Definitions

Anatomy

The structure of the body.

Cisgender (cis)

A term used to describe people whose gender matches the sex that was recorded for them at birth based on their physical appearance (i.e., male or female). ‘Cis’ is a latin term meaning ‘on the same side as’. 

Clitoris (clit)

An organ that that contains a large number of nerve endings and serves only to provide sexual pleasure. It is mostly located internally, with just the tip visible at the top of the vulva.

Clitoral hood

The small flap of skin that surrounds and protects the tip of the clitoris.

Cosmetic surgeon

A medical practitioner who performs procedures to alter a person’s appearance, solely for aesthetic reasons.

Cyst

A small pocket of tissue often filled with fluid or pus. Cysts can occur due to an injury, infection, or other issues.

Female genital cosmetic surgery

Surgical procedures that aim to change the look or function of the vulva or vagina. The most common of these procedures is labiaplasty.

Female genital mutilation or cutting (FGM/C)

Procedures that involve the partial or total removal of the external female genitalia, or other injury to the female genital organs, for non-medical reasons.

Gender

Characteristics associated with masculinity and femininity that relate to norms, behaviours, roles and stereotypes rather than physical body parts.

Gender affirming surgery

Surgical procedures that alter a person’s physical appearance and sexual characteristics to match their gender (e.g. vaginoplasty).

Gender diverse

An umbrella term that is used to describe people who don’t identify as either a woman or man, or who have a culturally specific gender.

General practitioner (GP)

A doctor based in the community who treats patients with minor or chronic illnesses and refers those with serious conditions to a hospital or specialist.

Genitalia/Genitals

Sexual organs.

Gynaecologist

A doctor who specialises in female reproductive health.

Intersex

Intersex people have innate sex characteristics (such as chromosomes, hormones and genitalia) that don’t fit medical and social norms for female or male sex categories.

Labia

The lips/folds that surround the vaginal opening.

Labia majora

The outer lips/folds that go from the anus to the mons pubis.

Labia minora

The inner lips/folds that sit between the labia majora.

Labiaplasty

A surgical procedure that involves modifying the labia minora and/or labia majora. It is usually performed for cosmetic reasons.

Menopause

The period of time when menstruation stops permanently.

Mons pubis

An area of fatty tissue that sits over the pubic bone.

Oestrogen/Estrogen

One of the main sex hormones. It plays an important role in puberty, the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, bone strength and other bodily functions. All people produce oestrogen to different degrees. 

Peri-menopause

The transitional period of time before menopause, during which the ovaries gradually produce less oestrogen and the menstrual cycle becomes irregular.

Plastic surgeon

A doctor who specialises in performing surgical procedures to repair or restore function to parts of the body, or alter a person’s appearance.

Progesterone

A sex hormone that plays an important role in the menstrual cycle and the early stages of pregnancy.

Psychologist

A professional who specialises in the treatment of mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders.

Puberty

The period of life when a child experiences physical and hormonal changes that mark a transition into adulthood.

Sex

Sex refers to certain physical characteristics which include genitalia, sex chromosomes, and hormones. These are usually put in groups understood as ‘female’ and ‘male’ and are used at birth to decide the sex of a baby. Some people have groups of sex characteristics that don’t fit into these two groups; this is called being intersex.

Sexually transmitted infection (STI)

An infection or condition that is spread most commonly through unprotected sexual contact.

Testosterone

One of the main sex hormones. It contributes to many important functions, such as deepening of the voice during puberty and facial hair growth. All people produce testosterone to different degrees.  

Thrush

A yeast infection that can occur in different parts of the body, including the mouth, throat and vagina.

Transgender (trans)

An umbrella term used to refer to people whose assigned sex at birth does not match their gender identity.

Urethra

The tiny opening through which urine passes.

Vagina

A tube that connects the vulva (external genitals) to the cervix. It is mostly located internally, with only the opening visible from the outside.

Vaginoplasty

A surgical procedure to create a vulva and vagina, commonly using skin from the penis and scrotum.

Vulva

The proper name for all the parts that make up the outer female genitalia.