| 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 panderer: A person, usually a man, who procures and recruits women into prostitution. pansexual: Responding to all forms of sexual stimuli. papilloma viruses: A group of viruses that cause genital and other warts, and are suspected of causing cervical cancer. Pap smear (Pap test): A screening test for the detection and diagnosis of premalignant and malignant conditions of the female genital tract (cancer of the vagina, cervix, and endometrium). paraphilias: Those sexual actions that are pleasurable and gratifying, yet whose object (with whom or what one has intercourse) and/or aim (a goal other than seeking intercourse) deviate from the norm. paraplegia: Paralysis of the lower portion of the body and of both legs. paresis: Paralysis and mental symptoms resulting from damage to the brain and spinal cord by the spirochetes of syphilis. passionate love: A strongly emotional state occurring early in relationships; the loved person is idealized and is intensely sexually exciting. pathogen: A disease-causing agent. pedophilia: A sexual paraphilia in which an adult is sexually attracted to and sexually aroused by prepubertal children. “Peeping Tom”: See voyeurism. peer group: Persons who are relatively equal in terms of age and social rank. pelvic inflammatory disease: (PID): A uterine and pelvic cavity infection. penile chordee: Painful downward curvature of the penis on erection. penile glans: The tip, or head, of the penis. The urethral orifice, or opening, is at the center of the glans. penile prosthesis An implant of a mechanical: device within the penis to aid in erection. penis: External male reproductive organ through which urine and sperm pass; erects during sexual excitement. perineum: The area between the anus and scrotum in the male and between the anus and the vaginal opening in the female. personhood: A person’s highest fulfillment. petting: Noncoital sexual activity such as stimulation of the breasts and genitals. Peyronie’s disease: Hardening of the cavernous bodies of the penis causing a distortion or deflection of the penis, especially when: erect. pheromones: Chemical odors produced by certain female animals during their fertile periods that communicate reproductive readiness. phimosis: The condition of such foreskin tightness that it cannot be retracted over the coronal ridge. phylogenetic: The evolutionary relationship between different groups of animals, or animals and humans. physiology: The study of the functions of living organisms. pimp: A man who lives off the earnings of prostitutes, manages their time and money, pretends to protect their interests, and keeps them in line and working. pituitary gland: An endocrine gland attached to the base of the brain; secretes a number of hormones regulating many body processes. placebo: A chemically inactive substance given to satisfy a patient’s demand for medicine. placenta: The organ that unites a fetus to its mother’s uterus; it secretes hormones, and it facilitates gas exchange, nutrition, and waste removal. plateau phase: The second phase of the sexual response cycle in which vasocongestion, muscle tension, heart rate, and blood pressure increase. Pneumocystis carinii: A protozoan that often causes pneumonia in AIDS victims, but rarely in the general population. pornae: Early Greek women who were hired to provide sexual gratification; prostitutes. pornography: The depiction of erotic behavior with the intent to cause sexual excitement through material such as books, photographs, or films. postpartum: The days and weeks following childbirth. premature ejaculation: A sexual problem in which a male cannot maintain voluntary control over the ejaculatory reflex and may ejaculate early and unintentionally. premenstrual syndrome: The physical discomforts and/or emotional mood swings that some women experience before menstruation. prenatal: Before birth. prepared childbirth: Childbirth following a series of classes intended to prepare a woman for active participation in the delivery and to minimize the need for analgesic drugs. prepuce: The fold of skin (foreskin) over the penile glans in the male; the fold of the labia minora that covers the clitoris in the female. See clitoral hood. priapism: Prolonged and uncomfortable penile erection without sexual desire. primal scene: In psychiatry (especially psychoanalysis), a child’s first observation of sexual intercourse. procreation: Sexual intercourse for the sole purpose of reproduction. progesterone: A hormone secreted by the ovaries and placenta that promotes the growth and maintenance of the uterine endometrium, mammary glands, and placenta. progestin: A synthetic progesterone- like drug. projection: The attribution of one’s own thoughts, feelings, or actions to others. prolactin: Pituitary hormone that directs the synthesis of milk in the mammary glands of nursing mothers. prolactin-inhibiting hormone (PIll): Hypothalamic hormone that blocks the release of prolactin, keeping the mammary glands milk-free. The stimulus of nursing reflexively blocks the release of prolactin inhibiting factor, allowing prolactin to be secreted and the mammary glands to synthesize milk. promiscuity: Indiscriminate, transient, sexual intercourse with many persons for the relief of sexual tensions, rather than for feelings of affection. prophylactic: See condom. prostaglandin: One of a group of fatty acid derivatives produced by the body that is extremely active biologically. It affects the contraction of the uterus. prostate: A gland that surrounds the neck of the bladder and urethra in the male. It secretes the fluid that initiates the movement of sperm. prostatectomy: Surgical removal of all or part of the prostate gland. prostitution: The profession of performing sexual acts with others for pay. prurient interest: Extraordinary concern with nudity, sex, or excretion that goes beyond normal curiosity. pseudohermaphroditism: A congenital abnormality in which one possesses gonads of one sex but external genitals of the other sex. (True hermaphroditism is having both ovaries and testes, a very rare condition among humans.) psoriasis: A condition which leaves the skin scaly. psychogenic: Conditions having a mental Origin. psychosexual: Pertaining to the emotional or mental aspects of sexuality. puberty: The period of life during which one becomes functionally capable of reproduction. pubic lice: Small insects that infect the pubic and other coarse body hair; commonly called “crabs.” pyromania: A fetish that involves obtaining sexual gratification from compulsive fire setting. |