Fertility and menopause terms, in plain English.
Reports and clinic letters are full of abbreviations that are rarely explained. This glossary defines the terms that appear most often in fertility and menopause care, without jargon and without recommending treatment.
A
- AMH (Anti-Müllerian Hormone)
- A blood test that reflects the pool of small follicles remaining in the ovaries. It gives an indication of ovarian reserve and likely response to stimulation. It does not measure egg quality and cannot predict natural conception on its own.
- Antral Follicle Count (AFC)
- A count of small resting follicles seen on ultrasound early in the cycle. It is used alongside AMH to estimate ovarian reserve. A low count suggests a lower yield of eggs during stimulation.
- ART (Assisted Reproductive Technology)
- The umbrella term for treatments that handle eggs, sperm or embryos outside the body, including IVF and ICSI. In India these treatments are regulated under the ART (Regulation) Act 2021.
- Assisted Hatching
- A laboratory step in which the outer shell of an embryo is thinned before transfer. It is used selectively rather than routinely. Whether it is appropriate depends on the embryo and the clinical history.
- Azoospermia
- The absence of sperm in the ejaculate. It may be obstructive, where production is normal but the passage is blocked, or non-obstructive, where production itself is impaired. The distinction changes the treatment options.
B
- Blastocyst
- An embryo that has developed for five to six days after fertilisation and formed a fluid-filled cavity. Reaching this stage allows better selection before transfer or freezing.
- Blighted Ovum
- An early pregnancy in which a gestational sac forms but no embryo develops. It is a common cause of first-trimester miscarriage and usually reflects a chromosomal problem in that pregnancy.
- Body-Identical Hormones
- Regulated hormone preparations with a molecular structure identical to the body's own hormones. They differ from unregulated compounded preparations marketed as bioidentical.
- Brain Fog
- Difficulty with concentration, word-finding and short-term memory reported during perimenopause and menopause. It is a genuine symptom, though other causes should also be considered.
C
- Cardiovascular Risk After Menopause
- The change in lipid profile, blood pressure and body composition after menopause that raises long-term heart risk. It makes blood pressure and lipid review part of menopause care.
- Chemical Pregnancy
- A very early pregnancy loss confirmed by a positive pregnancy test but ending before anything is visible on ultrasound. It indicates implantation occurred, which is clinically relevant information.
- Clomiphene Citrate
- An oral medicine used to encourage ovulation in selected patients. It is prescribed only after assessment, with monitoring, because response and suitability vary between individuals.
- Contraception in Perimenopause
- Contraception is still needed until menopause is established, because ovulation becomes unpredictable rather than stopping abruptly. Hormone therapy is not a contraceptive.
- Cryopreservation
- The freezing and storage of eggs, sperm, embryos or ovarian tissue at very low temperature. Modern vitrification freezes rapidly to avoid ice crystal damage, giving high survival rates on thawing.
D
- DEXA Scan
- A low-dose X-ray scan measuring bone mineral density, used to assess fracture risk. Whether and when to scan depends on your individual risk factors.
- Donor Cycle
- A treatment cycle using donated eggs, sperm or embryos. In India, donor arrangements are governed by the ART Act 2021, which sets requirements for consent, screening and record keeping.
E
- Early Menopause
- Menopause occurring between the ages of 40 and 45. It is earlier than average and warrants a specific discussion about symptom treatment and long-term health.
- Ectopic Pregnancy
- A pregnancy that implants outside the uterine cavity, most often in a fallopian tube. It cannot continue safely and requires urgent medical assessment because of the risk of internal bleeding.
- Egg Freezing
- Collecting and freezing unfertilised eggs for future use. Outcomes depend strongly on the age at freezing and the number of eggs stored, which is why counselling before the cycle matters.
- Embryo Transfer
- The procedure in which one embryo, occasionally more, is placed into the uterine cavity through a fine catheter. It is brief, usually painless, and performed with ultrasound guidance.
- Endometriosis
- A condition where tissue similar to the uterine lining grows outside the uterus, causing pain, inflammation and sometimes reduced fertility. Severity on imaging does not always match the severity of symptoms.
