Often confused
24 pairs of words people regularly mix up, explained side by side.
Body & health4
- Bacterial vaginosisvsThrushA fishy smell points more towards BV, itching more towards thrush, but symptoms overlap, so it is worth getting them checked by a pharmacist, doctor or sexual health clinic.
- PerimenopausevsMenopausePerimenopause is the road, menopause is the destination. A doctor can help with symptoms at either stage.
- Premenstrual syndromevsPMDDPMS is common premenstrual discomfort; PMDD is a severe, recognised condition that deserves medical attention, and anyone whose mood becomes dangerous should seek urgent help.
- VulvavsVaginaIf you can see it from the outside, it is the vulva; the vagina is the canal inside. Ongoing itching, pain or unusual discharge is worth checking with a doctor or sexual health clinic.
Contraception3
- Combined pillvsProgestogen-only pillThe combined pill has two hormones and usually allows planned breaks; the progestogen-only pill has one hormone, is taken without a break and suits many people who cannot take estrogen.
- Emergency contraceptive pillvsMedication abortionThe emergency pill acts before pregnancy and cannot end one; medication abortion ends a pregnancy. A pharmacist, clinic or local health service can explain the options.
- Hormonal IUDvsCopper IUDChoose between them mainly on hormones and periods: the hormonal IUD tends to lighten periods, the copper IUD is hormone-free but can make them heavier. A clinician can help weigh the options.
STIs2
Relationships & dating4
- GhostingvsBreadcrumbingA ghost vanishes; a breadcrumber lingers without committing. Naming either pattern can help someone decide to step away.
- Platonic relationshipvsQueerplatonic relationshipEvery queerplatonic relationship is platonic, but not every platonic friendship is queerplatonic: the second adds a partnership-style commitment.
- PolyamoryvsOpen relationshipPolyamory is about loving more than one person; an open relationship is a couple opening their door to others. The two can overlap, and people choose the label that fits their arrangement.
- SituationshipvsFWBFWB is casual by agreement; a situationship is casual by default, because nobody has defined it yet.
Orientations2
- AsexualvsAromanticAsexual answers "do I feel sexual attraction?"; aromantic answers "do I feel romantic attraction?". A person can be one, both or neither.
- BisexualvsPansexualThe meanings overlap a great deal; people choose bisexual or pansexual based on which word feels right to them, and both are equally valid.
Gender & identity2
Consent & boundaries3
- Affirmative consentvsEnthusiastic consentAffirmative consent is about getting a clear yes; enthusiastic consent goes a step further and cares whether that yes is truly wanted.
- CatfishingvsKittenfishingA catfish is not who they say they are; a kittenfish is, just with older photos and a few extra centimetres.
- Sexual harassmentvsSexual assaultHarassment can be words, images or behaviour; assault is unwanted sexual contact. Some unwanted touching falls into both.
Kink & BDSM2
- BDSM 18+vsIntimate partner violenceCalling something BDSM never makes non-consensual harm acceptable. If limits are pushed, safewords ignored or fear creeps in, it is abuse, and domestic abuse services can help.
- Hard limits 18+vsSoft limitsA hard limit means no; a soft limit means "not unless the conditions are right, and maybe not even then".
Psychology of intimacy2
- LimerencevsInfatuationAll limerence involves infatuation, but not all infatuation becomes limerence, which is more consuming and centred on the hope of being loved back.
- Responsive desirevsSpontaneous desireSpontaneous desire comes first and leads to intimacy; responsive desire follows the start of intimacy. Neither is better, and partners with different styles can learn to meet in the middle.