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    Component: Glossary List Item Categories: Biological Terms or Anatomy
    A

    Amenorrhea

    The absence of menstrual bleeding for six months or more.

    Component: Glossary List Item Categories: Biological Terms or Anatomy
    A

    Anovulation

    A cycle in which ovaries do not release an egg. Can occur with or without menstruation.

    Component: Glossary List Item Categories: Biological Terms or Anatomy
    A

    Assisted Hatching

    A lab technique that breaks down the outer proteins of an embryo to help it implant into the uterus.

    Component: Glossary List Item Categories: Biological Terms or Anatomy
    A

    Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART)

    Technologies such as Intrauterine Insemination (IUI), In Vitro Fertilization (IVF), and fertility medications that are used to treat infertility.

    Component: Glossary List Item Categories: Biological Terms or Anatomy
    A

    Azoospermia

    A condition when a man does not have any measurable sperm in semen.

    Component: Glossary List Item Categories:
    B

    Beta hCG Pregnancy Test

    Blood pregnancy test that measures the level of the hormone called human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). Also known simply as a 'beta', this is the test that is administered to IVF patients following the 'two week wait' to verify success or failure of an IVF cycle.

    Component: Glossary List Item Categories: Biological Terms or Anatomy
    B

    Biochemical Pregnancy

    Also called a Chemical Pregnancy, this is a pregnancy that is miscarried very early, before the pregnancy can be seen on ultrasound, but after the pregnancy can be detected by a blood test. In a biochemical pregnancy, the embryo implants, but doesn't develop past a few days or weeks.

    Component: Glossary List Item Categories: Biological Terms or Anatomy
    C

    Canceled Cycle

    Ending a cycle of ART due to lack of fertilization, problems with follicle development, or other causes.

    Component: Glossary List Item Categories: Biological Terms or Anatomy
    C

    Chromosome

    A strand of DNA that carries genetic information. People have 23 pairs.

    Component: Glossary List Item Categories: Biological Terms or Anatomy
    C

    Clinical Pregnancy

    A pregnancy that is confirmed by ultrasound. This differentiates a Clinical Pregnancy from a Biochemical or 'Chemical' Pregnancy.

    Component: Glossary List Item Categories: Biological Terms or Anatomy
    C

    Clomiphene Citrate (Clomid)

    A fertility medication that stimulates ovaries to release one, or sometimes more than one, egg(s) per month.

    Component: Glossary List Item Categories: Biological Terms or Anatomy
    C

    Corpus Luteum

    A gland located in the ovary that produces progesterone after ovulation and during early pregnancy.

    Component: Glossary List Item Categories: Biological Terms or Anatomy
    C

    Cycle

    A round of fertility (usually IVF) treatment. A normal cycle takes approximately one month to complete.

    Component: Glossary List Item Categories: Biological Terms or Anatomy
    D

    Dilation and Curettage (D&C)

    A procedure in which a physician dilates the cervix to remove tissue –- often the uterine lining or early abnormal pregnancy –- from the uterus.

    Component: Glossary List Item Categories: Biological Terms or Anatomy
    D

    Donor Egg

    Unfertilized eggs collected from healthy young female donors, fertilized, then transferred to another woman's (recipient's) uterus in an IVF treatment cycle.

    Component: Glossary List Item Categories: Biological Terms or Anatomy
    D

    Donor Sperm

    Sperm collected from healthy young male donors to fertilize eggs. Collected sperm is normally frozen for six months or more and often used in In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) or in Intrauterine Insemination (IUI).

    Component: Glossary List Item Categories: Biological Terms or Anatomy
    E

    Ectopic Pregnancy

    When an embryo implants outside of the uterus it is called an ectopic pregnancy. These pregnancies can cause severe complications.

    Component: Glossary List Item Categories: Biological Terms or Anatomy
    E

    Egg Retrieval

    The process in which eggs are removed from the ovarian follicles via a thin needle for use in an IVF procedure.