- Endometrium
- The inner lining of the uterus, which thickens each cycle to receive an embryo. Its thickness and pattern are assessed on ultrasound before embryo transfer.
- ERA (Endometrial Receptivity Analysis)
- A test that examines the endometrium to estimate the timing of the implantation window. It is used selectively, generally after repeated implantation failure, rather than in every cycle.
F
- Fibroid
- A benign muscular growth in the wall of the uterus. Whether a fibroid affects fertility depends mainly on its position and whether it distorts the uterine cavity, not on its presence alone.
- Follicle
- A fluid-filled sac in the ovary containing an immature egg. Follicles are tracked on ultrasound during a stimulated cycle to time the trigger injection and egg collection.
- Fresh vs Frozen Transfer
- A fresh transfer places an embryo in the same cycle as egg collection. A frozen transfer places a thawed embryo in a later, prepared cycle. The choice depends on hormone levels, lining and clinical risk.
- FSH (Follicle Stimulating Hormone)
- A hormone from the pituitary gland that stimulates follicle growth. A raised early-cycle level can indicate reduced ovarian reserve, but a single value fluctuates and should be interpreted with other tests.
- FSH Testing in Menopause
- A blood test sometimes used when menopause is suspected at an unusually young age. In women over 45 it fluctuates too much to be useful, so diagnosis rests on symptoms and history.
G
- Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause (GSM)
- Vaginal dryness, irritation, painful sex and urinary symptoms caused by falling oestrogen in the genital and urinary tissues. It is progressive without treatment but usually responds well.
- Greene Climacteric Scale
- A validated 21-item questionnaire measuring menopausal symptoms across psychological, physical, vasomotor and sexual domains. It is a symptom score, not a diagnostic test.
H
- Hormone-Sensitive Cancer
- A cancer whose growth can be influenced by hormones, such as some breast cancers. A history of one requires menopause care to be coordinated with the oncology team.
- Hydrosalpinx
- A fallopian tube blocked and distended with fluid. It can reduce IVF success, so treatment of the tube is often discussed before embryo transfer.
- Hysteroscopy
- A procedure using a narrow camera passed through the cervix to inspect the uterine cavity. It can diagnose and often treat polyps, adhesions or a septum in the same sitting.
I
- ICSI
- Intracytoplasmic sperm injection, where a single sperm is injected directly into an egg. It is used mainly for male-factor infertility or after previous fertilisation failure.
- Implantation Failure
- Repeated failure of good-quality embryos to implant. Assessment covers embryo factors, the uterine cavity, endometrial receptivity, immunological and clotting factors, and sperm quality.
- Infertility
- Clinically defined as no conception after twelve months of regular unprotected intercourse, or six months if the woman is over 35. Earlier assessment is appropriate where there is a known risk factor.
- IUI (Intrauterine Insemination)
- Prepared sperm is placed directly into the uterus around ovulation. It suits selected couples with open tubes and adequate sperm parameters, and is usually attempted for a limited number of cycles.
- IVF (In Vitro Fertilisation)
- Eggs are collected, fertilised with sperm in the laboratory, and the resulting embryo is transferred to the uterus. It is recommended when the evidence suggests a meaningfully better chance than simpler options.
L
- Laparoscopy
- Keyhole surgery through small abdominal incisions, used to assess or treat endometriosis, adhesions, ovarian cysts or tubal disease when imaging alone is insufficient.
- Libido Changes
- Reduced sexual desire around menopause, influenced by hormones, sleep, mood, relationship factors and genitourinary symptoms. Assessment looks at all of these rather than hormones alone.
- Luteal Phase
- The part of the cycle after ovulation when progesterone prepares the endometrium for implantation. Support with progesterone is standard after many assisted reproduction cycles.
M
- Male Factor Infertility
- Infertility where sperm count, motility, morphology or DNA integrity is the main contributing factor. It accounts for a substantial proportion of cases and requires assessment of both partners.
- Medical Menopause
- Loss of ovarian function caused by treatment such as chemotherapy, radiotherapy or hormone-suppressing medication. It may be temporary or permanent depending on the treatment.
- Menopause
- Confirmed after twelve consecutive months without a period, when no other cause explains it. It is a single point in time, identified retrospectively.
