Sexual Dictionary - letter F

Faithful
any loyal and steadfast following. Sexual faithfulness - not having sexual relations with anyone except your husband or wife, or your boyfriend or girlfriend.
Fallopian tube
the tubal passageway connecting the ovary to the uterus. Also called oviduct.
Fat
a major energy source for animals and humans. Fat contains nine calories per gram.
Fatigue
physical or mental exhaustion. Weariness.
Febrile
caused by fever. Feverish.
Feces
body waste expelled from the rectum.
Also called stool.
Felatio
the act of kissing, licking, or sucking the male genitals with the lips and tongue. Oral sex performed to a man.
Female circumcision
see circumcision.
Female reproductive system
see reproductive system.
Female sexual dysfunction
the persistent or recurrent inability to attain or maintain sexual excitement. Sexual dysfunction includes :
  • desire disorders
  • arousal disorders
  • pain disorders
  • orgasmic disorders
Causes can be physiological (inadequate blood flow, nerve-related loss of sensitivity, reduced hormone levels), psychological (following sexual or physical abuse or trauma, fear of pain, infection, or being pregnant) and neither physiological nor psychological (unskilled or uncaring partner, communication problems with partner). Sometimes these factors are interrelated and require a combination of therapies.
Femininity
the trait of behaving in ways considered typical for women.
Fertile
capable of reproducing.
Fertilization
the process of joining the male's spermatozoon and the female's ovum and the initiation of the development of a new individual.
To deliver the semen to the female, the male inserts his penis, into the opening of the vagina. This process is a part of copulation. Once the male ejaculates, a large number of spermatozoa travel toward the ovum. For fertilization to occur, a single spermatozoa must successfully penetrate the ovum's coat.
Fertility
the ability to have children.
Fertility treatment
any method or procedure used to enhance fertility or increase the likelihood of pregnancy.
Fetal
having to do with the fetus.
Fetish
a fixation on an activity, an object, or on part of the body.
Fetus
the unborn baby from the end of the eighth week after fertilization of the ovum to birth. See also embryo definition.
Fever
abnormally high body temperature.
Fibroid
a noncancerous tumor of the uterus composed of muscle fibers.
Also called uterine myoma.
Fibroma
benign tumor of connective tissue.
Fidelity
the quality of being faithful.
Fingering
to stimulate the vagina with the fingers.
Fistula
an abnormal passage from an abscess, cavity or hollow organ to the skin or another abscess.
Flaccid
soft and flabby. Referring to a non-erect penis.
Flu
an acute febrile highly contagious viral respiratory disease. Some categories as older people, young children and people with certain health conditions, are at high risk for serious complications from the flu. Common symptoms are :
  • high fever
  • headache
  • tiredness (sometimes extreme)
  • cough
  • sore throat
  • runny or stuffy nose
  • body aches
  • diarrhea and vomiting (more common in children)
Also called influenza.
Follicle
fluid filled sac in the ovary that contains a developing egg that is released at ovulation. Each month an egg develops inside the ovary.
See also ovarian follicle.
Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH)
a hormone produced by the pituitary gland in the brain that stimulates the testicles to produce spermatozoa in males and stimulates the ovary to ripen a follicle for ovulation in females.
Folic acid
one of the B-group vitamins essential for forming red blood cells. Very important in pregnant women's diet.
Foreplay
any action that causes sexual excitement before sexual intercourse. Common actions that can be considered foreplay are touching, kissing and fondling. See also sexual behavior.
Foreskin
a loose fold of skin covering and protecting the tip (head) of the penis of an uncircumcised male. Prepuce.
French kiss
slang for kissing with the tongue.
Frenulum
a fold of skin or mucous membrane that limits the movement of a body part. For example, the frenulum linguae is the midline fold under the tongue that attaches it to the floor of the mouth or the thin strip of flesh on the underside of the penis that connects the shaft to the head of the penis.
Frigidity
lack of sexual response, especially of women, and inability to achieve orgasm during intercourse.
Frotteurism (frottage)
to rub against another person. Usually referes to sexual gratification by sexual touching or rubbing the genitals aria while clothed. Typically, such contact occurs in crowded situations such as on buses or elevators where the individual rubs up against a stranger. A person who practices frotteurism is known as a frotteur.
See also sexual behavior.
Fructose
fruit sugar.
Fungus
a group of organisms that includes yeasts, molds and mushrooms.
Furuncle
a localized infection beneath the skin, which develops a solitary, raised abscess.