble that of the other.
sex role: Less used term for gender role.
sex toy: A device, such as a vibrator or dildo, designed to enhance sexual pleasure.
sex-change operation: The surgery done on transsexuals to change their anatomy to that of the other gender.
sexology: The scientific study of sexuality.
sexologist: A professional who studies sexual science.
sexual aggression: Any kind of sexual activity against a person's will.
sexual arousal disorder: Failure to obtain or maintain erection or vaginal lubrication, despite adequate interest and stimulation.
sexual aversion disorder: A dysfunction characterized by extreme dislike and avoidance of sexual activities.
sexual coercion: A broad term referring to any kind of sexual activity that is forced on another person through the use of force, pressure, alcohol and drugs, or authority.
sexual double standard: The view that a particular behavior is acceptable for one gender but not the other.
sexual dysfunction: A difficulty with sexual responding that causes a person subjective distress (e.g. anorgasmia).
sexual enhancement: Improvement or enrichment of sexual relationships among otherwise healthy, well-functioning individuals.
sexual harassment: The use of status and/or power for sexual ends.
sexual identity: A person's sense of their sexual orientation, whether heterosexual, homosexual, or bisexual.
sexual masochism: A sexual variation in which the individual derives sexual pleasure from experiencing pain.
sexual orientation: The pattern of sexual, social, romantic, cognitive and emotional attraction based on the gender of one's partner.
sexual sadism: A sexual variation in which the individual derives sexual pleasure from inflicting pain.
sexual selection: An evolutionary theory used sometimes in an attempt to explain gender differences.
sexual surrogate: A member of a sex therapy team whose has sexual interactions with a client as part of their therapy.
sexual variation: Sexual behavior that is not part of the norms for a given culture; atypical sexuality.
sexually explicit material: Material that graphically depicts sexual activities.
sexually oriented material: Materials such as photographs, videos, films, magazines, CD-ROMs or books whose primary themes or depictions involve sex.
sexually transmitted diseases: Those illness that are communicated to another person via sexual contact.
shaft: The body of the penis.
Skene's glands: Glands opening into the urethra.
smegma: A cheesy substance formed by several small glands beneath the foreskin of the penis and hood of the clitoris.
socialization: The process of developing the skills needed to interact with others in one's culture.
sociobiology: A theory that uses evolutionary biology to explain the social behavior of all animals, including humans.
sodomy: An ambiguous legal term which, depending on the jurisdiction, which refers to so called "unnatural acts" such as anal intercourse, sexual relations with animals, or oral sex.
softcore: Nonexplicit sexually oriented material.
spectatoring: The process in which a person begins to observe and evaluate his or her sexual activities, rather than merely enjoying them, thereby often causing sexual dysfunctions or disorders.
sperm: The male reproductive cell.
spermarche: The beginning of the ability to ejaculate sperm in adolescent boys.
spermatic cord: The cord suspending the testicle within the scrotum, containing nerves, blood vessels, and the vas deferens.
spermatogenesis: The production of sperm.
spermatozoan: Sperm.
spermicide: A substance that acts to kill or immobilize sperm; usually used as a contraceptive.
spinnbarkeit: The elasticity of preovulatory cervical mucus.
spirochete: The type of spiral shaped bacteria that causes syphilis.
spontaneous abortion: The natural expulsion of the conceptus; commonly referred to as miscarriage.
squeeze technique: A technique used by sex therapists for the treatment of premature ejaculation in which the man or his partner squeezes the erect penis below the glans when he feels the likelihood of ejaculating, thereby reducing the urge.
start-stop: A sex therapy technique in which a man learns to control ejaculation by repeatedly ceasing stimulation prior to orgasm.
statutory rape: Sexual intercourse with a person who is under the legal age of consent.
STD: Acronym for Sexually Transmitted Disease.
sterile: Incapable of reproducing.
sterilization: A surgical procedure performed to make an individual incapable of reproduction.
straight: Heterosexual.
suction abortion: An abortion technique in which the conceptus is removed from the uterus via a suction machine; also called vacuum aspiration.
surrogate mother: A woman who, through artificial insemination, intercourse, or in vitro fertilization, gives birth to an infant for someone else.
swingers: Individuals who do not believe in monogamy, or engage in activities involving sexual activities with their primary partner and others simultaneously, such as in "wife swapping."
sympto-thermal method: A fertility awareness method combining the BBT, calendar and mucous methods.
syphilis: An STD caused by the Treponema pallidum bacterium.
systematic desensitization: A behavior therapy technique often useful with sexual phobias in which deep muscle relaxation is used to reduce the anxiety associated with certain situations.