- Menopause Hormone Therapy (MHT/HRT)
- Treatment that replaces oestrogen, with progestogen when the uterus is present, to relieve symptoms. Suitability depends on age, history and individual risk assessment.
N
- Non-Hormonal Treatment
- Medical and behavioural options for symptom relief when hormone therapy is unsuitable or unwanted, including specific prescription medicines and cognitive behavioural approaches.
O
- OHSS (Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome)
- An excessive response to fertility medication causing swollen ovaries, fluid retention and, rarely, serious complications. Modern protocols aim to prevent it, and warning symptoms need prompt review.
- Osteoporosis
- Loss of bone density that increases fracture risk. Bone loss accelerates after menopause, particularly when menopause is early or surgical.
- Ovarian Reserve
- The remaining quantity of eggs in the ovaries, estimated with AMH and antral follicle count. It informs expectations for stimulation but does not, on its own, determine whether pregnancy is possible.
P
- PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome)
- A common hormonal condition involving irregular ovulation, signs of raised androgens and characteristic ovarian appearance. It affects cycles, metabolism and fertility, and is managed individually.
- Perimenopause
- The transition before the final period, when ovarian hormone patterns fluctuate. Symptoms can begin while periods are still regular and may continue for several years.
- PGT-A
- Preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy, which screens embryos for whole-chromosome abnormalities before transfer. It is offered selectively, since it does not benefit every patient.
- Postmenopause
- The years after the final period. Symptoms may persist, and bone, cardiovascular and genitourinary health need active attention during this stage.
- Premature Ovarian Insufficiency (POI)
- Loss of normal ovarian function before the age of 40. It affects fertility, bone and heart health, and needs prompt assessment rather than watchful waiting.
- Progesterone
- The hormone that prepares and maintains the uterine lining after ovulation. It is commonly supplemented after embryo transfer and in early pregnancy where clinically indicated.
R
- Recurrent Pregnancy Loss
- Two or more consecutive pregnancy losses. Investigation looks at uterine anatomy, thyroid and metabolic health, antiphospholipid antibodies, and, in selected cases, genetic factors.
S
- Semen Analysis
- The baseline test of male fertility, measuring volume, concentration, motility and morphology. Results vary between samples, so an abnormal result is usually repeated before conclusions are drawn.
- Sleep Disturbance in Menopause
- Difficulty falling or staying asleep, often linked to night sweats, anxiety or restless legs. Treating the underlying driver is usually more effective than treating sleep in isolation.
- Sperm DNA Fragmentation
- A test of DNA damage within sperm, sometimes used after unexplained infertility, recurrent loss or repeated implantation failure. Its role is selective, not routine.
- Stimulation Protocol
- The planned combination of medicines, doses and timing used to grow multiple follicles in an IVF cycle. The protocol is chosen from age, ovarian reserve and any previous response.
- Surgical Menopause
- Menopause that begins immediately after both ovaries are removed. Symptoms often start abruptly and can be more intense than in natural menopause.
T
- Time-Lapse Imaging
- Continuous photography of embryos in the incubator, allowing development to be assessed without disturbing culture conditions. It supports embryo selection.
- Transdermal Oestrogen
- Oestrogen delivered through the skin as a patch, gel or spray. The route of delivery affects the risk profile, which is why it is part of an individual assessment.
- Tubal Factor Infertility
- Infertility caused by blocked or damaged fallopian tubes, often after infection, surgery or endometriosis. IVF bypasses the tubes, which is why it is often the recommended route.
V
- Vaginal Atrophy
- Thinning and reduced elasticity of vaginal tissue after menopause, now described as part of genitourinary syndrome of menopause. It commonly causes dryness and discomfort during sex.
- Vasomotor Symptoms
- Hot flushes and night sweats caused by changes in the body's temperature regulation. They are the most recognised menopause symptoms and often the most disruptive to sleep.
- Vitrification
- An ultra-rapid freezing method used for eggs and embryos that prevents ice crystal formation. It has substantially improved survival rates compared with older slow-freezing techniques.
Written and medically reviewed by Dr. Munawwer Sana, MBBS, MRCOG (UK), FACOG · Consultant in Reproductive Medicine & Menopause · Last reviewed
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