Glossary from Celebrity Who Experienced Infertility
When Brooke Shields decided the time was right to expand her family, she was excited about the prospect of motherhood. As a healthy woman, she never imagined she would have difficulty conceiving. However, she soon learned she was among the 6.1 million Americans who face infertility.
Uncertain of her options and not knowing where to turn, Brooke felt lonely and isolated.
Finally, after seeking the help of a fertility specialist, she and her husband became the proud parents of a daughter, Rowan. Now Brooke is reaching out to others who face infertility – by sharing her own journey to parenthood – encouraging them to know their options and take action early on when faced with difficulty conceiving.
Some Advice From Brooke:
- Share your concerns with your doctor early, and ask lots of questions.
- Talk to your doctor about seeing a fertility specialist.
- Research, research, research – get educated about infertility and treatment options.
- Create a support network of those closest to you, and don’t be afraid to lean on them during this emotional time.
- Remember that parenthood is a journey … be good to yourself along the way, and stay positive.
- Reach out to educational resources such as Fertility LifeLines™.
Infertility Glossary
A
Adhesion: The scar tissue that forms around reproductive organs following a previous injury, infection or surgery.
Amenorrhea: The absence of menstruation.
Androgen: Primarily a male sex hormone, also found in the ovaries.
Anovulation: The total absence of ovulation.
Artificial insemination (AI): The depositing of sperm in the vagina near the cervix or directly into the uterus, with the use of a catheter instead of by sexual intercourse. This technique is used to overcome sexual performance problems, to avoid sperm-mucous interaction problems, to maximize the potential of poor semen and for using donor sperm.
Assisted reproductive technologies (ART): A variety of procedures used to bring about conception without sexual intercourse, including IVF.
B
Basal body temperature (BBT) test: The temperature of the woman taken every morning during a cycle before any activity is done that may raise her temperature. It is done to help determine if ovulation has taken place.
Baseline ultrasound:
An examination conducted before starting therapy to determine the general position and condition of the ovaries.
Blastocyst transfer: A recent advance in infertility treatment, in which embryos develop for 5 or 6 days (until they reach blastocyst stage), rather than the usual 3 days in IVF.
C
Cervical mucous: Mucous produced by the cervix that permits passage of sperm during ovulation and prevents infection.
Cervix: Lower section of the uterus that protrudes into the vagina, through which the sperm pass to reach the uterus.
Chemical pregnancy: The false appearance of pregnancy due to changes in hormonal levels.
Conception: Fertilization; when the sperm meets and penetrates the egg.
Controlled ovarian hyperstimulation: Stimulation of the ovaries with various hormonal medications to develop multiple follicles, as well as to control the timing of ovulation.
Corpus luteum: A structure that forms at the site of an ovarian follicle after it releases an egg. The corpus luteum primarily releases progesterone, a hormone necessary for maintaining a pregnancy. If pregnancy occurs, the corpus luteum functions for five or six months. If pregnancy does not occur, it stops functioning.
Cryopreservation: Procedures for storage of sperm, embryos, eggs, organs or tissues at very low temperatures. Embryos, eggs and sperm that are not used in an ART cycle can be cryopreserved for future use.
D
Dysmenorrhea: Cramping and pain around the time of menstruation.
Dysmucorrhea: Poor quality or inadequate cervical mucous that can prohibit sperm passage.
E
Ectopic pregnancy: The implantation of an embryo in a place other than the uterus.
Egg retrieval: A procedure used to obtain eggs from ovarian follicles for use in in vitro fertilization. The procedure may be performed during laparoscopy or through the vagina by using a needle and ultrasound to locate the follicle in the ovary.
Ejaculate: As a noun, it refers to the mixture of sperm and seminal fluid that comes out of a man’s penis during sexual stimulation. As a verb, it refers to the passing of this material.
Endometrial biopsy: The removal of a sample of the lining of the uterus for examination.
Endometriosis: A disease whereby cells lining the uterus (or endometrium) get outside of the uterus and stick to other organs.
Endometrium: The lining of the uterus.
Epididymis: The organ in the man where sperm are stored, nourished and mature after production.
