Glossary
Explore commonly used medical terms.
The anterior part of the head of the sperm cell.
Artificial Insemination
Procedure done to collect the male’s semen and directly inject it into female’s uterus after the necessary preparation. Normally, the husband sperm are used and it is called AIH (Artificial insemination with Husband sperm).
Asthenospermia
A condition wherein sperm are alive and sperm concentration is sufficient but the sperm are not moving at all.
Asthenozoospermia
This is when sperm motility is less than 50% or when active sperm that makes a straight-line motion is less than 25%.
Azoospermia
A condition wherein no sperm exists in the semen. There are cases in which sperm are created but not transported (obstructive azoospermia) and cases in which sperm are not produced (non-obstructive azoospermia).
A group of cells that develops into the embryo after it implants in the uterine wall.
Blastocyst Transfer
Blastocyst Transfer or BT is a treatment that cultivates the fertilized egg outside the body for 5 days to grow the egg until the stage before implantation. The egg is then transferred back into the uterus. The rate of implantation is 2 times more than the normal four-cell transfer, making this is an extremely effective treatment for people who have problems in the fallopian tube or have had many transfers before.
The chance of an unsuccessful blastocyst freezing. This is because the egg does not grow into a blastocyst after its retrieval and fertilization.
Cervical Mucus
This is a viscous and transparent vaginal secretion which happens three to four days before ovulation. It is produced by cervical mucus gland and reacts to Estradiol (E2), which is a hormone released from a mature follicle. Cervical mucus creates an environment that makes it easier for the sperm to enter the uterus.
Chlamydia
A sexually transmitted infection caused by the bacteria Chlamydia trachomatis. This bacteria causes urethritis and prostatitis for males and cervicitis for females.
Chorionic tissue from an aborted fetus
When implantation of fertilized egg takes place on the endometrium, it takes root and tries to get nutrition from the mother’s body. Chorionic tissue is the part that makes this action.
Clomiphene Citrate
A type of internal medicine widely used in fertility treatment that induces ovulation in a woman. This is used in Clomiphene cycle ovulation.
Clomiphene Cycle
Cycle which uses Clomiphene citrate to induce ovulation. It grows the egg and delays natural ovulation.
Cryotop Method
A method to carry out vitrification by using a thin board-shaped tool called cryotop.
Cyst Formation
Ill-conditioned sac filled with fluid.
Hormone secretion is controlled by the brain’s pituitary gland. If a person’s hormone secretion is abnomal, it is caused by a functional disorder of this gland.
Dominant Follicle
The one follicle among a number of follicles that grows large and becomes ready for ovulation.
A type of female follicle hormone that increases endometrium thickness and stimulates the secretion of cervical mucus.
Embryo Transfer
This is the treatment that transfers the fertilized egg back into the uterus at the cleavage or blastocyst stage.
Endometriosis
A condition wherein endometrial tissue exists outside the uterus or in other organs. If it occurs in the ovary, it becomes the cause of chocolate cysts and adhesions.
Endometrium
Tissue that serves as the inner lining of the uterus.
Estrogen
A hormone secreted from the ovaries. It is also a type of follicle hormone.
Estrogen Drug
This drug supplements the follicle hormone, which is a female hormone. An example of this is Premarin.
A fringe of tissue at the end of fallopian tubes. The fimbria catches the ovulated egg and transfers it to the fallopian tube. If adhesion of fimbria occurs, it cannot capture the egg into the fallopian tube and which becomes a cause of infertility.
Fresh Blastocyst Transfer
A process wheirein a blastocyst is transferred after ovulation without freezing it.
Frozen Blastocyst Transfer
A process wherein a blastocyst that has been retrieved and freezed before is transferred into the uterus.
FSH (Follicle Stimulating Hormone)
This is a hormone secreted by the pituitary gland which stimulates the ovaries and growth of follicle.
This medicine controls the pituitary gland in the brain, specifically the production of FSH (follicular stimulating hormone) and LH (luteinizing hormone). It comes in the form of a nasal spray. It raises the LH and FSH in a short time and is used for ovulation or egg retrieval.
A type of ovulation induction drug widely used in fertility treatment. The drug is injected, and contains both the Follicle Stimulating Hormone and the Luteinizing Hormone.
HR cycle (Hormone supplement cycle)
A cycle that controls all hormones through the use of medication. Ovulation will not happen and follicles will not grow. Basal body temperature will stay at the same level as well.
