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Anovulation/Anovulatory Cycle – A menstrual cycle or period of time where the ovaries do not release an egg
Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) – All medical and surgical proceedures related to helping a couple conceive a child/ children after they have tried unsuccessfully without assistance. A broad term used to describe most of the procedures used to achieve a successful pregnancy without sexual intercourse.
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Basal Body Temperature (BBT) – The temperature of your body first thing in the morning upon first awakening. The BBT pattern can help determine when ovulation (the monthly release of an egg from the ovary when you are most fertile) occurs
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Cervical Mucus – Fluid or mucus that plugs the opening of the cervix. During ovulation when an egg is released from the ovary, the consistency of the mucus changes to allow sperm to enter the uterus.
Cervix – The entry into the uterus or womb. A pap smear tests for cancer of the cervix.
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Differential Diagnosis – A list of the different diseases that can cause your symptoms
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Egg (Ovum) –Female sex cells that are produced by the ovary. One egg is released from the ovary each month during ovulation. At birth, the ovaries contain all of the eggs that a woman will ever have.
Egg Donor – A woman who takes medicine to increase the number of eggs that mature in her body in a monthly cycle so that she can donate those eggs to a family suffering with infertility. The eggs are removed by a short surgical proceedure where the doctor aspirates them from the donors ovaries using a needle inserted through the donors vagina.
Embryo – An egg that has been fertilized by a sperm.
Endometriosis – A painful, chronic disease that occurs when the normal tissue that lines the uterus (called endometrial tissue, which is typically shed each month during a womans menses) grows outside of the uterus. In endometriosis, uterine tissue can be found in the inside of the belly and on any of the organs in the belly or pelvis. This disease is a common cause of fertility problems for women. Symptoms of endometriosis can include: pain with periods, pain with sex, infertility, fatigue, and painful urination or bowel movements during periods. The cause of this disease is not fully understood.
Endometrium – The lining of the uterus (womb).
Endocrine Glands – H ormone-producing glands that regulate the body's normal function.
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Fallopian Tubes – The tubes that connect each ovary with the uterus. After an egg is released from the ovary during ovulation, the egg travels into the fallopian tube and then into the uterus. Fertilization of the egg by sperm often occurs while the egg is in the fallopian tube
Fibroids – Benign (noncancerous) growths or tumors that grow within the uterus (womb). These are the most common tumors found in women. Many women often have no symptoms, but some women can develop heavy bleeding, long periods, pelvic pressure or pain, urinary problems, or constipation. Fibroids are sometimes also called fibromyomas, leiomyomas, or myomas
Follicles – Fluid filled sacs within the ovaries that contain maturing eggs. Follicles can be as large as one inch.
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Geneticist – A physician or counselor who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of genetic (inherited) problems
Gestational Surrogate – A woman who becomes pregnant using a form of assisted reproductive technology and carries a baby/ babies for a family who has been experiencing fertility difficulties
GIFT (Gamete Intrafallopian Transfer) – A procedure in which eggs are removed from the ovary via laparoscopy. The eggs are then placed with sperm into the fallopian tube (the tube leading from the ovary to the uterus), where fertilization might occur.
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Hysterosalpingogram – An x-ray of the pelvic organs in which a dye is injected through the cervix into the uterus and fallopian tubes. This test checks for abnormalities of the uterus and blockage of the fallopian tubes.
Hysteroscopy – A minimally-invasive procedure performed by a gynecologist that involves insertion of a small camera into the uterus to take pictures. The camera can help look for fibroids, polyps, or other anatomical abnormalities. This procedure can usually be performed in the office and usually does not require anesthesia.
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Infertility – The inability to become pregnant after one year of unprotected sex if the woman is less than 35 years of age, or after 6 months of unprotected sex if the woman is over 35 years.
Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI) – Injection of a single sperm into an egg in a laboratory. This process might increase the likelihood of fertilization of an egg if fertility problems are a result of problems with sperm.
Intrauterine Insemination (IUI) – A procedure in which sperm are placed directly into the uterus near the time of ovulation. This procedure is most commonly performed when there are problems with the sperm, such as too few sperm, poor sperm movement, or a problem with the sperm interacting with the cervical mucus. IUI increases the chances of pregnancy because the sperm are placed directly in the uterus, bypassing the cervix and improving the delivery of the sperm to the egg. This procedure can be performed using either the partner's sperm or donor sperm.
In Vitro Fertilization - Medical proceedure where a woman's eggs are removed from her body and fertilized by a males' sperm in a laboratory. Typically, the woman is given medication prior to retrieval that allows her to produce several mature eggs and all of the eggs are fertilized by sperm in a laboratory at the same point in time.
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Laparoscopy – A minimally-invasive procedure that uses a small camera to look inside the belly and pelvis at the outside of the uterus and other organs (hysteroscopy looks at the inside of the uterus). This procedure is usually performed in an operating room.
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Ovulation- Process a female undergoes every cycle where she releases one egg from her ovaries. This process must occur if fertilization will occur. For fertilization, a single sperm implants into a single egg and an embryo is formed from that union. The embryo will develop into a fetus and a baby.
Ovum – see definition for egg.
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Perinatologist- An Ob/GYN whose specialty is treating pregnant women who are at risk for delivering early or having other problems associated with pregnancy
Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) – This disease is a very common cause of fertility problems. This disease is often marked by excess hair and abnormal periods such as anovulatory cycles (see above). This can make it harder for a woman to become pregnant.
Post-Coital Test – This test evaluates the interaction between the sperm and the mucus produced by the woman's cervix. This test is performed at a time near ovulation. Sperm must get through the cervical mucus to reach the uterus. The cervical mucus can sometimes be a cause of fertility problems.
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Reproductive Endocrinologist – An OB/GYN who specializes in management of fertility problems.
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Semen Analysis – Analysis of a man's semen (ejaculate) to evaluate sperm for motility (movement), number of sperm, and shape of sperm.
Sperm – The male sex cells that are produced in the testicles. Sperm are continually produced throughout a man's life.
Sperm Donor – The donation of sperm to a family that has been experiencing fertility problems.
Sperm Penetration Test – Sperm penetration tests evaluate whether a man's sperm can travel through cervical mucus or whether the sperm can penetrate an egg.
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Ultrasound – a test that uses sound waves (not radiation or x-rays) to look at internal organs or a pregnancy.
Uterus – Often also called the womb, the female organ where a baby is conceived.
Uterine Fibroids – see fibroids
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