Fertility Glossary
Comprehensive dictionary of fertility terms and definitions
A
AMH (Anti-Müllerian Hormone)
A hormone produced by the ovarian follicles that helps evaluate ovarian reserve (egg quantity). AMH levels can predict how a woman might respond to fertility medications.
Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART)
Medical procedures used to address infertility, including IVF, ICSI, and other techniques that handle both eggs and sperm.
B
Blastocyst
An embryo that has developed for 5-6 days after fertilization and has differentiated into an inner cell mass (which becomes the fetus) and outer cells (which become the placenta).
C
Controlled Ovarian Stimulation
The use of medications to stimulate the ovaries to produce multiple eggs in a single cycle, typically used in IVF procedures.
E
Embryo Transfer
The procedure in which embryos are placed into the uterus through the cervix using a thin catheter.
Endometriosis
A condition where tissue similar to the uterine lining grows outside the uterus, potentially causing pain, inflammation, and fertility challenges.
F
Follicle
A fluid-filled sac in the ovary that contains a developing egg. During each menstrual cycle, several follicles begin to develop, but typically only one becomes dominant and releases its egg (ovulation).
I
ICSI (Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection)
A procedure where a single sperm is directly injected into an egg to facilitate fertilization, often used in cases of male factor infertility.
IUI (Intrauterine Insemination)
A fertility treatment where specially prepared sperm are placed directly into the uterus around the time of ovulation.
IVF (In Vitro Fertilization)
A procedure where eggs are retrieved from the ovaries and fertilized with sperm in a laboratory. The resulting embryos are then transferred to the uterus.
L
Luteal Phase
The second half of the menstrual cycle, beginning after ovulation and ending with the start of menstruation. During this phase, the corpus luteum produces progesterone to support early pregnancy.
M
Male Factor Infertility
Infertility issues related to sperm quality, quantity, or delivery, accounting for about 30-40% of infertility cases.
O
Ovarian Reserve
A term used to describe the quantity and quality of eggs remaining in a woman’s ovaries, which can be evaluated through tests like AMH, FSH, and antral follicle count.
P
PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome)
A hormonal disorder common among women of reproductive age, characterized by irregular periods, elevated androgen levels, and polycystic ovaries.
PGT (Preimplantation Genetic Testing)
A procedure used to analyze embryos for genetic abnormalities before transfer, including screening for chromosomal abnormalities (PGT-A) or specific genetic disorders (PGT-M).
Ovarian Reserve
A term used to describe the quantity and quality of eggs remaining in a woman’s ovaries, which can be evaluated through tests like AMH, FSH, and antral follicle count.
S
Secondary Infertility
The inability to conceive after 12 months of regular, unprotected intercourse in couples who have previously had a child.
Semen Analysis
A laboratory test that evaluates various parameters of semen including sperm count, motility, morphology, and volume to assess male fertility potential.
T
Trigger Shot
An injection of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) or other medication given during fertility treatment to trigger final egg maturation and ovulation.
U
Unexplained Infertility
A diagnosis given when standard fertility testing cannot identify a specific cause for a couple’s infertility.
V
Vitrification
An ultra-rapid freezing technique used for egg and embryo cryopreservation that prevents ice crystal formation, resulting in higher survival rates after thawing.