Terms starting with H

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• Hard limits 18+Kink & BDSMActivities or themes that a person will not take part in under any circumstances; they are not open to persuasion during or before a scene.
• HardballingDating-app slang & abbreviationsBeing direct from the start about exactly what you want from dating, such as marriage, children or something casual, instead of keeping it vague.
• Hepatitis ASTIsHepatitis A is a short-term viral liver infection usually spread through contaminated food or water, but it can also pass on during sex involving oral-anal contact.
• Hepatitis BSTIsHepatitis B is a viral infection of the liver spread through blood and sexual fluids; it can be prevented with a vaccine.
• Hepatitis B vaccineSTIsThe hepatitis B vaccine is a course of injections that gives long-lasting protection against the hepatitis B virus.
• Hepatitis CSTIsHepatitis C is a viral liver infection spread mainly through blood; sexual transmission is less common but possible, and modern tablets cure most cases.
• HeteroflexibleOrientationsDescribes a person who is mainly heterosexual but occasionally experiences attraction to, or openness towards, people of the same gender.
• HeteronormativityOrientationsThe assumption that heterosexuality is the normal or default orientation, and that relationships follow a man-woman pattern.
• HeterosexualOrientationsDescribes a person who is mainly or only attracted to people of a different gender, most often used for men attracted to women and women attracted to men.
• Hierarchical polyamoryRelationships & datingA form of polyamory in which some relationships are given priority over others, for example a primary partner above secondary partners.
• HijraGender & identityA long-established community in South Asia of people, mostly assigned male at birth, who live in a feminine role and are often recognised as a third gender.
• HIVSTIsHIV is a virus that weakens the immune system by attacking CD4 cells; with modern treatment, people living with HIV can expect a near-normal lifespan.
• HMUDating-app slang & abbreviationsShort for "hit me up": an invitation to message or contact the person.
• HomoflexibleOrientationsDescribes a person who is mainly attracted to the same gender but occasionally experiences attraction to, or openness towards, other genders.
• HomophobiaOrientationsPrejudice, hostility or discrimination against people who are, or are thought to be, gay, lesbian or otherwise attracted to the same gender.
• HomosexualOrientationsAn older, clinical term for being attracted to people of the same gender. Most people now prefer "gay" or "lesbian" in everyday use.
• Honeymoon phaseRelationships & datingThe early period of a relationship marked by intense attraction, excitement and a tendency to see a partner in an idealised light.
• HookupDating-app slang & abbreviationsA casual sexual encounter, or the act of meeting up for one. What "hooking up" covers can range from kissing to sex depending on who is speaking.
• Hookup culturePsychology of intimacyHookup culture refers to social settings, often associated with universities and dating apps, where casual sexual encounters outside committed relationships are widely accepted or expected.
• HooveringPsychology of intimacyAn attempt to pull a former or distancing partner back into a relationship, often an unhealthy or abusive one, named after the vacuum cleaner brand.
• Hormonal contraceptionContraceptionHormonal contraception uses synthetic versions of the hormones estrogen and progesterone, or progesterone alone, to prevent pregnancy.
• Hormonal IUDContraceptionA hormonal IUD is a small T-shaped device placed in the uterus that releases a progestogen and prevents pregnancy for three to eight years depending on the type.
• HPVSTIsHuman papillomavirus is a very common group of viruses passed on through skin contact during sex; most infections clear on their own, but some types cause warts or certain cancers.
• HPV vaccineSTIsThe HPV vaccine protects against the types of human papillomavirus most likely to cause cancers and genital warts, and works best before a person becomes sexually active.
• HWPDating-app slang & abbreviationsShort for "height/weight proportionate": a personal-ad phrase meaning someone is, or wants a partner who is, of so-called average build for their height.
• HymenBody & healthThe hymen is a thin, flexible fold of tissue at or just inside the vaginal opening. Its shape varies widely and it cannot show whether someone has had sex.
• Hypoactive sexual desireBody & healthHypoactive sexual desire (HSDD) is a clinical term for a persistent lack of sexual thoughts or interest in sex that causes the person significant distress.