Sex Education Glossary

DENTAL DAM

A square piece of latex rubber that people can use during oral sex to help prevent getting STDs, including HIV. It is put over the anus or vagina to prevent blood or sexual fluids from passing between partners during oral sex.

DIAGNOSE

To tell when a person is infected or sick with a specific disease or illness.

DIAPHRAGM

A soft, rubber cup that fits into the vagina and covers the cervix. It is used with spermicidal cream or jelly. A doctor must fit a woman's diaphragm, sized to her cervix, so that it is comfortable and will work properly to prevent pregnancy. The diaphragm does not protect the male or female from HIV or germs that cause other STDs.

DISCHARGE

When talking about infections of the vagina, penis or anus, discharge is often a symptom of an infection. The infection may or may not be caused by a sexually transmitted disease. Discharge can be difference colors, such as white, yellow, or green. There can be a little or a lot of discharge and it may cause itching, pain, or burning.

DOUCHING

Using plain water, water mixed with vinegar, or a special solution for douching to wash the vagina and cervix. Douching won't prevent the transmission of STDs and it can't keep a woman from getting pregnant. Douching can even cause a woman to get an infection. For most women, douching is unnecessary because the vagina is a self-cleaning organ with its own secretions.

DYSPLASIA

An abnormal change in cells. Human papillomavirus (genital or warts) can cause dysplasia of the cervix.