Glossary of Fertility Treatment Terms
Navigating fertility treatment can feel overwhelming, especially with the many medical terms and abbreviations used throughout the process. Our Glossary of Fertility Treatment Terms is designed to help you understand key terminology related to fertility testing, treatments, and reproductive health.
Whether you're exploring IVF, IUI, egg freezing, or other infertility treatments, this guide provides clear, concise definitions to support you on your journey. At RMA, we believe informed patients make empowered decisions—so use this resource to gain confidence as you move forward in your fertility care.
Infertility Terms and Definitions
Browse the glossary below to learn more about the terms you'll encounter during your fertility journey.
| Glossary Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Anovulation | A disorder in which eggs do not develop properly or are not released from the ovaries. |
| Anti-Müllerian Hormone (AMH) | A lab test used to assess a woman’s ovarian reserve or egg count. Produced by small follicles in the ovaries. |
| Artificial Insemination | Refers to Intrauterine Insemination (IUI), where sperm is inserted into a woman’s uterus during ovulation. |
| Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) | An umbrella term for fertility treatments involving eggs and sperm, such as IVF. |
| Blastocyst | An embryo developed for 5–6 days post-fertilization, just before implantation in the uterus. |
| Cervical Mucus | Clear, egg-white-like discharge that helps sperm travel through the cervix during ovulation. |
| Cervix | Lower part of the uterus that connects to the vagina and allows sperm to enter the uterus. |
| Egg Donation | Egg donation involves a woman donating her eggs to another woman who is unable to produce healthy eggs for conception. |
| Egg Freezing | Egg freezing, or oocyte cryopreservation, is the process of preserving a woman's eggs for future use. |
| Embryo | An embryo is the early stage of development after fertilization, typically lasting until the eighth week of gestation. |
| Embryo Biopsy | A procedure where a small number of cells are removed from an embryo for genetic testing before transfer during IVF. |
| Endocrinology | The study of hormones and their impact on reproductive health, including fertility-related hormone levels. |
| Endometrial Biopsy | A medical procedure in which a small sample of the uterine lining is removed for diagnostic purposes. |
| Endometriosis | A condition in which tissue similar to the uterine lining grows outside the uterus, often causing pain and fertility challenges. Effective treatments are available. |
| Endometrium | The inner lining of the uterus that thickens each month and is essential for embryo implantation during pregnancy. |
| Erectile Dysfunction | The persistent inability to maintain an erection sufficient for sexual intercourse. It can affect a man’s fertility. |
| Fallopian Tubes | Slender tubes connecting the ovaries to the uterus; the usual site of fertilization and essential for egg transport. |
| Fertility Specialist | Also known as a reproductive endocrinologist, a medical doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating fertility issues. |
| Fibroids | Noncancerous growths in the uterus that can interfere with fertility if they affect the uterine cavity or implantation. |
| Follicle | A small sac in the ovaries that contains an immature egg. A mature follicle releases the egg during ovulation. |
| Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) | A hormone measured via bloodwork to assess how hard your body is working to grow eggs. Indicates ovarian reserve. |
| Genetic Testing | Analyzing an individual’s genes to identify potential abnormalities or risks affecting fertility or offspring health. |
| Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG) | A hormone produced during pregnancy. It's what most pregnancy tests detect for a positive result. |
| Hysterosalpingogram (HSG) | A special X-ray used to evaluate the shape of the uterus and check if the fallopian tubes are open or blocked. |
| Hysteroscopy | A procedure using a lighted tube to examine and treat issues inside the uterus, such as polyps or fibroids. |
| In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) | A process in which eggs are retrieved and fertilized with sperm in a lab, with embryos then transferred into the uterus. |
| Infertility | The inability to conceive after 12 months of unprotected intercourse (6 months for women over 35). |
| Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI) | A procedure during IVF in which a single sperm is injected directly into an egg, often used in cases of male factor infertility. |
| Intrauterine Insemination (IUI) | A non-surgical fertility treatment that involves placing sperm directly into a woman’s uterus to improve the chances of fertilization. |
| Laparoscopy | A minimally invasive surgical procedure using a small camera to diagnose or treat reproductive health issues such as endometriosis or tubal blockage. |
| Luteinizing Hormone (LH) | A hormone that triggers ovulation. It surges when an egg is ready to be released from the ovary. |
| Male Factor Infertility | Infertility related to problems with sperm quality, count, or motility in the male partner. |
| Menopause | The natural end of a woman's reproductive years, marked by the end of menstrual cycles and hormone decline. |
