ND & Puberty Dictionary

Transitional period from childhood to adulthood when rapid physical growth and sexual development happens

The way we experience, interpret, and react to information coming from our senses

When the brain is overwhelmed by sensory input- often associated with intense reactions like melt downs or shutdowns

The ability to notice, understands, and respond to emotions in a safe and supportive way

When the brain is overwhelmed by emotion leading to unsupportive responses

The ability to notice sensations occurring inside of the body.

The nervous system freeze/flop response to

The nervous systems freeze/flop response- involves withdrawing and difficulty communicating.

The nervous system fight/flight response- can involve screaming, crying, aggression, and elopement.

Monthly shedding of the lining of the uterus resulting in blood coming out of the vagina.

AKA “period”, “menses”

Any behavior that relates to sex such as masturbation, consent, and intercourse.

Relationships and activities related to other people.

The hole in between your butt cheeks that poop comes out of.

AKA “butthole”

Hair that grows on the body to protect the skin.

During puberty it most commonly starts growing on the chest, legs, armpits, mons pubis, and face.

Some people remove body hair and some people leave it as is.

Soft round bumps on the chest.

When someone is pregnant the breasts produce milk.

A very sensitive area that can become hard (erect) when stimulated. The small bump above the vaginal opening is the head of the clitoris- the rest is inside of the body,

AKA “clit”

Fluid that comes out of the vagina. Its purpose is to clean and lubricate the vagina.

To learn more about how discharge can look you can go to this website: https://thisisavulva.com/dischargegallery

The release of fluid from the vagina or penis.

For people with penises the fluid that comes out during ejaculation includes sperm.

AKA “cum”

A name for when a person’s penis or clitoris becomes hard (erect)

This usually when someone is sexually aroused.

Hair that grows on the face. It’s typically around the chin and above the lips.

The sexual and reproductive body parts on the outside of the body including the vulva, vagina, anus, and penis.

AKA “private parts”

The hymen is a small, flexible area of skin at the entrance of the vaginal opening.

Some people’s bodies (like their genitals, internal organs, chromosomes, or hormones) develop in a way that isn’t typically “male” or “female”.

Sometimes the variations can be seen from the outside and sometimes they can’t.

Intersex traits are fairly common.

You can learn more about intersex here: https://interactadvocates.org/

Labia are folds of skin around the opening to the vagina.

There is an outer layer (labia majora) and an inner labia (labia minora).

To learn more about how labias can look you can go to this website: https://www.labialibrary.org.au/labia_gallery/

The fleshy area above the genitals.

This is usually where the most pubic hair grows

AKA “pubis”

Small bumps on the chest that are a different color than the rest of the skin. They can be sensitive.

If someone is pregnant milk can come out of the nipples.

A peak of sexual pleasure, with pleasurable and intense feelings in the genitals.

Ejaculation often happens during an orgasm.

An organ on the outside of the body that is very sensitive and can become hard (erect) when stimulated.

To learn more about how penises can look you can go to this website: https://www.willyworries.com/the-picture-galleries/the-willy-gallery/willygallery1/

Hair that grows on and around the genitals.

A sac of skin under the base of the penis that holds the testicles.

AKA “balls”, “nuts”, “nut sack”

The fluid that comes out of a penis when ejaculation happens.

Testicles produce sperm and hormones and are inside of the scrotum.

AKA ‘testes”, “balls”, “nuts”

A tube inside the body that goes to the bladder.

Pee comes through this tube and out of an opening.

The opening is on the end of the penis or above the vaginal opening.

AKA “pee hole”

An organ inside the body for people with vaginas

It is where a baby grows when someone is pregnant.

A muscular tube inside the body with an opening on the outside below the opening to the urethra. The vagina can stretch when penetrated or during childbirth. The vagina makes fluids and is self-cleaning.

AKA “vag”

The vulva is the name of the external genitals for people with vaginas.

The vulva is an area that includes the labia, clitoris, hymen, and vagina opening.

To learn more about how vulvas can look you can go to this website: https://www.thevulvagallery.com

Sometimes people call this whole area the vagina but this is incorrect. See the previous definition of vagina for more info!

When a casual relationship turns into a serious one, usually when both people agree to be exclusive and not date or have sex with anyone else.

a neutral, quirky, or slightly annoying trait in a partner that is neither a dealbreaker (red flag) nor a major positive sign (green flag).

Keeping someone around as a backup while seeking other partners.

A date that is set up and you don’t know what the other person looks like or much about them.

The number of people someone has had sex with.

Sending messages that are flirty but non-committal to someone without intention of dating or ending the current relationship.

When people end the romantic relationship they are in.

Tricking someone into a relationship by pretending to be someone else online.

Someone who is in a committed relationship and breaks the trust of their partner(s) by getting physically or emotionally involved with another person.

In early fall, single people seek partners to settle down with for colder months.

When people spend time together, doing social activities and showing romantic interest, to see if they might be a good match for a future relationship.

Dating is a non-exclusive phase of getting to know someone, while a relationship is a committed, often exclusive partnership.

AKA Sliding into your DMs
Sending a direct message to a person of interest though a social media app- typically the message is suggestive of interest in dating or complimentary.

Acronym meaning “Down to F**k”- indicates the person is open to sex.

When two people decide to focus only on each other in a romantic and sexual way, meaning they won’t date or be involved with anyone else.

Communicating with someone to suggest romantic or sexual attraction.

Two friends who trust each other enough to have casual sex without emotional harm. Perfect for those avoiding or uninterested in committed relationships; neither is restricted from dating others.

The act of intentionally giving false information to manipulate and emotionally harm someone, causing them to doubt their memory, perceptions, and sanity.

When someone vanishes from a relationship without warning- usually they abruptly stops responding to texts and calls.

Positive qualities or good signs seen in a potential or committed romantic partner

An agreed-upon situation where one or both people involved are allowed to have sex with someone else—usually a famous person or someone they can’t easily get—without it being seen as cheating.

A social media post that explicitly shares that the person is in a new relationship.

To engage in any sexual activity with another person.

Something someone does that you dislike so much it makes you not want to have/continue to have a romantic/sexual relationship with them.

To trick or fool someone into thinking you love or are attracted to them, even if you’re not truly feelings that way.

When someone showers you with a lot of love and gifts early on in the relationship, it might be their way of trying to build trust. However, it can also be their way of trying to take control over you in an unhealthy way for the future.

A subtle form of cheating involving dishonesty and unfaithfulness, such as flirtation, hiding things, secret emojis, and emotional bonds with someone outside the relationship.

A date night spent at home that quickly turns into a sexual encounter, with hooking up being the main focus.

A relationship that is intimate and caring but not romantic or sexual.

Negative qualities or bad signs seen in a potential romantic/sexual partner- sometimes they are deal breakers.

Coming from the word charisma, “rizz” is used to describe someone’s skill at drawing in or impressing a potential romantic or dating partner.

Sending naked pictures/videos or messages that describe sexual activity through messages on a cell phone.

Someone who is overly eager to please a partner or crush, often sacrificing their own self-respect in doing so

A romantic connection that isn’t officially called anything and is hard to define.

To have sex with someone

A social media posts that subtly hints that the person is in a new relationship.

When two people are romantically or sexually involved, often before committing to a serious relationship.