- Amenorrhea
- This refers to the absence of menstrual periods in a woman.
- AMH (Anti-Mullerian Hormone)
- A hormone produced by cells in the ovaries that helps determine a woman’s egg reserve.
- Anovulation
- A menstrual cycle where ovulation doesn’t happen, meaning no egg is released.
- Basal Body Temperature (BBT)
- Body temperature at rest; tracking it over time can help identify ovulation in regular cycles.
- Birth Control Pill (BCP)
- A hormone-based medication taken daily to prevent pregnancy, often used in fertility treatment protocols as well. Although it may seem counterintuitive, BCPs are used for specific purposes during certain stages of fertility treatment.
- Cervical Smear
- A routine test where cells are collected from the cervix (the neck of the womb) to check for infections or pre-cancerous conditions.
- Cycle Day (CD)
- Refers to the day of a woman’s menstrual cycle.
- Cervix
- The lower part of the uterus that opens into the vagina.
- Diminished Ovarian Reserve (DOR)
- A condition where the ovaries have fewer eggs available, affecting both the quantity and quality of eggs. This can result in reduced fertility and difficulty conceiving.
- Down Regulation
- A process where medication is used to temporarily stop the ovaries from functioning.
- Egg Freezing
- A fertility preservation technique where a woman’s eggs are frozen for future use if she wishes to have children later.
- Egg Sharing
- A procedure in which a woman undergoing IVF donates half of her collected eggs to another woman needing donor eggs.
- Endometrioma
- A type of ovarian cyst that contains uterine lining tissue, which bleeds during menstruation. Also called a “chocolate cyst.”
- Endometrium
- The lining of the uterus, essential for embryo implantation.
- ERA (Endometrial Receptivity Analysis)
- A test to determine when the uterine lining is most receptive for embryo transfer during fertility treatments.
- Estradiol (E2)
- A form of estrogen measured during fertility assessments.
- Fallopian Tubes
- Two tubes that connect the ovaries to the uterus, where egg and sperm meet for fertilization.
- Fibroid
- A non-cancerous growth made up of muscle tissue that forms in the uterus.
- Follicle
- A small fluid-filled sac in the ovary where an egg matures before being released during ovulation.
- Folic Acid
- An essential nutrient that helps with the development of a baby’s nervous system, especially important during early pregnancy.
- Follicle Count
- An estimate of ovarian reserve by counting small follicles (2-6mm in size) in the ovaries, indicating the potential for egg production.
- Follicular Phase
- The phase of the menstrual cycle where an egg matures inside the ovary in preparation for ovulation.
- Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH)
- A hormone that stimulates egg growth within the ovaries.
- HyCoSy (Hysterosalpingo Contrast Sonography)
- A short procedure to check for blockages in the fallopian tubes.
- Hypothalamus
- A part of the brain regulating hormones linked to fertility and reproduction.
- Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)
- A treatment that replaces estrogen and progesterone, often used during menopause when hormone levels decline.
- Hormone Screening
- A blood test that provides information on a woman’s hormone levels, helping assess egg production and detect any underlying health conditions.
- Hysterectomy
- A surgical procedure to remove the uterus.
- Hysteroscopy
- A procedure that uses a thin telescope to look inside the uterus, often used to check for conditions like fibroids, polyps, or scarring.
- Luteal Phase Deficiency (LPD)
- A condition where progesterone levels are insufficient during the second half of the menstrual cycle, potentially hindering pregnancy. Treatment may include progesterone supplementation and other interventions.
- Luteinizing Hormone (LH)
- A hormone produced by the pituitary gland, crucial for reproductive function. In women, LH helps regulate the menstrual cycle and triggers ovulation. In men, it stimulates testosterone production, which is essential for sperm development.
- Menarche
- The onset of menstruation, marking the beginning of a female’s reproductive years.
- Oestrogen
- A hormone produced by the ovaries that plays a key role in regulating the menstrual cycle and reproductive system.
- OHSS (Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome)
- A condition where the ovaries become swollen and leak fluid, often as a result of fertility treatments that stimulate egg production.
- Oocyte
- An immature egg cell within the ovaries before it has fully developed.
- Ovaries
- Female reproductive organs that store eggs and produce the hormones estrogen and progesterone.
- Ovarian Cysts
- Fluid-filled sacs that develop on or inside the ovaries during the ovulation process.
- Ovarian Reserve
- The quantity of eggs a woman has left, often assessed through AMH levels.
- Ovulation
- The release of a mature egg from the ovary.
- Ovulation Predictor Kit (OPK)
- A home testing tool that measures luteinizing hormone (LH) in urine to predict your most fertile days. LH levels rise before ovulation, helping indicate when the release of an egg is about to happen.
- Ovum
- A mature female egg cell that, when fertilized by a sperm, can develop into an embryo.
- Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)
- A common hormonal disorder in women of reproductive age that disrupts hormone balance. It can cause irregular ovulation, fertility challenges, weight gain, insulin resistance (pre-diabetes), and elevated levels of male hormones like testosterone.
- Progesterone
- A hormone that prepares the endometrium for embryo implantation.
- Prolactin
- A hormone that stimulates milk production after childbirth. High levels of prolactin in non-pregnant women can disrupt ovulation.
- Recurrent Miscarriage and Implantation Failure
- Having three or more consecutive miscarriages. There are tests and treatments available to identify and address the causes to improve the chances of a successful pregnancy.
- Salpinges
- Another term for the fallopian tubes.
- Salpingitis
- Inflammation of the fallopian tubes, often due to infection.
- Shared Motherhood
- A fertility option where one partner provides the eggs, while the other partner carries the pregnancy, allowing both to share in the experience of family building.
- Tubal Disease
- A condition where a woman’s fallopian tubes are damaged or blocked, affecting fertility.
- Ultrasound Scanning
- A procedure that uses high-frequency sound waves to create images of the pelvic organs, typically the uterus and ovaries, either through the abdomen or vagina.
- Urethra
- The tube that carries urine from the bladder out of the body.
- Trigger Injection
- A hormone shot used to stimulate the release of mature eggs from the ovaries during fertility treatments.
