Welcome to the Glossary—where we break down the big words, the awkward ones, and the ones no one taught you in health class. No shame. No jargon. Just the terms you’ll see on our site and maybe even hear from your doctor, explained in real-people language.
General Intimate Health Terms
Adenomyosis is when the lining of the uterus grows into the muscle wall, causing heavy periods, cramping, and pelvic pain.
AFAB (“assigned female at birth”) and AMAB (“assigned male at birth”) describe the sex someone was labeled at birth. These terms replace outdated phrases like “biological female/male.”
BV is a common vaginal infection caused by an imbalance of bacteria. It often leads to thin, fishy-smelling discharge and may come back even after treatment.
The Bartholin glands are tiny glands at the vaginal opening that make lubrication. If their ducts get blocked, they can form a fluid-filled lump called a Bartholin’s cyst.
Chlamydia is one of the most common STIs. Many people have no symptoms, but it can cause discharge, painful urination, or pelvic pain — and it’s easily treated with antibiotics.
Cisgender (or cis) means a person’s gender identity matches the sex they were assigned at birth.
Cishet describes someone who is both cisgender and heterosexual.
A medical term for menstrual cramps.
Dyspareunia means pain during or after sex. It can be caused by dryness, tight pelvic floor muscles, infections, or conditions like vulvodynia.
Vaginal dysbiosis is when the healthy bacteria in the vagina get out of balance, making infections like BV or yeast more likely.
Endometriosis is when tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows outside it — often on the ovaries or fallopian tubes — causing pelvic pain, painful sex, or fertility issues.
The endometrium is the inner lining of the uterus that thickens each cycle and sheds during your period.
Female genital mutilation (FGM) is the cutting or altering of female genitals for non-medical reasons. It is harmful, has no health benefits, and can cause lifelong physical and emotional damage.
Folliculitis is irritation or infection of hair follicles, often from shaving, waxing, or tight clothing. It can cause red bumps or ingrown hairs.
“Frozen peas for swelling” is a common DIY remedy people use after sex, childbirth, or waxing. Private Packs were designed to replace this — cleaner, safer, and made to actually fit.
An individual 's internal, innate sense of their gender (regardless of the sex/gender they were assigned at birth).
Shaving, waxing, or laser hair removal can cause irritation, redness, ingrown hairs, or swelling on the vulva and bikini line.
Shifts in hormones — especially during perimenopause or menopause — can cause dryness, irritation, or pain in the vulva and vagina.
Hot and cold therapy uses temperature to relieve discomfort: heat relaxes muscles and improves circulation, while cold reduces swelling and numbs pain.
HPV is a very common virus with many types. Some cause no symptoms, while others can lead to genital warts or cervical cancer. Vaccines protect against the most harmful strains.
This condition happens when pelvic floor muscles are too tight to relax, leading to pain, urinary issues, or pain during sex.
A hysterectomy is surgery to remove the uterus. It may be done for conditions like fibroids, cancer, or severe pain.
An IUD is a small T-shaped device placed in the uterus for long-acting birth control. The copper version is hormone-free and over 99% effective.
An IUS is a hormonal IUD that slowly releases progestogen to prevent pregnancy. Like the copper IUD, it’s long-acting and highly effective.
Lactobacilli are the “good bacteria” that keep the vagina’s pH slightly acidic, protecting against infections like BV and yeast.
An acronym for lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer, intersex, and asexual, with the “+” including other sexualities and gender identities.
A skin condition that can sometimes affect the vulva, causing itching, pain, or sores.
A chronic skin condition of the vulva that causes thinning, itching, or pain. It can flare over time and may need ongoing care.
Your first period, which typically starts during puberty.
Menopause is when periods permanently stop, usually in your late 40s or 50s. Hormone changes can cause dryness, hot flashes, and vulva pain.
Menstruation, or your period, is the monthly bleeding that happens when the uterus sheds its lining.
The vaginal microbiome is the mix of bacteria and yeast inside the vagina. When balanced, it protects against infections like BV and yeast; when disrupted, it can cause irritation.
Non-binary is an umbrella term for people whose gender identity isn’t exclusively male or female.
Ovulation is when an ovary releases an egg, usually about two weeks before your period.
PCOS is a hormonal condition where the ovaries make extra androgens. It can cause irregular periods, excess hair growth, and fertility struggles.
PID is an infection of the uterus, fallopian tubes, or ovaries. It may cause pelvic pain, discharge, or fever, and can affect fertility if untreated.
Perimenopause is the transition leading up to menopause. Hormone shifts can cause irregular periods, dryness, hot flashes, and pain with sex.
The perineum is the area of skin and muscle between the vulva and the anus. It’s often affected by childbirth, surgery, or swelling.
Postpartum recovery is the healing period after childbirth. It may involve stitches, swelling, bleeding, or perineal pain — and often needs extra comfort and care.
A smear test (Pap test) checks the cervix for abnormal cells and HPV to help prevent cervical cancer.
STIs are infections passed through sexual contact, like chlamydia, gonorrhea, or HPV. Some are easily treated, others may need longer care.
The vulva and bikini area can get irritated or burned from sun exposure, harsh soaps, or chemical products. Cooling therapy helps calm redness and discomfort.
Thrush, also called a yeast infection, happens when Candida yeast grows too much in the vagina. It can cause itching, irritation, and thick white discharge.
TSS is a rare but serious illness caused by bacterial toxins. It’s most often linked to tampon use but can affect anyone.
Transgender describes people whose gender identity is different from the sex they were assigned at birth.
The vaginal canal is the internal passage from the vaginal opening to the cervix.
The vaginal microbiome is the balance of bacteria and yeast inside the vagina. A healthy balance protects against infections like BV and yeast.
Vaginismus is when the vaginal muscles tighten involuntarily, making sex, tampon use, or exams painful.
Vaginitis is a broad term for vaginal inflammation, often caused by infections (like yeast or BV), hormonal changes, or irritants.
The vulva is the external genital area, including the labia, clitoris, and vaginal opening. It’s what most people mean when they say “vagina.”
Vulvar dermatitis is skin irritation from things like soaps, pads, detergents, or chemicals. It often causes itching, burning, or redness.
Vulvitis means inflammation of the vulva, often from infection, friction, or allergic reactions.
Vulvodynia is chronic vulva pain or burning without a clear cause. It may flare during sex, tampon use, sitting, or even wearing tight clothes.
A yeast infection, also called thrush, happens when Candida yeast grows too much in the vagina. It can cause itching, burning, and thick white discharge.
Symptoms and Therapies
An increase in size or puffiness, often from irritation, childbirth, or waxing. Cold therapy can help reduce swelling.
A sign of irritation or inflammation. Common after waxing, sex, or friction.
A stinging or hot sensation in the vulva or vagina, often linked to infections, irritation, or skin conditions.
Acute pain: Short-term pain from triggers like waxing, sex, or surgery.
Chronic pain: Long-lasting pain, often linked to conditions like vulvodynia or lichen sclerosus.
Heat applied with moisture, like a warmed damp cloth or moistened sleeve. It penetrates deeper than dry heat.
Heat applied without moisture, like a warm compress or dryer-warmed sleeve. Offers surface-level comfort.
The use of cold to reduce swelling, numb pain, or calm irritation.