Glossary Terms

Denial

Denial is a psychological term that describes an unconscious defense mechanism characterized by the refusal to acknowledge painful realities, thoughts or feelings.

Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA)

The material that spells out the code for each gene on a chromosome.

Donor insemination

Donor insemination is a procedure where a woman uses sperm from a known or unknown donor, who is not going to be the social father of the child, to conceive a pregnancy. This process is usually achieved using intrauterine insemination.

Dry orgasm

When a man feels the pleasure of an orgasm but no liquid comes out of his penis. A dry orgasm can be a side effect of cancer treatments that affect the body's ability to produce semen.

Durable power of attorney

This document is also called a health care proxy. A durable power of attorney is a form of advance notice that allows an individual to give another individual legal authority to make decisions on his or her behalf. This document is used in situations where a person is not capable of making his or her own decisions.

Dyspareunia

Dyspareunia is pain in the pelvic region during or after sexual intercourse. This pain can be experienced by both men and women. Dyspareunia can also happen at any time during sex (for example, during penetration, erection or ejaculation).