Embryo: Term used to describe the early stages of fetal growth, from conception to the 8th week of pregnancy.
Embryo transfer: Placing an egg fertilized outside the womb into a woman’s uterus.
Estradiol: The most potent naturally occurring estrogen in humans, which is released from the ovary.
Estrogens: A family of hormones in the female that control reproductive cycles. Also produced in low quantities in males.
F
Fallopian tubes: Ducts through which eggs travel to the uterus once released from the follicle. Sperm normally meet the egg in the fallopian tube, the site at which fertilization usually occurs.
Fertility specialist:
A physician specializing in the practice of fertility. The American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology certifies a subspecialty for OB-GYNs who receive extra training in reproductive endocrinology (the study of hormones) and infertility.
Fertility treatment: Any method or procedure used to enhance fertility or increase the likelihood of pregnancy, such as ovulation induction treatment, varicocele repair (repair of varicose veins in the scrotal sac), and microsurgery to repair damaged fallopian tubes. The goal of fertility treatment is to help couples have a child.
Fertilization: The combining of the genetic material carried by sperm and egg to create an embryo. Normally occurs inside the fallopian tube (in vivo) but may also occur in a Petri dish (in vitro).
Fibroid tumor: Benign (not malignant or life-threatening) tumor of fibrous tissue that can occur in the uterine wall. May be totally without symptoms or may cause abnormal menstrual patterns or infertility.
Fimbria: The finger-like extensions on the fallopian tubes that sweep the egg into the fallopian tube.
Follicles: Fluid-filled sacs in the ovary, which contain the eggs released at ovulation. Each month an egg develops inside the ovary in a follicle.
Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH): A pituitary hormone that stimulates follicular development and spermatogenesis (sperm development). In the woman, FSH stimulates the growth of the ovarian follicle. In the man, FSH stimulates the Sertoli cells in the testicles and supports sperm production. Abnormally elevated FSH levels are associated with gonadal failure in both men and women.
G
Gamete: A reproductive cell; sperm in men, eggs in women.
Gonadotropins: Hormones that control reproductive function: Follicle Stimulating Hormone and Luteinizing Hormone.
Gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH): A substance secreted by a part of the brain called the hypothalamus. This hormone enables the pituitary to secrete LH and FSH, which stimulate the gonads.
Gonads: Glands that make the gametes (testicles and ovaries).
H
Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG): The hormone produced in early pregnancy that keeps the corpus luteum producing progesterone. Also used via injection to trigger ovulation after some fertility treatments, and used in men to stimulate testosterone production.
Hypogonadism: Inadequate ovarian or testicular function as shown by low sperm production or lack of follicle production, as well as low or absent levels of FSH and LH.
Hypothalamus: The gland at the base of the brain that controls the release of hormones from the pituitary glands.
Hysteroscopy: A visual examination of the uterus using an instrument called a hysteroscope, which enables the doctor to see into the organ without making a large incision.
I
Idiopathic infertility: The term used to explain when the cause of infertility cannot be explained.
Infertility: The inability to conceive after a year of unprotected intercourse (six months if the woman is over age 35) or the inability to carry a pregnancy to term.
Implantation (embryo): The embedding of the embryo into tissue so it can establish contact with the mother’s blood supply for nourishment.
Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI): A micromanipulation (occurring under the microscope) procedure in which a single sperm is injected directly into the egg to enable fertilization with very low sperm counts or with non-motile sperm (sperm that don’t swim effectively toward the egg). The embryo is then cultured and transferred to the uterus after three to five days.
Intramuscular (IM) needle: A needle designed to administer medication deep into the muscle. Injections of this type are usually given in the thigh or upper buttock area.
Intrauterine insemination (IUI): A procedure in which a doctor places sperm directly into the uterus through the cervix using a catheter.
In vitro fertilization (IVF): Eggs produced by administering fertility drugs are retrieved from the woman’s body and fertilized by sperm in a laboratory. The resulting embryos are transferred by catheter to the uterus.
L
Laparoscopy: Examination of the pelvic region by using a small telescope called a laparoscope.
Luteal phase: Days of the menstrual cycle after ovulation when progesterone is produced by the corpus luteum.
