Don't know what a word means?
Click on the letters below to find out more.
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Masturbate
This involves touching or stimulating your genitals or someone else's for the aim of sexual pleasure. Masturbation is natural and it is normal to want to explore your own body. This is also called wanking or 'solo' sex.
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Menstruation
This is the scientific term for when a girl, or someone with a female reproductive system has their period. A period is the shedding of the uterus lining every month if an egg is not fertilised by sperm.
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Mini-Pill
Also known as the progestogen-only pill, it prevents pregnancy by changing mucus in the vagina so any sperm can't reach the egg. See our Contraception page for more information.
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MLM, MSM
Men who love men, men who have sex with men
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Monogamous
Having a sexual or romantic relationship with one person at a time.
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Mutual masturbation
When people are masturbating at the same time as a form of sexual activity.
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Mycoplasma genitalium or MGen
This is an infection caught through unprotected sex. If it is left untreated it can cause pelvic inflammatory disease.
Click a button below to find a list of local services in your area if you need help or advice.
Are you ready to have sex?
It can be difficult to decide whether it's the right time for you to have sex. You should know that whatever anyone else might say, the decision to have sex for the first time or anytime is YOURS. It might feel ok to do it or it might not feel ok. You need to trust your instincts and do what is right for you.
Possible pages that this section could link to
Be clear on consent
It is important that sex is always consensual. This means being conscious enough and safe/comfortable enough to say yes to any type of sexual contact, whether that's talking about sex, touching, or taking part in sexual acts. It's about both parties feeling actively excited and comfortable in a sexual situation. Remember you can change your mind at any point, whether that means saying "no" or stopping any kind of activity.
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Contraception choices
If you are thinking about having sex and you don‘t want to become pregnant then you need to use a method of contraception. Most methods of contraception will not protect you from sexually transmitted infections so whatever method you choose you also need to think about protection (avoiding getting a sexually transmitted infection). For this you'll need to use condoms.
Possible pages that this section could link to
Do you need more help or advice?
If you still have unanswered questions, you can go to a service in your area for information & advice: