Fetus: A name for the developing embryo from 3 months after conception until birth.
Fibrocystic breast disease: A misleading term for nothing more than a common benign condition characterized by the formation of fluid-filled sacs in one or both breasts.
Fibroid: A fibrous and muscular growth of tissue in or on the wall of the uterus.
Fimbria: The end of the fallopian tube near the ovary. The fimbriae pick up the egg immediately after ovulation.
First 5 Days Rule: One of the four natural birth control rules. You are safe the first 5 days of the menstrual cycle if you had an obvious thermal shift 12 to 16 days before.
FMRI: See Fragile X.
Follicle: A small fluid-filled structure in the ovary that contains the egg (ovum). The follicle ruptures the surface of the ovary, releasing the ovum at ovulation.
Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH): The hormone produced by the pituitary gland that stimulates the ovaries to produce mature ova and the hormone estrogen.
Follicular cyst: A fluid-filled sac that forms in the ovary during the first part of a normal menstrual cycle, but then goes awry by enlarging and continuing to produce estrogen, not allowing the egg to be released. It is best resolved through a progesterone injection and not surgery.
Follicular phase: See Preovulatory phase.
Fragile X: A gene that has been found to play an important role in ovarian function and may be a cause of premature ovarian failure. It is also associated with various intellectual disabilities.
FSH: See Follicle-stimulating hormone.
G-spot: An area of spongy tissue on the upper internal vaginal wall that is an extremely sensitive erogenous zone for some women. However, its actual existence is still widely debated since it has yet to be scientifically identified as a distinct structure.
Galactorrhea: Spontaneous flow of breast milk, not associated with childbirth or nursing.
Gamete: The mature reproductive cells of the sperm and ovum.
Gamete Intra-Fallopian Transfer: See GIFT.
Genetic: Relating to hereditary characteristics.
Genital: Pertaining to the reproductive organs.
Genital contact: Contact between the penis and the vulva without penetration.
Genitalia (Genitals): The organs of reproduction, especially external.
Gestation: The period of development from conception to the end of pregnancy and birth.
Gestational age: The age of the fetus, based on dating the pregnancy from the first day of the last menstrual period (LMP) rather than the date of conception. The gestational age, by definition, is usually at least two weeks older than the fetus really is.
GIFT: Gamete Intra-Fallopian Transfer. A procedure in which the woman’s eggs are removed from her ovaries and then placed in her fallopian tube with her partner’s sperm. Unlike IVF, fertilization takes place in the fallopian tube, and not a petri dish.
Gland: Organ that produces chemical substances, including hormones.
Glucophage: See Metformin.
GnRH: See Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone.
Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone (GnRH): A chemical substance produced by the hypothalamus in the brain. It stimulates the pituitary gland to produce and release both FSH and LH, hormones which in turn lead to follicular development and ovulation.
Gonadotropins: The hormones produced by the pituitary gland of males and females that regulates maturation of the sperm and egg. The most important gonadotropins are FSH and LH.
Gonads: The primary sex glands of the ovaries and testes.
Gonorrhea: A highly contagious sexually transmitted disease.
Guaifenesin: An expectorant often taken to increase the fluidity of cervical fluid.
Gynecologist: A doctor who specializes in women’s reproductive health.
HCG: Human chorionic gonadotropin, typically referred to as the “pregnancy hormone.” It is produced by the developing embryo when it implants in the uterine lining. Its main action is to maintain the corpus luteum and hence the secretion of estrogen and progesterone until the placenta has developed sufficiently to take over hormonal production. See Pregnancy test.
Hemorrhage: Excessively heavy bleeding.
Hirsutism: Excessive hairiness in areas not typically found on women, such as the face, chest, stomach, and inner thighs.
HIV: Human immuno-deficiency virus. The virus that causes AIDS.
Hormone: A chemical substance produced in one organ and carried by the blood to another organ, where it exerts its effect. An example is FSH, which is produced in the pituitary gland and travels via the blood to the ovary, where it stimulates the growth and maturation of follicles.
Hormone replacement therapy (HRT): See Hormone therapy.