    Component: Glossary List Item Categories: Biological Terms or Anatomy
    E

    Embryo

    The first stage of human development, the fertilized egg is referred to as an embryo for 8 weeks, after which, it is referred to as a fetus.

    Component: Glossary List Item Categories: Biological Terms or Anatomy
    E

    Embryo Transfer

    During IVF, the step in which the embryo(s) is transferred into the uterus.

    Component: Glossary List Item Categories: Biological Terms or Anatomy
    E

    Endometriosis

    A disorder in which the uterine lining (endometrium) is present in areas outside of the uterus, such as the ovaries, peritoneal cavity and fallopian tubes.

    Component: Glossary List Item Categories: Biological Terms or Anatomy
    E

    Endometrium

    Tissue that lines the uterus.

    Component: Glossary List Item Categories: Biological Terms or Anatomy
    F

    Fertility Preservation

    The controlled freezing of sperm, eggs or embryos to preserve them for future fertility treatment.

    Component: Glossary List Item Categories: Biological Terms or Anatomy
    F

    Fertilization

    When the sperm unites with the egg.

    Component: Glossary List Item Categories: Biological Terms or Anatomy
    F

    Fibroid

    A benign tumor, usually occurring in the uterine wall.

    Component: Glossary List Item Categories: Biological Terms or Anatomy
    F

    Follicle

    Fluid-filled sacs in the ovaries that each hold an egg. The follicles secrete hormones related to the menstrual cycle.

    Component: Glossary List Item Categories: Biological Terms or Anatomy
    F

    Follicular Phase

    The menstrual cycle’s first phase, which starts when menstrual bleeding begins and follicles begin to mature.

    Component: Glossary List Item Categories: Biological Terms or Anatomy
    G

    Gonadotropins

    A type of hormone that stimulates follicular and egg development and is used during ovulation induction.

    Component: Glossary List Item Categories: Biological Terms or Anatomy
    H

    Hormones

    Chemical messengers that regulate activities of organs.

    Component: Glossary List Item Categories: Biological Terms or Anatomy
    H

    Hypothyroidism

    A condition in which the body lacks enough thyroid hormone. This can lead to fatigue, impaired fertility and a slow metabolism.

    Component: Glossary List Item Categories: Biological Terms or Anatomy
    H

    Hysterosalpingogram (HSG)

    An X-ray procedure to observe the uterus and fallopian tubes.

    Component: Glossary List Item Categories: Biological Terms or Anatomy
    H

    Hysteroscopy

    A procedure in which a thin viewing tool is inserted through the cervix to examine the uterus.

    Component: Glossary List Item Categories: Biological Terms or Anatomy
    I

    Implantation

    When a fertilized egg embeds in the lining of the uterus it is called implantation.

    Component: Glossary List Item Categories: Biological Terms or Anatomy
    I

    In Vitro Fertilization (IVF)

    A process of fertilization where the egg and the sperm are combined in a laboratory to create a viable embryo, which will be implanted into the uterus. More commonly, IVF refers to the entire treatment process. “In Vitro” means “in glass” and refers to the glass of the laboratory dish.

    Component: Glossary List Item Categories: Biological Terms or Anatomy
    I

    Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI)

    Injecting a single sperm directly into an egg; often used during IVF to ensure fertilization of eggs.

    Component: Glossary List Item Categories: Biological Terms or Anatomy
    I

    Intrauterine Insemination (IUI)

    An Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) where specially prepared sperm is introduced directly into the uterus.

    Component: Glossary List Item Categories: Biological Terms or Anatomy
    K

    Karyotype

    A test that screens for possible genetic abnormalities through the analysis of chromosomes.

    Component: Glossary List Item Categories: Biological Terms or Anatomy
    K

    Kaparoscopy

    Laparoscopic procedure to examine the fallopian tubes, uterus, pelvis and ovaries; performed through a small incision in the abdomen.

