Terms starting with C

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• Capacity to consentConsent & boundariesCapacity to consent is a person's ability to understand what they are agreeing to, weigh it up and communicate a decision freely at the time.
• CasperingDating-app slang & abbreviationsEnding a dating connection kindly, with a brief honest message, instead of disappearing without a word. Named after Casper the friendly ghost.
• Catching feelingsDating-app slang & abbreviationsDeveloping romantic feelings for someone, especially when the connection was meant to stay casual.
• CatfishingConsent & boundariesCatfishing is creating a false online identity, often using someone else's photos, to deceive people into a relationship, friendship or financial exchange.
• CD4 countSTIsA CD4 count measures the number of CD4 cells, a type of white blood cell, in a sample of blood; it shows how well the immune system is coping with HIV.
• Cervical capContraceptionA cervical cap is a small silicone cup that fits snugly over the cervix to block sperm, used with spermicide.
• Cervical screeningBody & healthCervical screening is a routine test that checks cells from the cervix for high-risk HPV and early changes that could develop into cervical cancer if left untreated.
• CervixBody & healthThe cervix is the lower, narrow end of the uterus that opens into the top of the vagina. It lets menstrual blood out, produces mucus, and widens during childbirth.
• ChancroidSTIsChancroid is a bacterial STI that causes painful genital ulcers and swollen glands; it is now rare in most countries.
• Check-inConsent & boundariesA check-in is a brief question or pause to confirm that a partner is still comfortable and wants to continue.
• Chest bindingGender & identityFlattening the chest with a compression garment, called a binder, to create a flatter appearance. It is common among trans men and some non-binary people.
• ChlamydiaSTIsChlamydia is a common bacterial STI that often causes no symptoms and is easily cured with antibiotics once it has been found through testing.
• Chosen familyOrientationsClose friends and community members who take on the role of family, often especially important for LGBTQ+ people.
• CircumcisionBody & healthCircumcision is the surgical removal of the foreskin of the penis. It is done for religious, cultural or medical reasons, or as part of HIV prevention programmes in some regions.
• CisgenderGender & identityDescribes a person whose gender identity matches the sex they were assigned at birth.
• CishetDating-app slang & abbreviationsShort for "cisgender and heterosexual": someone whose gender matches the sex they were assigned at birth and who is attracted to the opposite gender.
• CisnormativityGender & identityThe assumption that everyone is cisgender, and the ways systems and habits are built around that assumption.
• "Clean" (as STI status)Dating-app slang & abbreviationsUsing "clean" to mean having no STIs. The word implies that people with an infection are dirty, so sexual health services recommend saying "tested negative" instead.
• ClitorisBody & healthThe clitoris is a highly sensitive organ of the vulva whose main known function is sexual pleasure. Only its small tip, the glans, is visible; most of it lies beneath the skin.
• ClosetedOrientationsDescribes someone who has not shared their sexual orientation or gender identity with others, or only with a few people.
• CodependencyPsychology of intimacyCodependency is a popular term for a relationship pattern in which one person organises their sense of worth around caring for, pleasing or rescuing another, often at their own expense.
• CoercionConsent & boundariesCoercion is using pressure, threats, guilt, manipulation or persistent pleading to make someone agree to something they would not otherwise choose.
• Coercive controlConsent & boundariesCoercive control is a pattern of controlling behaviour, such as isolation, monitoring, threats and humiliation, used to dominate a partner and restrict their freedom.
• CohabitationRelationships & datingTwo partners living together in a shared home without necessarily being married or in a civil partnership.
• Cold soresSTIsCold sores are small blisters around the lips caused by the herpes simplex virus, most often type 1, and are extremely common.
• Collaring 18+Kink & BDSMA commitment ritual in some D/s relationships, where a collar or other symbol marks a submissive's agreed relationship with a dominant.
• Combined pillContraceptionThe combined pill is a daily tablet containing an estrogen and a progestogen that prevents pregnancy mainly by stopping ovulation.
• Coming outOrientationsThe process of recognising one's own sexual orientation or gender identity and choosing to share it with others.
• Commitment phobiaPsychology of intimacyAn informal term for a strong, persistent fear or avoidance of long-term romantic commitment.
• Companionate lovePsychology of intimacyCompanionate love is deep affection and commitment grounded in friendship, trust and shared life, rather than intense longing.
• CompersionRelationships & datingA feeling of joy at seeing a partner happy with someone else; often described as the opposite of jealousy.
• Compulsive sexual behaviourPsychology of intimacyCompulsive sexual behaviour disorder is a condition recognised in the WHO's ICD-11 in which a person repeatedly fails to control intense sexual urges or behaviour over a long period, causing marked distress or impairment.
• Compulsory heterosexualityOrientationsThe idea that society pressures people, especially women, into assuming they are straight and pursuing relationships with men.
• CondomContraceptionA condom is a thin sheath worn on the penis during sex that collects semen, helping prevent both pregnancy and many sexually transmitted infections.
• Conscious uncouplingRelationships & datingEnding a relationship deliberately and respectfully, with both partners aiming to minimise blame and harm.
• Consensual non-consent 18+Kink & BDSMA negotiated role-play in which partners agree in advance to act out a scenario that appears non-consensual, while real consent, limits and a way to stop remain in place.
• ConsentConsent & boundariesConsent is a free, informed and clear agreement to take part in a specific activity, given by someone who has the capacity to agree and who can change their mind at any time.
• ContraceptionContraceptionContraception is any method, device, medicine or behaviour used to reduce the chance of pregnancy during sex. Most methods do not protect against sexually transmitted infections.
• Contraceptive counsellingContraceptionContraceptive counselling is a conversation with a health professional to explore contraceptive options and choose a method that fits someone's health, preferences and life.
• Contraceptive implantContraceptionThe contraceptive implant is a small flexible rod placed under the skin of the upper arm that releases a progestogen and prevents pregnancy for about three years.
• Contraceptive injectionContraceptionThe contraceptive injection is a progestogen injection given every 8 to 13 weeks, depending on the type, that mainly prevents pregnancy by stopping ovulation.
• Contraceptive patchContraceptionThe contraceptive patch is a small sticky patch worn on the skin that releases an estrogen and a progestogen, changed once a week.
• Contraceptive spongeContraceptionA contraceptive sponge is a small, soft foam disc containing spermicide that is placed deep in the vagina before sex.
• Conversion therapyOrientationsPractices that try to change, suppress or "cure" someone's sexual orientation or gender identity. Major health bodies say they do not work and can cause serious harm.
• Cookie jarringDating-app slang & abbreviationsDating someone as a back-up option while your main interest is someone else, keeping them "in the cookie jar" for later.
• Copper IUDContraceptionA copper IUD is a small T-shaped device with copper that is placed in the uterus and prevents pregnancy without hormones for five to ten years.
• Couples therapyPsychology of intimacyCouples therapy is talking therapy in which partners work with a trained therapist to understand patterns in their relationship and improve how they communicate and resolve conflict.
• CrossdressingGender & identityWearing clothing typically associated with a different gender from the one a person usually lives as.
• Cuffing seasonRelationships & datingInformal name for the colder months, when many single people are said to look for a partner to share the season with.
• CurvingDating-app slang & abbreviationsTurning down someone's romantic interest indirectly, with vague replies, excuses or delays, instead of saying no outright.
• CushioningDating-app slang & abbreviationsKeeping one or more romantic back-up options warm while dating someone or while in a relationship, so there is a soft landing if it ends.
• CyberflashingConsent & boundariesCyberflashing is sending someone an unsolicited sexual image, usually of genitals, through a phone, dating app, social media or file-sharing feature.