Fertility and IVF Glossary

Understanding the terminology related to fertility and IVF treatments can help you make informed decisions on your journey to parenthood. This glossary provides definitions for key terms and concepts commonly used in reproductive health and treatments.

A

• Aneuploidy: The presence of an abnormal number of chromosomes in a cell, which can lead to genetic disorders or miscarriage.
• ART (Assisted Reproductive Technology): Medical procedures used to treat infertility, including IVF, ICSI, and IUI.
• Amenorrhea: The absence of menstruation, which can be a sign of infertility.
• Andrology: The branch of medicine that deals with male health, particularly relating to the problems of the male reproductive system and urological issues.

B

• Blastocyst: An embryo that has developed for five to six days after fertilization and consists of about 100-200 cells.
• BMI (Body Mass Index): A measure of body fat based on height and weight that can impact fertility.
• Basal Body Temperature (BBT): The body’s lowest resting temperature, which can help track ovulation when measured daily.

C

• Cervical Mucus: Fluid produced by the cervix that changes in consistency throughout the menstrual cycle, aiding in sperm transport.
• Cryopreservation: The process of freezing eggs, sperm, or embryos for future use in fertility treatments.
• Clomid: A medication used to stimulate ovulation in women who have difficulty ovulating naturally.
• Corpus Luteum: A hormone-secreting structure that develops in an ovary after an egg has been discharged but degenerates after a few days unless pregnancy has begun.

D

• DHEA (Dehydroepiandrosterone): A hormone that can improve ovarian function and egg quality in women with diminished ovarian reserve.
• Donor Egg/Sperm: Eggs or sperm provided by a donor for use in fertility treatments.
• D&C (Dilation and Curettage): A surgical procedure to remove tissue from the inside of the uterus, often used after a miscarriage.

E

• Ectopic Pregnancy: A pregnancy in which the embryo implants outside the uterus, usually in the fallopian tube.
• Embryo Transfer: The process of placing an embryo into the uterus during an IVF cycle.
• Endometriosis: A condition where tissue similar to the lining inside the uterus grows outside the uterus, often causing pain and infertility.
• Estradiol: A form of estrogen, a hormone involved in the development of the female reproductive system and secondary sexual characteristics.

F

• Fertility Preservation: Techniques used to preserve eggs, sperm, or embryos for future use, often used by individuals undergoing medical treatments that may affect fertility.
• Follicle: A fluid-filled sac in the ovary that contains an immature egg.
• FSH (Follicle-Stimulating Hormone): A hormone produced by the pituitary gland that stimulates the growth of ovarian follicles in women and sperm production in men.
• Frozen Embryo Transfer (FET): The process of thawing and transferring a previously frozen embryo into the uterus.

G

• Gestational Carrier: A woman who carries and delivers a baby for another person or couple, also known as a surrogate.
• GnRH (Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone): A hormone that stimulates the release of FSH and LH from the pituitary gland.
• GIFT (Gamete Intrafallopian Transfer): A fertility treatment that involves placing eggs and sperm directly into the fallopian tubes for fertilization.

H

• HCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin): A hormone produced during pregnancy that is often used in fertility treatments to trigger ovulation.
• Hysteroscopy: A procedure that uses a thin, lighted tube to examine the inside of the uterus.
• Hyperprolactinemia: A condition of elevated prolactin levels in the blood, which can disrupt menstrual cycles and fertility.
• Hysterosalpingography (HSG): An X-ray test that looks at the inside of the uterus and fallopian tubes to check for blockages or other issues.

I

• ICSI (Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection): A procedure in which a single sperm is injected directly into an egg to achieve fertilization.
• IUI (Intrauterine Insemination): A fertility treatment that involves placing sperm directly into the uterus to facilitate fertilization.
• IVF (In Vitro Fertilization): A process of fertilizing an egg outside the body and then implanting the embryo into the uterus.
• Implantation: The process by which a fertilized egg attaches to the lining of the uterus.

L

• Laparoscopy: A minimally invasive surgical procedure used to examine and treat conditions affecting the reproductive organs.
• Luteal Phase: The second half of the menstrual cycle, following ovulation, during which the uterine lining prepares for a potential pregnancy.
• LH (Luteinizing Hormone): A hormone that triggers ovulation and stimulates the production of other reproductive hormones.

M

• Miscarriage: The spontaneous loss of a pregnancy before the 20th week.
• Morphology: The size and shape of sperm, which can affect fertility.
• Myomectomy: A surgical procedure to remove fibroids from the uterus.

O

• Oocyte: An immature egg cell.
• Ovarian Reserve: The capacity of the ovaries to produce viable eggs.
• Ovarian Stimulation: The use of medications to stimulate the ovaries to produce multiple eggs during a single menstrual cycle.
• Ovary: The female reproductive organ that produces eggs and hormones.

P

• PGT (Preimplantation Genetic Testing): Testing embryos for genetic abnormalities before transferring them to the uterus during IVF.
• PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome): A hormonal disorder that can cause irregular menstrual cycles and infertility.
• Prolactin: A hormone that stimulates milk production and can affect menstrual cycles and fertility.
• Progesterone: A hormone produced by the ovaries that prepares the uterine lining for pregnancy and supports early pregnancy.

R

• Reproductive Endocrinologist: A physician who specializes in diagnosing and treating infertility and other reproductive disorders.
• Recipient: A woman who receives donor eggs or embryos.

S

• Semen Analysis: A test that evaluates the quantity and quality of a man’s sperm.
• Surrogacy: An arrangement in which a woman carries and delivers a child for another person or couple.
• Sperm Motility: The ability of sperm to move efficiently, which is crucial for fertilization.
• Sonohysterography: A procedure in which saline is injected into the uterus to improve the visualization of the uterine cavity during an ultrasound.

T

• TESE (Testicular Sperm Extraction): A surgical procedure to retrieve sperm directly from the testicles.
• Tubal Ligation: A surgical procedure for female sterilization in which the fallopian tubes are cut or blocked.
• Teratozoospermia: A condition characterized by the presence of sperm with abnormal morphology.
• Timed Intercourse: Planning sexual intercourse around the time of ovulation to increase the chances of conception.

U

• Ultrasound: An imaging technique used to monitor the development of follicles, the uterus, and the embryo during fertility treatments.
• Uterine Lining: The inner layer of the uterus that thickens each month in preparation for pregnancy.
• Uterus: The female reproductive organ where a fertilized egg implants and develops into a fetus.

V

• Varicocele: Enlarged veins in the scrotum that can affect sperm production and quality.
• Vitrification: A rapid freezing process used in cryopreservation to prevent ice crystal formation.

Z

• Zygote: A fertilized egg before it begins dividing into an embryo.
• Zona Pellucida: The outer layer of an egg that the sperm must penetrate to fertilize the egg.

Need More Information?

If you have any questions or need more information about any of these terms, please don’t hesitate to contact us. Our team at Dr. Mehmet Koç’s Clinic is here to support you on your fertility journey.

Contact Us

• Phone: +905313839281
• Email: info@drmehmetkoc.com
• Address: Fulya Mh. Büyükdere Cd. No:74 Torun Center Yatay Ofis D:174 Şişli/İstanbul/Turkey