BENEFITS > Infertility glossary
Infertility glossary
PrintSelect any letter to skip to that section of the glossary:
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
assisted reproductive technology (ART): All treatments that include the handling of eggs, sperm or embryos
basal body temperature (BBT): Body temperature usually measured early in the morning (when body temperature is lowest) to determine if ovulation is occurring, signaled by a rise in temperature of 0.5°F to 1°F after ovulation
cervical mucus: Substance in the cervix through which sperm must travel to enter the uterus
cervix: The narrow, lower end of the uterus that connects the uterine cavity to the vagina
conceive: Become pregnant
cyst: Abnormal sac usually containing fluid or semi-solid material
egg: Female sex cell produced by the ovary, which, when fertilized by a male sperm, produces an embryo
egg retrieval: Procedure in which eggs are obtained from a woman’s body using a needle that is inserted into the ovarian follicle to remove the fluid and the egg by suction
embryo: Fertilized egg that has begun cell division
endometriosis: Condition in which tissue resembling endometrium, or the lining of the uterus, grows outside the uterus
fallopian tubes: Pair of tubes attached to the uterus (one on each side) where sperm and egg meet in normal conception
fertilization: Fusion of sperm and egg
fibroid: A benign, or nonlife-threatening tumor, usually found in the uterine wall
follicle: Fluid-filled sac in the ovary containing an egg and the surrounding cells that produce hormones
gynecomastia: Swelling of the breast tissue in males, caused by an imbalance of estrogen and testosterone
hysterosalpingogram: An X-ray that evaluates the condition of the uterus and fallopian tubes
impotence: Inability of a man to have or maintain an erection, also known as erectile dysfunction
intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI): Process in which a single sperm is injected directly into a mature egg that is later transferred to the woman’s uterus or fallopian tube, used when there are abnormalities in the number, quality or function of the sperm
intramuscular injection: An injection that is given into the muscle
intrauterine insemination (IUI): Process in which sperm is injected into a woman’s uterus at the time of ovulation to encourage fertilization
in vitro fertilization (IVF): Process in which an egg and sperm are combined in a laboratory dish to create an embryo that is later transferred to the woman’s uterus
laparoscopy: Surgical procedure that allows viewing of the internal female reproductive organs by use of a long, narrow fiber optic instrument (called a laparoscope) that is inserted through an incision in or below the navel
malnutrition: Condition caused by not eating enough food or not eating a balanced diet
miscarriage: Pregnancy that terminates on its own prior to birth
ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS): Condition that may result from ovulation induction, which is characterized by enlargement of the ovaries, fluid retention and weight gain
ovulation: Release of an egg from the ovary
ovulation kit: Over-the-counter kit used to determine time of ovulation by detecting the rise of luteinizing hormone that occurs approximately 38 hours before ovulation
pelvic exam: Physical examination of the vagina, cervix, uterus, fallopian tubes, ovaries and rectum
postcoital testing: Assessment of the cervical mucus after intercourse used to evaluate the quality of the mucus and its interaction with sperm
precocious puberty: When body changes that normally occur during puberty happen earlier than normal
premature ejaculation: Sexual dysfunction characterized by a man’s inability to control or delay ejaculation
sperm: Male reproductive cells that fertilize a female’s egg
subcutaneous injection: An injection that is given just under the skin
uterus: Hollow, muscular reproductive organ in a woman’s pelvis in which an embryo implants and grows during pregnancy and from which the uterine lining, called the endometrium, sheds to produce the monthly menstrual blood flow when there is no pregnancy
Information provided here does not constitute professional medical advice. Although it is intended to be accurate, neither Walgreen Co., its subsidiaries or affiliates, nor any other party assumes liability for loss or damage due to reliance on this material. If you have a medical question, consult your medical professional.
