| ADHESION | Scar tissue, in particular between the abdominal and/or pelvic organs often the result of an infection/inflammation |
| ANEMBRYONIC PREGNANCY | No foetal heartbeat is visible at the 6-8 week scan |
| ANTAGONIST CYCLE | A type of treatment process that requires the use of a medication that prevents ovulation during an IVF cycle |
| ART | Assisted Reproductive Technology - a collective term for the different types of infertility treatments |
| BIOCHEMICAL PREGNANCY | Fertilisation and implantation have occurred resulting in a positive pregnancy test. The pregnancy ends at a very early stage prior to ultrasound confirmation |
| BLASTOCYST | An embryo five to six days after fertilisation |
| CERVIX | Lower section of the uterus which protrudes into the top of the vagina |
| CRYOPRESERVATION | Preservation (by freezing) of surplus embryos, eggs or sperm |
| DONATION EGG | The process where a female donor donates eggs to another party (recipient) for use in infertility treatment |
| DONATION EMBRYO | The process where a couple donate frozen embryo/s to another party (recipients) for use in infertility treatment |
| DONATION SPERM | The process where a male donor donates sperm to another party (recipient) for use in infertility treatment |
| EGG COLLECTION | Surgical collection of egg/s from the follicles in the ovary |
| EGG TIMER TEST | A blood test and pelvic ultrasound scan to indicate the likely fertility status of a woman |
| EMBRYO | After fertilisation the egg begins to divide and multiply and is now called an embryo |
| EMBRYO BIOPSY | The removal of one or two cells, from an early IVF embryo for preimplantation genetic screening |
| EMBRYO TRANSFER | Placement of embryo/s into the uterus |
| ENDOMETRIOSIS | A medical condition where the endometrium is located outside the uterus in the pelvic cavity |
| ENDOMETRIUM | The membrane that lines the inner surface of the uterus |
| EXTENDED CULTURE | The term used to describe growth of embryos in culture for 4-6 days |
| FALLOPIAN TUBES | Tubes that extend from the uterus to the ovary and serve as a passageway for the egg and sperm to meet. The fallopian tube is the place where fertilisation occurs |
| FERTILISATION | The earliest stage of development after the penetration of the egg by a sperm |
| FET | Frozen Embryo Transfer, a procedure in which frozen embryo/s are thawed and then transferred to the uterus |
| FOLLICULAR PHASE | First half of the menstrual cycle before ovulation |
| FSH | Follicle Stimulating Hormone which is produced by the anterior pituitary gland and stimulates the growth of follicles in the female. FSH also induces the development of sperm in the testicle |
| FOLLICLE | A small secretory sac in the ovary in which an egg develops |
| GAMETE | The male and female reproductive cells (egg or sperm) |
| HCG | Human chorionic gonadotrophin The hormone measured to diagnose a pregnancy |
| HORMONE | A chemical substance, secreted by the endocrine glands, which is carried by the blood stream to the target organ influencing its activity, growth and nutrition |
| ICSI | Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection, is a process where a single sperm is injected into an egg |
| IMPLANTATION | The embedding of the embryo into the lining of the uterus |
| IN VITRO | Outside the body |
| IN VIVO | Inside the body |
| IVF | In Vitro Fertilisation. A procedure in which an egg is removed from a follicle and fertilised by a sperm outside the human body. The resultant embryo can then be transferred into the uterus |
| LAPAROSCOPY | Diagnostic procedure where an instrument (laparoscope) is inserted through a small incision just below the umbilicus, to enable visualisation of the pelvic cavity and its organs |
| LH | Luteinising Hormone. Produced by the pituitary gland and responsible for stimulating ovulation |
| LUTEAL PHASE | The second half of the menstrual cycle after ovulation until the menstrual period |
| MENEVIT | Vitamin supplement for men containing anti oxidants to support sperm health |
| MENOPAUSE | The permanent cessation of menstruation following the loss of ovarian function |
| MENOPAUSE (EARLY) | Menopause in women less than 46 years of age |
| MENOPAUSE (PREMATURE) | Menopause in women less than or equal to 35 years of age |
| MISCARRIAGE | Loss of pregnancy |
| OESTROGEN | A major female hormone that is produced primarily by the ovaries |
| OHSS | Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome. A group of symptoms which is associated with ovarian enlargement during IVF treatment cycle |
| OOCYTE | The egg cell (gamete, ovum) produced in the ovary each month |
| OVULATION | The process of release of a mature egg from an ovary |
| OVUM | Female gamete (egg) contained in a follicle |
| PATENT TUBES | A term used to describe fallopian tubes that are open allowing free passage for the egg, sperm and embryo |
| PGS | Preimplantation Genetic Screening - the process of taking cells from an embryo to check the number of chromosomes or to test for a specific genetic abnormality |
| PITUITARY GLAND | The gland located at the base of the brain, which controls hormone functions in the human body |
| PROGESTERONE | Hormone produced by the ovary in the Luteal phase. Its main function is to change the growth of the endometrium and assist with the implantation of the embryo |
| SEMEN | Fluid containing sperm |
| SPERMATOZOON | Mature male sperm cell (gamete) produced by the testicle |
| ULTRASOUND SCAN | An ultrasound wave scan of the uterus/ovaries/follicles for investigation of infertility and/or scan of the uterus for the confirmation of pregnancy |
| UTERUS | Female reproductive organ where a pregnancy develops |
| VAGINA | Passageway between the external genitals and the uterus |