Key concepts and terms

Sexuality is a broad term that describes the way that people experience and express themselves sexually, including through sexual behaviours, thoughts, fantasies, desires, beliefs, values, practices, roles and relationships. This includes, but is not limited to, sexual orientation.

Sex: An individual’s biological sexual characteristics; the external genitals, internal reproductive organs, chromosomes and hormones. The terms male, female and intersex refer to biological sex.

Sex assigned at birth: The categorisation of a person’s sex at birth as male, female or intersex. Assignment is usually made based on infant external genitalia. Also referred to as gender assigned at birth, natal sex, biological sex, or sex.

Gender: The socio-cultural, psychological, and behavioural aspects of being a man, woman, or other gender identity. These aspects map onto gender-specific socialisations, roles, norms, opportunities and inequalities.

Gender identity: The labels a person uses to describe their own gender (e.g., as a woman, man, agender person etc.). See Brook’s website for a glossary of gender definitions.

Transgender: A person whose gender identity does not match the sex they were assigned at birth. Trans is a broad term that can include men, women as well as people who identify with other genders

Cisgender: A person whose gender identity matches the sex they were assigned at birth.

Sex or gender?

Whether to use the term sex or gender depends on the focus of the question. A question on pregnancy risk should include individuals with female reproductive anatomy (assigned female at birth), whereas a question about social experiences should be based on gender/gender identity.

The SAGER guidelines on sex and gender equity in research are here.

Young people’s sexual health charity Brook provides a youth-friendly explanation of the difference between sex and gender.

Sexual orientation is composed of three facets:

Sexual identity: Refers to the labels a person uses to describe their self-perception of their sexual attraction towards others (e.g., straight/heterosexual, gay, asexual). See Brook’s website for a glossary of sexuality definitions.

Sexual attraction: Refers to the gender-based attractions a person experiences. For example, a person could be attracted to a single gender (e.g., women) or to multiple (e.g., men and non-binary people).

Partnered sexual behaviour: Refers to the gender of the people a person has had sexual contact with.

These three facets may or may not align in individuals. For more on this see: Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity/Expression in Adolescent Research: Two Decades in Review.

Sex includes oral sex (a person’s mouth on a partner’s genital area); vaginal sex (a person’s penis in a partner’s vagina) or anal sex (a person’s penis in a partner’s anus (rectum or back passage). The term intercourse is sometimes used to describe oral sex and vaginal sex – involving penetration.

Sexual activity: any kind of sexual experience or sexual contact with another person. This includes anything that feels sexual to a person. It could be kissing or touching, or intercourse or any other form of sex. It could also include solo sex or masturbation.  Specification is required depending on the focus of the question. The term allows for a broader collection of behaviours but is not always well understood and people vary in the activities they include.

Sexual health focuses on behaviours and potential outcomes such as pregnancy, STIs, sexual function and sexual violence

The WHO defines sexual health as: “… a state of physical, emotional, mental and social wellbeing in relation to sexuality; it is not merely the absence of disease, dysfunction or infirmity. Sexual health requires a positive and respectful approach to sexuality and sexual relationships, as well as the possibility of having pleasurable and safe sexual experiences, free of coercion, discrimination and violence. For sexual health to be attained and maintained, the sexual rights of all persons must be respected, protected and fulfilled.” (WHO, 2006a)

Sexual wellbeing: Read more on sexual wellbeing here.