Adhesions
Fibrous bands that form between tissues and organs, often as a result of injury during surgery. They may be thought of as internal scar tissue that connects tissues not typically connected.
Andrologist
A medical doctor or PhD who specializes in the study of male reproduction and performs laboratory evaluations of male fertility.
Anovulation
A condition in which a woman does not ovulate (produce and release eggs). This can occur with or without menstruation.
Anti-Müllerian Hormone (AMH)
The AMH hormone gives an estimate of a woman's remaining egg quantity, or ovarian reserve.
Assisted Hatching
An embryology laboratory procedure that helps create a small hole in the 'shell' of the embryo to help it hatch out to implant.
Basal Body Temperature
The body temperature of a woman, immediately upon awakening, before any activity. It may be evidence of ovulation having recently occurred.
Beta HCG Test (BhCG)
A blood test to determine pregnancy. If a woman is pregnant it gives a positive reading of Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG).
Cancelled Cycle
The discontinuation of an assisted reproductive technology (ART) cycle.
Cervical Mucus
Secretions produced by the cervix. The thickness of this mucus varies according to the phase of the menstrual cycle.
Donor Egg
The use of someone else's eggs to achieve pregnancy.
Donor Sperm
The use of someone else's sperm to achieve pregnancy.
Ectopic Pregnancy
A pregnancy in which the embryo implants outside the uterine cavity.
Embryo
The stage of development before a fetus, from the point of conception to the eighth week of pregnancy.
Fallopian Tube
Either of a pair of tubes that allow for the eggs to travel from an ovary to the uterus.
Fertilization
Penetration of an egg by a sperm and the fusion of genetic material.
Gamete
A sperm or an egg.
Gestational Carrier
A woman who becomes pregnant through IVF with the eggs of the intended mother and sperm of the intended father.
Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG)
A hormone secreted during pregnancy by the placenta.
Hysterosalpingogram (HSG)
An X-ray procedure used to determine whether the fallopian tubes are open and capable of functioning properly.
Idiopathic Infertility
The term is used when even after an infertility work-up is done, no reason can be found to explain the cause of a couple's infertility.
In Vitro Fertilization (IVF)
A procedure in which one or more eggs, each removed from a ripe follicle, is fertilized by a sperm outside the human body.
Laparoscopy
A surgical procedure in which a telescope-like device is inserted through a small incision near the navel to view the pelvic cavity.
Male Factor Infertility
The condition when a couple's infertility is attributed to the man.
Oligo-Ovulation
Irregular ovulation where ovulation is not happening often.
Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)
A condition found in women who do not ovulate regularly.
Recurrent Pregnancy Loss (RPL)
Defined as two or more consecutive miscarriages in the first trimester of pregnancy.
Secondary Infertility
The inability to conceive or carry a pregnancy after having conceived and carried one or more pregnancies.
Testosterone
The most potent male sex hormone. It is produced in the testes.
Ultrasound
A technique used to view the follicles in the ovaries or the fetus in the uterus.
Varicocele
A collection of varicose veins in the scrotum, which may be associated with poor sperm quality.
Zygote
A fertilized egg or embryo, in the early stages of development.