HSG (hysterosalpingography)
A procedure that examines the condition of the fallopian tube to determine whether there are abnormalities in the uterus shape or any blockage in fallopian tube. Radiocontrast agents wiill be placed into the uterus and then an x-ray image will be taken.
A condition where the embryo is unable to implant itself on the wall of uterus. Poor growth of endometrium or insufficient attachment factors can be the causes.
In Vitro Fertilization
Treatment wherein sperm fertilizes an egg outside the body. The fertlized egg (embryo) is then transferred back to into the woman’s uterus.
Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI)
This technique is applied when there is a problem with the number or shape of sperm. Through the procedure, fertilization is done by using a needle and directly injecting one sperm into a retrieved egg.
This treatment cycle helps people who have menstrual irregularity or amenorrhea normalize their menstruation cycle.
A diagnosis method done by opening a small hole in the abdomen, putting an endoscope inside, and observing the images on a monitor. If necessary, tissue samples can be taken out during this procedure.
LH (Luteinizing Hormone)
This hormone, which is secreted from pituitary gland, instructs ovulation.
LH surge
LH surge is the sudden release of mass amounts of luteinizing hormone (LH). It becomes the direct trigger of ovulation, and the time between an LH surge and ovulation is about 40 hours.
Luteal Function Test
This examination measures the progesterone in the blood when one’s has a higher body temperature after ovulation. Progensterone has an important function for implantation and growth of the fertilized egg.
Luteal Insufficiency
This pertains to the lack of luteal hormone secretion. This is caused by various reasons, an example of which is having an ovulation abnormality.
A condition wherein sperm exists in semen, but has low concentration (concentration less than 15 million/m).
Oocyte pick-up function
The fimbria which sensed the maturation of the dominant follicle will cover the whole follicle before ovulation and captures the ovulated egg into the ampulla of Fallopian tube.
Ovarian Hyper Stimulation Syndrome (OHSS)
This is a side effect of excessive ovarian stimulation from ovulation induction drugs given during fertility treatments. The ovaries become swollen and fluid is collected in the abdomen.
Ovulation
The process wherein a mature egg is released from the ovary once a month. A woman’s menstrual cycle is a result of ovulation.
A type of female luteal hormone which causes secretory changes in the endometrium and prepares it for implantation and maintenance of pregnancy. It is also responsible for the increase in basal body temperature.
Peritonitis
Peritonitis is the inflammation of the peritoneum, which lines the abdominal cavity. This happens when endometritis becomes severe and spreads to the peritoneum. Severe peritonitis causes adhesion of fallopian tubes, ovary, uterus, intestine and peritoneum, and it may lead to infertility.
Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)
PCOS is a hormonal disorder. Common symptoms include anovulation, amenorrhea, irregular menstruation, and infertility. PCOS is more prevalent in the younger generation.
Polycystic ovaries can be detected through an ultrasound. Hirsutism, acne and obesity, due to excessive amounts of androgenic hormones, are seen in patients with PCOS. The ratio of LH (Luteinizing hormone) to FSH (Follicle stimulating hormone), which are released from pituitary gland, is also higher than normal.
Patients sensitive to ovulation induction agents will have a risk of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) which may lead to severe complications. There are cautions to use such agents for patients with PCOS. Those with this disorder are also likely to have empty follicles (no oocytein the follicle that is retrieved) and poor quality of the oocyte when it is retrieved. This results in failure to fertilize. This is why most patients with PCOS have a hard time conceiving children naturally.
Positive for antisperm antibody
Antibodies produced against sperm antigens. These antibodies cause blood clotting and immobility of sperm, preventing fertilization.
Screening test in this case is a test to check existence of various chromosome anomaly such as down syndrome.
Severe Oligozoospermia
Number of sperm in the semen is less than 2 million/ml.
Slow Freezing
A method carried out in early human embryo transfer. Complicated operation which needs many equipments and takes a very long time for freezing.
Spermatic Cord
Cord-like structure that is covered by film which covers spermatic duct, blood vessel, nerves and lymph vessel.
When a male’s normal shaped sperm is less than 15%.
Timed Intercourse
Having sexual intercourse on the day a female is most likely to become pregnant by predicting her ovulation day.
An examination that lets doctors observe a body’s internal structure. Images are formed when ultrasonic waves hits an object and forms a reflection.
Uterine Cavity
The pouch-like space within the uterus.
A pregnancy hormone. β-hCG is secreted from the placenta when pregnant.
