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WMC Unspinning the Spin

impotent

use "impotent" only to describe a man unable to achieve erection; someone who is sterile or infertile may be potent, but unable to father children because of, for example, a low sperm count. Currently it is more common to see, instead of "impotence," "erectile dysfunction" or "ED." See also frigid (referring to a woman's sexual response), infertile, sterile.


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Unspinning the Spin: The Women's Media Center Guide to Fair and Accurate Language

By Rosalie Maggio


 

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