Sex Education A-Z: Letter B

Barrier method – The diaphragm, cervical cap, condom, and spermicidal products are all barrier forms of birth control, designed to block sperm from entering the uterus.

Bartholin’s glands – Small glands in a woman located on either side of the labia minora, which secrete small amounts of fluid that may add to a woman’s lubrication when she is sexually aroused.

BDSM – A term that merges three expressions: Bondage and Discipline, Dominance and Submission, and Sadism and Masochism. This term is most often used today in the S/M community, especially in the many chat rooms and sites on
the Internet.

Ben wa balls – Small solid metal balls that are inserted into the vagina to supposedly provide sexual stimulation by rubbing together.

Birth control – Regulation or prevention of the birth of a child by using a device or technique to prevent pregnancy. Usually thought of as methods such as the birth control pills, IUD, diaphragm, Norplant, condoms, and so on.

Birth control pills – Commonly referred to as the pill, hormones (estrogen and progestin) that are prescribed by a doctor, and taken daily to prevent a woman from ovulating and, thus, from becoming pregnant.

Bisexual – Someone who has erotic attractions to and sex with people of both the opposite and same sex.

Bloodborne – Diseases that require contact between infected blood or body fluid (like semen and vaginal secretions) and blood for transmission of the disease. One cannot acquire a bloodborne disease through casual contact with another person.

Blow job – Slang for oral sex on a man, even though blowing is not part of oral sex.

Body image – A person’s self-image, or mental picture, of his or her own body, and the attitudes and feelings he or she has toward his or her appearance. Body image determines how attractive a person thinks he or she is.

Bondage – Physical restraint. Participants may use rope, chain, scarves, ties, pantyhose, leather straps, or other restraining devices. Bondage should always be completely consensual.

Bottom – A term used in the S/M community to refer to someone who derives erotic pleasure from temporarily and consensually relinquishing control to another person.

Breast self-exam- A procedure used for the detection of possibly cancerous lumps in the breasts, performed by palpitation of the breast area once a month.

Breasts – The secondary sex organs that are located on the chest. In women, they are responsible for lactation. Male and female breasts may become sexually stimulated by touch.

Butch – Masculine or macho behavior or dress; both men and women can be butch.

Butt plug – A dildo that is specially designed to be inserted in the anus for anal and rectal pleasure.