If you’ve been trying to conceive (TTC) for a while and have recently begun your fertility treatment journey, you have probably come across a lot of new and unfamiliar acronyms.

The language of infertility can seem intimidating for someone who is just starting out, but familiarizing yourself with these abbreviations can help you understand the process, enhance your discussions with your doctor, and keep up in interactions with other fertility-challenged individuals.

A Shortlist of Common Fertility Acronyms

AH: Assisted Hatching
A technique that uses a laser to help an embryo release itself from its outer shell; this procedure can improve the chance of embryo implantation

ART: Assisted Reproductive Technology
An umbrella term for a wide range of fertility treatments and technologies

BBT: Body Basal Temperature
Your body’s temperature when you are at rest; commonly used to track ovulation

DOR: Diminished Ovarian Reserve
A condition in which ovaries lose their reproductive potential

ENDO: Endometriosis
A condition in which uterine tissue (endometrium) grows outside of the uterus

FET: Frozen Embryo Transfer
The process of using a frozen embryo from either a donor or a previous fresh IVF cycle and transferring it into the woman’s uterus

FSH: Follicle Stimulating Hormone
The hormone that prompts the ovaries to release an egg from an ovarian follicle during ovulation

ICSI: Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection
A fertilization procedure used during IVF in which a single sperm is injected directly into an egg

IUI: Intrauterine Insemination
A form of artificial insemination in which the sperm is deposited directly into the uterus during ovulation

IVF: In Vitro Fertilization
A fertility treatment in which eggs are retrieved from a woman’s ovaries, taken outside the body and into a laboratory, and combined with a semen sample in order to be fertilized; if successful fertilization occurs, the resulting embryo is then transferred back into the woman’s uterus

LH: Luteinizing Hormone
A hormone produced by the pituitary gland that is associated with ovulation

LPD: Luteal Phase Defect
An abnormality in the development of the uterine lining

LSC: Low Sperm Count
A condition in which the seminal fluid contains fewer sperm than normal

MF: Male Factor Infertility
A condition in which conception is being hindered because of an issue with the male’s fertility

OHSS: Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome
A condition associated with fertility medication in which the ovaries swell and become painful

PCOS: Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome
A hormonal disorder in which ovaries become enlarged and produce an excessive amount of the male sex hormone, androgen

PGD: Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis (or now referred to as PGT)
A laboratory procedure used during IVF in which embryos are evaluated for genetic disorders; this is typically done to prevent an individual or couple from passing a chromosomal abnormality on to their child

TESE: Testicular Sperm Extraction

A surgical procedure in which viable sperm cells are extracted from a small piece of testicular tissue that has been removed from the testicles

Learn More
To learn more about infertility and treatment options, contact Fertility Solutions today.