Hormone therapy (HT): The use of manufactured hormones, particularly estrogen, to replace the perimenopausal and postmenopausal woman’s diminished natural supply of hormones. Prescribed to alleviate menopausal symptoms such as vaginal dryness and hot flashes, as well as to prevent osteoporosis and possibly heart disease.
Hot flash: A feeling of heat that usually affects the face and neck and lasts a few seconds to a few minutes. It may spread over the upper part of the body and be accompanied by sweating. Most menopausal women will experience it.
HRT: See Hormone replacement therapy.
HSG: Hysterosalpingogram. An X-ray taken after a special dye is injected through the cervix to produce an image of the inside of the uterus and fallopian tubes. Used to determine whether the tubes are blocked or have scarring.
HT: See Hormone therapy.
Huhner’s test: See Postcoital test.
Human chorionic gonadotropin: See HCG.
Human immuno-deficiency virus: See HIV.
HyCoSy (Hysterosalpingo-contrast-sonography): A procedure used to observe the inner structure of the fallopian tubes in which a small amount of fluid is injected into the uterus through the cervix.
Hymen: The typically thin membrane that protects and partially blocks the entrance of the vagina from birth. May or may not be present in girls, depending on factors such as physical trauma.
Hypermenorrhea: Heavy bleeding.
Hyperprolactinemia (excessive prolactin): A condition in which the excess production of prolactin, the hormone normally responsible for the production of breast milk, prevents normal ovulation. It can even occur in women who have never given birth.
Hypomenorrhea: Unusually light menstrual flow or spotting.
Hypothalamus: A part of the brain located just above the pituitary gland that controls several functions of the body. It produces hormones that influence the pituitary gland and regulates the development and activity of the ovaries and testes.
Hysterectomy: The surgical removal of the uterus.
Hysterosalpingo-contrast-sonography: See HyCoSy.
Hysterosalpingogram: See HSG.
Hysteroscopy: Exploratory surgery to view the uterus.
ICSI (Intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection): A procedure in which a single sperm is inserted directly into an egg through the use of high-tech devices.
Idiopathic infertility: Infertility of unknown cause.
Implantation: The process by which the fertilized egg embeds in the uterine lining, or endometrium.
Implantation spotting: The light bleeding that sometimes occurs when a recently fertilized egg has burrowed into the uterine lining.
In vitro fertilization: See IVF.
Infertile phases: The phases of the cycle when pregnancy cannot occur. Women have a preovulatory and postovulatory infertile phase.
Infertile-quality cervical fluid: A thick, sticky, or opaque-quality cervical fluid that produces a vaginal sensation of dryness or stickiness. It is very difficult for sperm to survive within it.
Infertility: Inability to conceive or maintain a pregnancy, or to provide viable sperm.
Intermenstrual pain: See Ovulatory pain.
Intra-uterine device (IUD): A device placed in the cavity of the uterus to prevent pregnancy. Certa
in types release hormones while in place.
Intra-uterine insemination: See IUI.
IUD: See Intra-uterine device.
IUI: Intra-uterine insemination. A procedure in which a catheter is used to insert the man’s sperm through the cervix directly into the uterus.
IVF (In vitro fertilization): A procedure in which several eggs from the woman’s ovaries are fertilized with her partner’s sperm in a petri dish before one or more of the resulting embryos are placed back in the woman’s uterus.
Kegel exercise: An exercise to contract and relax the vaginal muscles in order to strengthen them. It is also used to help push cervical fluid and semen out of the vaginal opening.
Labia: The two sets of lips surrounding the vaginal opening, forming part of the female external genitalia.
Lactation: The production of milk by the breasts.
Lactational Amenorrhea Method (LAM): A natural method of family planning used by breastfeeding women whose periods have not yet returned. It is considered highly effective if the woman is fully or nearly fully breastfeeding and is less than 6 months postpartum.
LAM: See Lactational Amenorrhea Method.
Laparoscopy: A procedure in which a laparoscope, a thin telescopic instrument, is inserted through a small incision in the navel to examine the inside of the abdomen, particularly the ovaries. Often used to diagnose endometriosis.
Laparotomy: A surgical operation involving opening the abdomen.
LH: See Luteinizing hormone.
Libido: Sexual desire.