Luteinizing hormone (LH): A pituitary hormone that stimulates the gonads. In the man, LH is necessary for spermatogenesis and for the production of testosterone. In the woman, LH is necessary for the development of follicles and the production of estrogen.
Luteinizing hormone surge (LH SURGE): The release of luteinizing hormone (LH) that causes release of a mature egg from the follicle among other functions.
M
Menstruation: Shedding of the uterine lining by bleeding, which (in the absence of pregnancy) normally occurs about once a month in the mature female.
Micromanipulation: A variety of techniques that can be performed in a laboratory under a microscope. An embryologist manipulates egg and sperm to improve the chances of pregnancy.
Miscarriage: Spontaneous loss of a viable embryo or fetus in the womb.
Morphology: The physical structure and configuration of sperm cells.
Motility: The ability of sperm to swim.
O
Oligo-ovulation: Infrequent ovulation.
Oligomenorrhea: Irregular menstrual periods.
Oligospermia: Abnormally low number of sperm in the ejaculate of the male.
Oocyte: The egg; the female gamete.
Ovarian failure: The failure of the ovary to respond to FSH stimulation from the pituitary. Diagnosed by elevated FSH in the blood.
Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS): A painful condition caused when the ovaries become overstimulated by the various hormones that cause follicular development.
Ovaries: The two sexual glands of the female where the eggs are stored. The ovaries also produce the hormones estrogen and progesterone.
Ovulation: The release of the egg (ovum) from the ovarian follicle.
Ovulation induction: Medical treatment performed to initiate ovulation.
Ovulatory dysfunction: A problem with the ovary where the egg is not released properly.
Ovum: The egg.
P
Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID): Inflammatory disease of the pelvis (usually caused by infection) that can lead to scarring and infertility.
Pituitary gland: The gland located at the base of the brain that secretes a number of important hormones that regulate fertility, as well as normal growth and development of the body.
Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS): The formation of cysts in the ovaries that occurs when the follicle stops developing. This is due to a hormonal imbalance in the ovary.
Post-coital test (PCT): A test to determine whether the sperm can move properly through the cervical mucous.
Progesterone: The hormone produced by the corpus luteum during the second half of a woman’s cycle. It thickens the lining of the uterus to prepare it to accept implantation of a fertilized egg.
Prostate: The gland in the male that supplies some of the seminal fluid and prepares the urethra for the passage of sperm.
R
Recombinant human DNA: DNA that has been modified so that it contains genes from different sources. Recombinant technology is often used to produce highly pure therapeutic drugs.
S
Scrotum: The pouch at the base of the penis that contains the testicles.
Seminal vesicles: The pair of pouch-like glands around the prostate that produce the milky fluid that mixes with the sperm prior to ejaculation.
Sharps disposal bin (safety container): A container used for the disposal of needles and other medical waste.
Sperm (spermatozoa): The microscopic cell that carries the male’s genetic information to the female’s egg; the male reproductive cell; the male gamete.
Sperm count: The number of sperm in an ejaculate. Also called sperm concentration and given as the number of sperm per milliliter.
Spermatogenesis: The process of production of sperm.
Sterility: An irreversible condition that prevents conception.
Subcutaneous (SC) needle: A needle designed to administer medication just below the surface of the skin, into the fatty tissue.
T
Testes: The two male sexual glands that produce sperm as well as the male hormone testosterone.
Testosterone: The male hormone responsible for the formation of secondary sex characteristics and for supporting the sex drive. Testosterone is also necessary for spermatogenesis (sperm development).
Tubal pregnancy: The development and attachment of a fertilized egg in a fallopian tube.
U
Ultrasound: A test used instead of X-rays to visualize the reproductive organs; for example, to monitor follicular development.
Uterus: Hollow muscular organ where the fetus grows until birth.
V
Vagina: Muscular opening in the woman extending from the vulva to the cervix of the uterus.
Varicocele: Varicose veins in the testicle that can cause sperm abnormalities.
Vas deferens: The pair of tubes in the male that lead from the epididymis to the ejaculatory duct in the prostate.
Information courtesy of Serono, Inc.