    Component: Glossary List Item Categories: Biological Terms or Anatomy
    L

    Luteinizing Hormone (LH) Surge

    Phase in the menstrual cycle when Luteinizing Hormone is secreted in a surge, indicating that ovulation is imminent. The LH Surge can be measured by ovulation predictor kits.

    Component: Glossary List Item Categories: Biological Terms or Anatomy
    L

    Luteal Phase

    The final stage of the menstrual cycle. It begins after ovulation and ends with pregnancy or menses.

    Component: Glossary List Item Categories: Biological Terms or Anatomy
    M

    Miscarriage

    Loss of a fetus or embryo; occurs in approximately 20% of pregnancies.

    Component: Glossary List Item Categories: Biological Terms or Anatomy
    M

    Mittleschmerz

    A slight cramping or pain in the abdomen associated with ovulation.

    Component: Glossary List Item Categories: Biological Terms or Anatomy
    M

    Myomectomy

    The surgical procedure that removes fibroids from the uterine wall.

    Component: Glossary List Item Categories: Biological Terms or Anatomy
    O

    Oligomenorrhea

    Infrequent or light menstruation.

    Component: Glossary List Item Categories: Biological Terms or Anatomy
    O

    Oligospermia

    When semen contains low levels of sperm.

    Component: Glossary List Item Categories: Biological Terms or Anatomy
    O

    Oocyte

    The female sex cell; also called an egg, ovum or gamete.

    Component: Glossary List Item Categories: Biological Terms or Anatomy
    O

    Ovarian Cyst

    A fluid-filled sac located in the ovary. Ovarian cysts may or may not cause issues.

    Component: Glossary List Item Categories: Biological Terms or Anatomy
    O

    Ovarian Failure

    Inadequate functioning of the ovary; often associated with FSH levels.

    Component: Glossary List Item Categories: Biological Terms or Anatomy
    O

    Ovulation

    When the ovary releases the mature egg during the menstrual cycle.

    Component: Glossary List Item Categories: Biological Terms or Anatomy
    O

    Ovulation Induction

    The use of fertility drugs to stimulate the maturation and release of eggs.

    Component: Glossary List Item Categories: Biological Terms or Anatomy
    P

    Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)

    A metabolic and hormonal imbalance that is characterized by multiple small cysts on the ovaries. It is often accompanied by issues such as infertility, facial and abdominal hair growth, menstrual problems and weight gain.

    Component: Glossary List Item Categories: Biological Terms or Anatomy
    P

    Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD) and Screening (PGS)

    Genetic testing procedures for embryos created via IVF.

    Component: Glossary List Item Categories: Biological Terms or Anatomy
    P

    Progesterone

    A hormone produced by the ovary that prepares the uterus for pregnancy.

    Component: Glossary List Item Categories: Biological Terms or Anatomy
    R

    Recurrent Pregnancy Loss

    When a woman experiences two or more miscarried pregnancies.

    Component: Glossary List Item Categories: Biological Terms or Anatomy
    S

    Semen Analysis (SA)

    Examining semen to assess sperm count, motility (movement) and morphology (shape).

    Component: Glossary List Item Categories: Biological Terms or Anatomy
    S

    Sperm

    The male reproductive cell.

    Component: Glossary List Item Categories: Biological Terms or Anatomy
    T

    Testicular/Epididymal Sperm Aspiration (TESA)

    A technique for sperm retrieval where sperm are extracted with a needle.

    Component: Glossary List Item Categories: Biological Terms or Anatomy
    V

    Vaginal Ultrasound

    Technique that uses a device inserted into the vagina to view the uterus, follicles, fetus, etc.

    Component: Glossary List Item Categories: Biological Terms or Anatomy
    V

    Varicocele

    A condition that can sometimes lead to male infertility; caused by varicose veins in the scrotum that raise the temperature of the testicles.