When it comes to fertility there are many medical terms, acronyms and jargon. To help navigate and familiarise yourself with some of these terms and concepts check out our comprehensive fertility glossary.
- Anti-Mullerian Hormone (AMH)
AMH is a hormone produced by the ovaries that is used as an indicator of ovarian reserve. - Anovulation
The absence of ovulation, leading to irregular or absent menstrual periods and infertility. - Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART)
Fertility treatments that involve handling eggs, sperm, or embryos outside of the body. Some of these medical procedures include in vitro fertilization (IVF), intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), and egg donation. - Basal Body Temperature (BBT)
The lowest body temperature attained during rest, typically measured immediately upon waking and used to track ovulation. - Blastocyst
An embryo that has developed into a hollow ball of cells five to six days after fertilization, and that is typically transferred to the uterus during IVF. - Cervical Mucus
A fluid secreted by the cervix that changes in consistency throughout the menstrual cycle, influencing fertility and providing clues about ovulation. - Conception
The moment when a sperm fertilizes an egg, leading to the formation of an embryo. - Embryo
The early stage of a developing organism from the point of fertilization through the eighth week of gestation. - Embryo Grading
The assessment of an embryo’s quality based on its cell number, size, and degree of fragmentation, often used to select the best embryos for transfer. - Embryo Transfer
The procedure of placing one or more embryos into the uterus to facilitate pregnancy following IVF. - Endometrium
The endometrium is the lining of the uterus that thickens each month in preparation for pregnancy. - Endometriosis
A condition in which the tissue that normally lines the inside of the uterus grows outside the uterus, causing pain, irregular bleeding, and infertility. - Fallopian tubes
The fallopian tubes are the structures that transport eggs from the ovaries to the uterus and are the site of fertilization. - Female Infertility
Female infertility is characterised as the inability of a woman to conceive or carry a pregnancy to term. - Fertility
The ability to conceive and carry a pregnancy to term. - Fertility Preservation
Techniques such as egg freezing or sperm banking to preserve reproductive potential for future use, often pursued by individuals facing medical treatments that may impact fertility. - Fertilization
The process of the sperm and egg joining to form an embryo, typically occurring in the fallopian tube. - Follicle
A small sac in the ovary that contains an egg. - Follicle-stimulating Hormone (FSH)
A hormone produced by the pituitary gland that stimulates the growth and development of ovarian follicles in women, and the production of sperm in men. - Gonadotropin-releasing Hormone (GnRH)
A hormone released by the hypothalamus that triggers the release of FSH and luteinizing hormone (LH) from the pituitary gland. - Hormones
Chemical messengers produced by the body that regulate various bodily functions, including the menstrual cycle and fertility. - Hysteroscopy
A minimally invasive procedure to examine the inside of the uterus using a thin, lighted tube inserted through the cervix. - Hysterosalpingogram (HSG)
A fertility test used to evaluate the shape and structure of the uterus and fallopian tubes by injecting a dye and taking X-ray images. - Implantation
The process by which a fertilized egg attaches itself to the uterine wall, initiating pregnancy. - Infertility
The inability to conceive after one year of regular, unprotected intercourse or the inability to carry a pregnancy to term. - Insemination
The introduction of sperm into the female reproductive system. - Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI)
A fertility treatment in which a single sperm is injected directly into an egg. - Intrauterine Insemination (IUI)
A fertility treatment involving the placement of prepared sperm directly into the uterus for timed conception. - In vitro fertilization (IVF)
A fertility treatment in which eggs are retrieved from the ovaries and fertilized in a lab setting before being implanted into the uterus. - Luteal phase
The second half of the menstrual cycle after ovulation. - Luteal Phase Defect
A luteal phase defect is a problem with the second half of the menstrual cycle, which can interfere with implantation of the fertilized egg. - Luteinizing Hormone (LH)
A hormone produced by the pituitary gland that stimulates the release of an egg from the ovary in women (ovulation), and the production of testosterone in men. - Male infertility
The inability of a man to impregnate a woman. - Maternal Age
A significant factor in female fertility, as advanced maternal age is associated with decreased ovarian reserve and increased risk of chromosomal abnormalities in embryo. - Menstrual cycle
The monthly hormonal cycle in women that prepares the body for pregnancy. The cycle includes includes ovulation and menstruation. - Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome (OHSS)
A potentially serious complication of fertility medication, characterized by swollen and painful ovaries and fluid accumulation in the abdomen. - Ovarian Reserve
The quantity and quality of a woman’s eggs, typically determined through blood tests and ultrasound examinations. - Ovarian Stimulation
The use of diet, natural remedies, or medication to stimulate the ovaries to produce multiple eggs in preparation for fertility. - Ovaries
The ovaries are a pair of reproductive organs in women that produce eggs and hormones. - Ovulatory Dysfunction
Ovulatory dysfunction refers to a problem with the release of eggs from the ovaries. - Ovulation
The release of a mature egg from the ovary which typically occurs once per month. - Ovulation Induction
The use of fertility drugs such as Clomid or letrozole to stimulate ovulation in women who have difficulty conceiving. - Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)
PCOS is a hormonal disorder that affects women of reproductive age. It is characterized by enlarged ovaries with small cysts, irregular menstrual cycles, and symptoms such as acne and excessive hair growth. PCOS can cause infertility, irregular menstrual cycles, and other health problems. - Preimplantation Genetic Testing (PGT)
Genetic testing performed on embryos before implantation to screen for specific genetic conditions or chromosomal abnormalities. - Recurrent Pregnancy Loss
The occurrence of two or more consecutive miscarriages, often warranting medical investigation and treatment. - Semen Analysis
Laboratory testing to evaluate the quantity, quality, and movement of sperm in a semen sample. - Sperm
Male reproductive cells - Sperm Count
The concentration of sperm in a semen sample, measured to assess male fertility. - Sperm Motility
The ability of sperm to move and swim effectively, crucial for achieving fertilization. - Surrogacy
An arrangement in which a woman carries and gives birth to a baby for another individual or couple, typically involving in vitro fertilization using the intended mother’s eggs or a donor’s eggs. - Testicular Sperm Extraction (TESE)
A surgical procedure to retrieve sperm directly from the testicles for use in assisted reproductive techniques. - Tubal Factor Infertility
Infertility caused by damage or blockage in the fallopian tubes which can prevent the egg from meeting the sperm. - Uterus
The womb in which a fertilized egg implants and grows into a baby. - Uterine Fibroids
Non-cancerous growths in the uterus that can interfere with fertility by obstructing the fallopian tubes or disrupting the implantation of a fertilized egg. - Zygote
The single cell formed by the union of a sperm and an egg.
Navigating the world of fertility can be complex and overwhelming, but having a good grasp of the terminology can empower you to advocate for yourself and make informed decisions about your reproductive health.
This glossary of fertility terms will hopefully provide a valuable resource for anyone seeking to understand the intricacies of fertility treatments, diagnostic procedures, and reproductive anatomy.
