Terms starting with M

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• Male contraceptionContraceptionMale contraception refers to methods used by people who produce sperm to prevent pregnancy, currently condoms, withdrawal and vasectomy, with hormonal and non-hormonal options in research.
• Masc4mascDating-app slang & abbreviationsProfile shorthand, mainly among gay and bisexual men, meaning a masculine-presenting man looking only for other masculine-presenting men.
• MasturbationBody & healthMasturbation is touching or stimulating your own body for sexual pleasure. It is a common, normal part of sexuality at all ages and in and out of relationships.
• Medical transitionGender & identityThe medical steps some people take as part of transition, such as hormone therapy, surgery, voice training or hair removal, typically under specialist care.
• Medication abortionContraceptionMedication abortion ends a pregnancy using medicines, usually mifepristone followed by misoprostol, rather than a procedure.
• MenopauseBody & healthMenopause is the point when periods stop permanently because the ovaries no longer release eggs, confirmed after 12 months without a period. It most often happens between about 45 and 55.
• Menstrual cycleBody & healthThe menstrual cycle is the roughly monthly sequence of hormonal changes that prepares the body for a possible pregnancy, counted from the first day of one period to the day before the next.
• MenstruationBody & healthMenstruation, or having a period, is the monthly shedding of the uterine lining through the vagina when a pregnancy has not occurred.
• Mental loadPsychology of intimacyThe invisible work of planning, remembering, organising and keeping track of everything a household or family needs.
• MetamourRelationships & datingYour partner's other partner, with whom you are not romantically involved yourself.
• Micro-cheatingRelationships & datingSmall behaviours that one partner may see as a breach of trust, such as secret flirty messages or keeping an active dating profile, without anything physical happening.
• MisgenderingGender & identityReferring to someone with words, such as pronouns or gendered terms, that do not match their gender.
• Missed pillContraceptionA missed pill is a contraceptive pill taken later than its allowed window or not at all, which can reduce protection against pregnancy.
• Molluscum contagiosumSTIsMolluscum contagiosum is a harmless viral skin infection that causes small, smooth, raised spots; in adults it can be passed on through sexual contact.
• Monkey branchingDating-app slang & abbreviationsLining up a new partner before leaving a current relationship, like a monkey that only lets go of one branch once it has grabbed the next.
• MonogamishRelationships & datingA relationship that is mostly monogamous but has agreed, limited exceptions, such as occasional outside encounters under specific conditions.
• MonogamyRelationships & datingA relationship structure in which two people agree to be romantically and sexually involved only with each other.
• MonosexualOrientationsDescribes people who are attracted to only one gender, such as most straight, gay and lesbian people.
• MostingDating-app slang & abbreviationsShowering someone with intense affection and big declarations early on, then suddenly disappearing.
• MpoxSTIsMpox is a viral infection that causes a rash or sores and flu-like symptoms, spread mainly through close physical contact, including sexual contact.
• MSM (men who have sex with men)OrientationsA public-health term for men who have sex with men, regardless of how they identify. It describes behaviour, not identity.
• Munch 18+Kink & BDSMA casual, non-sexual social meet-up for people interested in kink, typically held in a restaurant, café or pub.
• MxGender & identityA gender-neutral title, used like Mr or Ms, often by non-binary people and anyone who prefers a title that does not indicate gender. It is usually pronounced "mix" or "mux".
• Mycoplasma genitaliumSTIsMycoplasma genitalium is a bacterial STI that often causes no symptoms but can cause urethritis or pelvic inflammatory disease, and is becoming harder to treat.