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Navigating infertility can be confusing and overwhelming for many couples. Understanding essential terms and acronyms for commonly used phrases makes the process more manageable. It also keeps you informed and in control of your future.
Below you’ll find a comprehensive fertility glossary to guide you through your fertility journey, including answers to questions like, “What is ICSI?”, and acronyms like AMH, FSH, and PGT-A explained.
Fertility Glossary: A – Z
Anti-mullerian hormone (AMH) – AMH is an essential sex hormone that works differently depending on age and sex. When discussing fertility, AMH refers to the quality and quantity of a woman’s eggs. It also helps preserve ovarian reserves. Fertility doctors can measure AMH to estimate how many viable eggs a woman has left.
Assisted hatching – Assisted hatching is used when the patient is over the age of 37 or has experienced complications with IFV. Assisted hatching involves helping the fertilised embryo separate from its hard outer layer by making a small hole before it’s transferred into the uterus. Assisted hatching isn’t always necessary, depending on the circumstances.
Asthenozoospermia – Slow-moving sperm.
Azoospermia – When a man’s seminal fluid has no sperm.
Blastocyst – A fluid-filled sac that attaches to the uterine wall during implantation.
Blastocyst transfer – When a fertilised embryo (blastocyst) is implanted into a woman’s uterus.
Clomiphene citrate – A medication that stimulates egg follicle production and ovulation.
Cryopreservation – Freezing and storing eggs, embryos, or sperm for future use.
Endometriosis – A condition where the tissue of a woman’s womb lining grows outside the womb.
Egg collection – An important step in the IVF process, where viable eggs are removed from the woman’s ovaries.
Embryo transfer – The step in IVF when fertilised embryos are placed into the woman’s uterus.
Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) – An essential hormone that triggers growth in a woman’s ovaries. FSH also helps generate sperm in men.
Follicle loss/follicular loss – A decrease in the quality and quantity of a woman’s eggs due to ageing.
Follicle tracking/follicular tracking – A series of ultrasound scans used to predict ovulation.
Frozen embryo replacement/transfer (FER/FET) – When previously frozen eggs are thawed and then transferred into a woman’s uterus.
Gonadotropins – Hormones, including FSH and LH, that support healthy reproductive functions.
Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) – Established in 1990, the HFEA is responsible for inspecting, monitoring, and licensing all fertility clinics to ensure patients receive the highest quality of care.
Human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) – An essential hormone produced by pregnant women that creates progesterone. HGC is given to women days before egg retrieval to help their eggs mature.
Hydrosalpinx – When a woman’s fallopian tube is blocked by fluid buildup.
Hystero contrast sonography, aqua scan, or saline installation sonography (SIS) – An ultrasound scan that assesses a woman’s uterine cavity and fallopian tubes.
Hysterosalpingogram (HSG) – An X-ray used to examine a woman’s fallopian tubes and womb.
Hysteroscopy – A procedure that assesses the inside of a woman’s womb using a skinny telescope, light, and camera system.
Implantation – When a fertilised egg (embryo) embeds itself in the uterus lining.
In-vitro fertilisation (IVF) – The process of removing a woman’s eggs, fertilising them, and then placing them back into the woman’s womb.
ICSI (Intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection) – A process similar to IVF that involves injecting sperm directly into the egg. ICSI is common for couples who have had trouble with IVF, poor fertilisation, or issues with the man’s sperm.
Intracytoplasmic morphologically-selected sperm injection (IMSI) – Part of the ICSI process where sperm is examined under a powerful microscope to detect the highest-quality sperm for injection.
Intrauterine insemination (IUI) – A reproductive technique also known as artificial insemination. IUI involves selecting quality sperm and placing them directly into the woman’s uterus.
Laparoscopy – A procedure where a surgeon makes a small incision in the stomach, inserts a camera, and examines the uterus, ovaries, and fallopian tubes. Also known as keyhole surgery.
Luteinising hormone (LH) – A hormone produced by the pituitary gland located in the brain. In men, LH produces testosterone and promotes sperm production. In women, it produces progesterone and oestrogen. LH is vital for ovarian health and function.
Oligozoospermia – An abnormally low ratio of sperm to semen. Also known as low sperm count.
Oligoasthenoteratozoospermia (OATS) – A term used to describe sperm abnormalities including low sperm mobility, low sperm count, and abnormally-shaped sperm.
Ovarian drilling – A procedure where a surgeon drills small holes in the ovaries to treat and remove cysts. Ovarian drilling helps promote pregnancy and regulate a woman’s menstrual cycle, especially in those suffering from polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS).
Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) – Occurs when a woman’s ovaries become overly stimulated due to IVF and other fertility drugs. OHSS can cause pain, swelling, and discomfort.
Ovulation induction – When fertility medications are used to stimulate the ovaries and release mature eggs.
Percutaneous epidymal sperm aspiration (PESA) – During PESA, sperm is taken directly from a tube attached to both testicles where sperm is stored. This procedure is used for men having fertility issues, including blockages where sperm isn’t released during ejaculation.
Preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy (PGT-A) – A procedure used to check for abnormalities in embryos. PGT-A can identify embryos that are less likely to develop and may result in genetic disorders, as well as those that support healthy conception.
Physiological intracytoplasmic sperm injection (PICSI) – A process similar to ICSI, where sperm quality is tested.
Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) – A hormonal condition that affects how a woman’s ovaries work, including an excess of male hormones and difficulty conceiving.
Pre-implantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) – A test used to identify certain genetic diseases or defects in embryo cells. These defects may indicate a high probability of passing them onto the child.
Pre-implantation genetic screening (PGS) – A process similar to PGD where embryo cells are tested for genetic abnormalities, but with no major risk of passing them onto the child.
Premature ovarian failure – When a woman’s ovaries stop making follicles before the age of 40.
Progesterone – A female hormone that plays a crucial role in female menstruation and conception. Progesterone prepares the womb for embryo implantation and supports a healthy pregnancy.
Teratozoospermia – When a man’s semen has extremely high numbers of sperm.
Testicular sperm aspiration (TESA) – A procedure where the male’s sperm is removed directly from the testicles using a needle. This is done before IVF or ICSI. TESA is common among men where sperm is missing from their semen.
Testicular sperm extraction (TeSE) – A procedure used for men who don’t produce sperm when they ejaculate. A small incision is made in the testis, and sperm is extracted and biopsied. This sperm can be used for IVF or ICSI treatments or frozen and stored for future use.
While this fertility glossary isn’t all-inclusive, it does cover some essential terms and acronyms associated with fertility, IVF, and conception. Be sure to browse the rest of our blog before you go for more resources.
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