| HOME Other Health Articles A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | Y | Z halo effect: The tendency to judge a likeable, attractive, or intelligent person as being “good” in other aspects as well and to overlook his or her undesirable traits. hepatitis B: A viral infection of the liver, characterized by long- term presence of the virus in the blood and an increased risk of liver cancer in infected persons. hermaphroditism: Having both ovarian and testicular tissue in the same individual. herpes: A viral infection producing cold-sore-like blisters in the genitals and mouth. herpes simplex viruses (types 1 and 2): The viruses that cause herpes infections of the mouth, lips, genitals, skin, and other body parts. hetairae: A special class of early Greek prostitutes who were sought by men because of their beauty and education. heterosexuality: Being sexually attracted to members of the opposite: sex. Hite, Shere: Conducted extensive questionnaire surveys during the 1970s on male and female sexuality. holistic: Pertaining to holism, the philosophy that individuals function as complete units that cannot be reduced to the sum of their parts. homophobia: The fear of homosexuality. homosexuality: Being sexually attracted to members of one’s own sex. hormones: Chemicals originating in an organ or gland that are conveyed through the blood to another part of the body, affecting it by chemical action to increase or decrease functional activity. house prostitutes: Those who perform sex for pay in brothels (houses of prostitution). human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG): A gonadotropic hormone produced by the chorionic tissues of the embryo and fetus. human immunodeficiency virus (HIV): The retrovirus (RNA virus) that causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and AIDS-related complex (ARC). “hustler”: A male prostitute who performs sexual acts for pay with homosexuals. hymen: A membrane that may partially cover the entrance to the vagina. hypersexuality: An unusually intense sex drive that leads to little or no sexual gratification despite numerous sex acts with numerous partners. See nymphomania and satyriasis: hypertension: An increase in blood pressure above the normal, as occurs during sexual excitement. hyperventilation: Increased rate or depth of breathing, as occurs during sexual excitement. hypothalamus: Floor of the third ventricle of the brain; secretes a series of substances that help to regulate some body processes. hysterectomy: Partial or total removal of the uterus. hysterotomy: Incision into the uterus; used for a cesarean section childbirth and as an abortion technique during the second trimester. |