Fertility Dictionary

endometriosis - the presence of endometrial tissue (uterine lining) in areas outside the uterus, such as the fallopian tubes and ovaries; often causes painful menstruation and infertility

endometrium - the lining of the uterus

epididymis - the elongated organ in the male that lies above and behind the testicles where sperm are stored, nourished and ripened for several months

estradiol - the estrogen hormone produced by the ovaries; responsible for formation of the female secondary sex characteristics and supports the growth of ovarian follicles and the development of the uterine lining

estrogen - a group of female hormones responsible for the development of secondary sexual characteristics; produced mainly by the ovaries from the onset of puberty until menopause

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fallopian tube - either of a pair of tubes that conduct eggs from an ovary to the uterus during natural fertilization

female factor infertility - the condition when a couple's infertility is attributed to the woman

fertility clinic - a specialized medical practice employing reproductive endocrinologists and embryologists who treat male and female infertility with treatments including fertility drugs, artificial insemination, egg donation and surgery

fertility drugs - a class of medications used in infertility treatments

fertility specialist - a gynecologist with additional specialization in infertility and assisted reproductive technologies such as IUI, ICSI, IVF and more.

fertilization - penetration of an egg by a sperm and the fusion of genetic material

frozen embryo transfer - the use of a frozen embryo in an IVF procedure

fetus - a developing baby after the embryo stage, from the ninth week of pregnancy to the moment of birth

fibroids - non-cancerous tumors within the wall of the uterus; can cause infertility

follicle - a fluid-filled sac on the ovary that contains a ripening egg

follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) - a hormone produced by the pituitary gland which stimulates the ovary to ripen a follicle for ovulation

follicular phase - the portion of the menstrual cycle when the ovarian follicle develops

frozen embryo - an embryo that has been preserved and stored by deep freezing that can be thawed at a later date and used in infertility treatments

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gamete - a sperm or egg

gamete intra-fallopian tube transfer (GIFT) - a surgical procedure in which a sperm-egg mixture is transferred into the fallopian tubes where natural fertilization may occur

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