Glossary of Pleasure & Sexual Wellness Terms
An A–Z Guide to Pleasure, Intimacy & Embodied Wellbeing
Language matters. When we have words for our experiences, we gain understanding, confidence, and choice. This glossary has been created to help you explore the world of pleasure, sexuality, intimacy, and embodied wellbeing with clarity and curiosity.
Whether you’re new to pleasure education or deepening an existing practice, this guide offers accessible definitions of commonly used terms across sexual wellness, somatic practices, and relationship education.
A
Aftercare
Intentional care and support offered after intimate, emotional, or intense experiences. This may include rest, reassurance, hydration, or emotional check-ins, and is commonly discussed in kink, somatic work, and therapeutic spaces.
Arousal
A physical and emotional state of heightened sensation or responsiveness, which may or may not be sexual. Arousal is influenced by the nervous system, emotions, context, and safety.
B
Body Literacy
The ability to understand, interpret, and respond to signals from the body, including sensations, emotions, boundaries, and pleasure cues.
Boundaries
Personal limits that define what feels safe, comfortable, and respectful. Boundaries can be physical, emotional, sexual, or energetic and may change over time.
C
Consent
A clear, enthusiastic, and ongoing agreement to participate in an activity. Consent can be withdrawn at any time and must be informed, specific, and freely given.
Coregulation
The process of nervous systems influencing one another, often through presence, touch, voice, or eye contact. Coregulation supports emotional safety and connection.
D
Desire
The experience of wanting or longing, which can be spontaneous, responsive, emotional, or physical. Desire varies widely between individuals and across life stages.
Desensitisation
A reduced sensitivity to sensation or emotional response, which may occur due to stress, trauma, or repeated overstimulation.
E
Embodiment
The experience of being fully present in one’s body, sensations, emotions, and lived experience rather than primarily in thought or analysis.
Erotic Intelligence
The capacity to understand and navigate desire, pleasure, boundaries, and connection with awareness and emotional maturity.
F
Fawn Response
A trauma-related survival response involving people-pleasing or compliance to maintain safety showing up in intimate or relational dynamics.
G
Grounding
Practices that support presence and nervous system regulation, often by connecting attention to the body, breath, or environment.
H
Healing Touch
Non-sexual or intentional touch aimed at supporting relaxation, emotional safety, or wellbeing. Always practised with clear consent and boundaries.
I
Intimacy
Emotional, physical, or psychological closeness between people. Intimacy does not have to be sexual and can take many forms.
K
Kink
Consensual exploration of power dynamics, sensation, role-play, or alternative expressions of desire. Healthy kink prioritises consent, communication, and safety.
L
Libido
A person’s general level of sexual interest or energy, which can fluctuate due to health, stress, relationships, and life circumstances.
M
Mindful Touch
Intentional, present-moment touch that emphasises sensation, awareness, and consent rather than performance or outcome.
N
Nervous System Regulation
Practices that support balance between activation and rest, helping the body feel safe enough to experience pleasure and connection.
O
Orgasm
A peak experience of pleasurable sensation that may include physical contractions, emotional release, or altered states. Orgasms vary widely and are not the sole measure of pleasure.
P
Pleasure Activism
A movement that recognises pleasure as a political, social, and personal right, especially for marginalised communities.
Pleasure Mapping
The exploration of what sensations, touch, environments, or experiences feel pleasurable or neutral to an individual.
R
Responsive Desire
Desire that emerges in response to stimulation, safety, or connection rather than spontaneously.
S
Somatic Practice
Body-based approaches that focus on sensation, movement, breath, and awareness to support healing, pleasure, or self-understanding.
Somatic Sex Education
An experiential approach to learning about pleasure and sexuality that centres the body as a source of wisdom.
T
Trauma-Informed
An approach that recognises the impact of trauma and prioritises safety, choice, empowerment, and consent.
W
Wheel of Consent
A framework developed by Dr Betty Martin that clarifies giving, receiving, taking, and allowing in touch and intimacy.
Y
Yes / No / Maybe
A communication tool that helps people articulate boundaries, interests, and preferences with clarity and self-awareness.