| Menstrual Cycle | The monthly process in a woman’s body involving ovulation and preparation of the uterine lining for pregnancy. |
| Miscarriage | Loss of a pregnancy before 20 weeks gestation, often due to genetic abnormalities or health conditions. |
| Motility | Refers to the ability of sperm to move efficiently. Good motility is essential for fertilization. |
| OB/GYN | A doctor specializing in obstetrics (pregnancy and childbirth) and gynecology (female reproductive health). |
| Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome (OHSS) | A condition that can occur during fertility treatments when the ovaries over-respond to stimulation, causing swelling and pain. |
| Ovulation | The release of a mature egg from the ovary, typically occurring midway through the menstrual cycle and necessary for conception. |
| Ovulation Dysfunction | Irregular or absent ovulation, often due to hormonal imbalances or medical conditions, and a common cause of infertility. |
| Ovulation Induction (OI) | A fertility treatment using medication to stimulate the ovaries to produce and release multiple eggs for conception. |
| Ovulation Predictor Kit (OPK) | A home test that detects a rise in luteinizing hormone (LH) to help identify when ovulation is about to occur. |
| Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) | An infection of the reproductive organs, often caused by STIs, that can lead to scarring, blocked fallopian tubes, and infertility if untreated. |
| Penis | The male reproductive organ that delivers sperm into the female reproductive tract during intercourse. |
| Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) | A hormonal disorder causing irregular or absent ovulation. Common and treatable, PCOS is a major cause of infertility in women. |
| Pre-Implantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD) | Genetic testing during IVF to screen embryos for specific inherited diseases before implantation. |
| Pre-implantation Genetic Testing for Aneuploidy (PGT-A) | A test that evaluates embryos for abnormal numbers of chromosomes, improving chances of implantation and healthy pregnancy. |
| Pre-implantation Genetic Testing for Monogenic Disorders (PGT-M) | A form of genetic testing used during IVF to screen embryos for specific single-gene disorders before implantation. |
| Pre-implantation Tissue Typing (PTT) | A test used to select embryos that match a sibling’s tissue type for potential stem cell or bone marrow donation. |
| Recurrent Pregnancy Loss (RPL) | Defined as two or more miscarriages. May be caused by genetic, anatomical, hormonal, or immune factors. |
| Reproductive Endocrinologist | A physician who specializes in diagnosing and treating hormonal and fertility issues, often referred to as a fertility specialist. |
| Retroverted Uterus | Also known as a tilted uterus, it leans backward toward the spine instead of forward. Common and usually not a cause of infertility. |
| Secondary Infertility | Difficulty conceiving or carrying a pregnancy to term after previously having one or more successful pregnancies. |
| Semen | The fluid released during ejaculation that contains sperm and other substances to support fertility. |
| Semen Analysis | A test evaluating sperm count, motility, and morphology to assess male fertility potential. |
| Single Embryo Transfer (SET) | A fertility treatment approach where only one embryo is transferred into the uterus to reduce the risk of multiples. |
| Sonogram | Also called an ultrasound, this imaging technique uses sound waves to visualize the uterus, ovaries, or a developing pregnancy. |
| Sperm | Male reproductive cells produced in the testicles that are responsible for fertilizing a female egg. |
| Surrogacy | An arrangement in which a woman carries and delivers a baby for someone else, often using IVF with donor or intended parent’s gametes. |
| Testicles | The male reproductive organs responsible for producing sperm and the hormone testosterone. |
| Tubal Factor Infertility | Infertility caused by blocked or damaged fallopian tubes, preventing the egg and sperm from meeting. |
| Tubal Pregnancy | A type of ectopic pregnancy where the fertilized egg implants in a fallopian tube instead of the uterus. This is a medical emergency. |
| Ultrasound | A medical imaging method using sound waves to create visuals of reproductive organs and monitor pregnancy development. |
| Unexplained Infertility | A diagnosis given when no specific cause of infertility is found after thorough evaluation of both partners. |
| Uterus | A pear-shaped organ in the female pelvis where a fertilized egg implants and a pregnancy develops. |
| Vagina | The muscular canal leading from the cervix to the outside of the body, involved in menstruation, intercourse, and childbirth. |
| Vasectomy | A surgical procedure for male sterilization in which the vas deferens is cut or sealed to prevent sperm from entering the semen. |
| Vitrification | A rapid freezing process used in fertility treatments to preserve eggs, embryos, or sperm for future use. |
| X Chromosome | One of the two human sex chromosomes. Females have two X chromosomes; males have one X and one Y. |
| Y Chromosome | The sex chromosome that, when paired with an X chromosome, determines male biological sex. Present only in males. |
| Zygote | The single-cell organism formed when a sperm fertilizes an egg. The earliest stage of human development. |
