Glossary of Conception TermsAmenorrhea: The absence, discontinuation or abnormal
stoppage of the menstrual period.
Anovulation: The term
for the absence of ovulation.
Artificial Insemination:
The placement of a sperm sample inside the female reproductive tract to increase
the chances of fertilization and pregnancy.
Basal body
temperature: The body temperature taken at its lowest point of the day,
typically in the morning before getting out of bed.
Basal body
temperature method: A method of predicting the time of ovulation by
taking daily recordings of basal body temperature and charting the
results.
Blastocyst: The mass of cells that form after
several days of cell division by the fertilized egg.
Breakthrough
bleeding: Bleeding that occurs between periods and is usually heavier
than spotting.
Cervical Fluid: Fluid that is secreted by
the cervix prior to ovulation and can travel down to the vaginal opening. Some
women monitor their cervical mucus to help determine when they are
ovulating.
Cervix: The opening to the
uterus.
Clomiphene citrate: A commonly prescribed drug
used to stimulate ovulation.
Corpus Luteum: The mass of
cells that form once the egg has been released from the ovary. The corpus luteum
produces progesterone.
Cyst: A growth or mass filled
with fluid or soft material. Ovarian cysts can cause difficulties with
ovulation.
Dilation & Curettage: A medical procedure
where the cervix is manually dilated by a physician and a sample of the uterine
lining is taken.
Dysmenorrhea: Difficult and painful
menstruation.
Ectopic Pregnancy: Also known as a tubal
pregnancy, an ectopic pregnancy is the term used when the pregnancy occurs
outside of the uterus, usually in the fallopian
tubes.
Embryo: The term for the baby from the point of
conception through the 8th week of
pregnancy.
Endometriosis: A condition where the uterine
mucous membrane (the endometrium) or other similar tissue grows in areas other
than the uterus. This can affect the ovaries, fallopian tubes or abdominal
cavity.
Estrogen: Sex hormones produced by the ovaries.
A rise in estradiol (E3G) is indicated by High Fertility on the Clearblue Easy
Fertility Monitor. Read more about how the Fertility Monitor tracks estrogen
levels and determines your level of fertility at our page on the Fertility
Monitor.
Fallopian tubes: The paired tubes which connect
the ovaries to the uterus and conduct the egg to the uterus. The fallopian tubes
are where fertilization most often occurs.
Fetus: The
term for the baby from the beginning of the 9th week of pregnancy to the time of
birth.
Fibroids: Benign tumors in or around the uterus
that sometimes can cause miscarriages.
Follicle: The
group of cells surrounding the egg in the ovary.
Follicle
Stimulating Hormone (FSH): Follicle stimulating hormone stimulates the
development of ovarian follicles (eggs). Read more about how FSH affects your
cycle in our section on How Hormones Drive Your Cycle.
Follicular
phase: The beginning phase of the menstrual cycle during which the egg
is ripening for ovulation. Read more about the phases of your cycle in our
section on How Hormones Drive Your Cycle.
Human Chorionic
Gonadotropin (hCG): The hormone that is produced by the placenta. hCG
is the hormone detected by pregnancy tests. Read more about hCG in our section
How Hormones Drive Your Cycle.
Gamete Intrafallopian tube
Transfer (GIFT): A surgical procedure in which a sperm-egg mixture is
transferred into the fallopian tubes where natural fertilization may
occur.
Infertility: A couple is considered infertile
after having regular unprotected sex for one year and not having conceived or
carried a pregnancy to term.
IUI (Intrauterine
Insemination): IUI is a method of introducing a quantity of washed
sperm directly into the uterus via a catheter to enhance the chances of
fertilization. The purpose of IUI is to increase the number of sperm that reach
the fallopian tubes and thus increase the chance of fertilization occurring.
IVF (in vitro fertilization): A method of artificial
insemination where both the egg and sperm are retrieved and fertilization takes
place outside the body in the laboratory.
The Luteal
Phase: The third part of the menstrual cycle, immediately following
ovulation until the next period, when progesterone is released by the corpus
luteum. Read more about the phases of your cycle in our section Know Your Cycle
section.
Luteinizing Hormone (LH): A hormone that
triggers ovulation and is produced by the pituitary gland. A surge in LH is
indicated as Peak Fertility on the Clearblue Easy Fertility Monitor and is when
your chances of conceiving are at their highest. Read more about how the
Fertility Monitor tracks LH levels and determines your level of fertility in our
section on the Fertility Monitor.
Menorrhagia: Heavy,
prolonged menstrual bleeding.
Oviduct: Another word for
fallopian tube.
Ovulation: The release of an egg from
one of the ovaries.
Ovum: The Latin term for
egg.
Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome: A condition where
multiple cysts form on the ovaries. This may cause
infertility.
Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS): A combination
of both physical and psychological symptoms occurring before the menstrual
period.
Progesterone: The female sex hormone, produced
in the corpus luteum, that creates a nourishing environment in the uterine
lining after ovulation.
Reproductive Endocrinologist: A
physician who specializes in fertility-related
issues.
Spotting: A slight discharge of blood via the
vagina.
Testes: The male sex glands that produce
sperm.
Tubal Ligation: A surgical procedure that
involves ligation (closure) of the fallopian tubes to prevent an unfertilized
egg from reaching the uterus.
Uterus: The location where
the baby grows during pregnancy. The uterus is also called the
womb.
Vagina: The female organ of sexual intercourse and
also the birth canal.
Zona Pellucida: The protective
coating around the egg and early embryo.
Zygote: The
term for a fertilized egg prior to it being an embryo.
Zygote
Intra-Fallopian Transfer (ZIFT): The placement of fertilized eggs that
have not yet begun cell division into the fallopian tube.
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