LMP: Abbreviation for last menstrual period, the first day of the last menstrual period before a pregnancy is suspected or confirmed. The most commonly used means of dating a pregnancy, even though the date of conception is more accurate.
Lochia: Bloody secretions from the uterus and vagina the first few weeks after childbirth.
LPD: See Luteal Phase Deficiency.
Lube: Abbreviation for “lubricative,” the slippery vaginal sensation you feel when extremely fertile.
Lubricative sensation: The slippery and wet vaginal sensation you feel, usually when fertile-quality cervical fluid is present. If you feel it when no cervical fluid is present, you are still fertile.
LUFS (Luteinized Unruptured Follicle Syndrome): See Luteinized unruptured follicle.
Lupron: A drug used to induce a “pseudo-menopause” to provide a clean slate for high-tech procedures, as well as to treat endometriosis and fibroids.
Luteal cyst: See Corpus luteum cyst.
Luteal Phase: The phase of the menstrual cycle from ovulation to the onset of the next menstruation. It typically lasts from 12 to 16 days, but rarely varies by more than a day or two within individual women.
Luteal Phase defect: See short luteal phase.
Luteal Phase Deficiency (LPD): A dysfunction in the production of progesterone (and to a lesser extent, estrogen) by the corpus luteum following ovulation.
Luteinized unruptured follicle: An unreleased egg that remains stuck on the interior of the ovarian wall rather than ovulating normally.
Luteinized Unruptured Follicle Syndrome: See LUFS.
Luteinizing hormone (LH): A hormone from the pituitary gland that is released in a surge, causing ovulation and development of the corpus luteum.
Menarche: The age at which menstruation begins.
Menopausal signs: Those signs that perimenopausal women generally experience, including hot flashes, vaginal dryness, and irregular cycles.
Menopause: The permanent cessation of ovulation, and hence menstruation. A woman is said to have gone through menopause after not having had a period for a full year.
Menorrhagia: Exceptionally heavy or prolonged bleeding during regular menstrual periods. “Gushing” or “open-faucet” bleeding is considered abnormal. Clots may be considered normal.
Menses: See Menstruation.
Menstrual cycle: The cyclical changes in the ovaries, cervix, and endometrium under the influence of the sex hormones. The length of the menstrual cycle is calculated from the first day of menstruation to the day before the following menstruation.
Menstrual cycle, phases of: There are three specific phases in the menstrual cycle:
1.The preovulatory infertile phase, which starts at the onset of menstruation and ends at the onset of the fertile phase.
2.The fertile phase, which includes the days before and after ovulation when intercourse may result in pregnancy.
3.The postovulatory infertile phase, which starts at the completion of the fertile phase and ends at the onset of the next menstruation.
Menstruation: The cyclical bleeding from the uterus as the endometrium is shed. True menstruation is usually preceded by ovulation 12 to 16 days earlier. Day 1 of menstruation is the first day of true red bleeding.
MESA (Microsurgical epididymal sperm aspiration): A procedure in which a man’s sperm is removed directly from his epididymis, usually in order to use in IVF.
Metformin (Glucophage): A drug that is used by women with PCOS to help treat insulin resistance.
Method failure rate: This refers to the effectiveness of a contraceptive method under ideal conditions, when always used correctly.
Metrorrhagia: Bleeding between periods.
Micromanipulation: A procedure in which a single sperm is inserted directly into the ovum through the assistance of high-tech instruments. The newly created embryo is then transferred from the petri dish to the woman’s uterus.
Microsurgical epididymal sperm aspiration: See MESA.
Midcycle pain: See Ovulatory pain.
Midcycle spotting: Light bleeding between two menstrual periods. Usually occurs around the time of ovulation and is often considered a secondary fertility sign.
Mini-pill: A type of contraceptive pill that contains progesterone but no estrogen.
Miscarriage: The spontaneous loss of the embryo or fetus from the uterus.
Missed abortion: A fetus that has miscarried, or died, but has not emerged naturally.
Missed miscarriage: A pregnancy in which the embryonic tissue remains in the uterus rather than being shed in the form of a regular miscarriage.
Mittelschmerz: See Ovulatory pain.
Molar pregnancy: A rare condition in which a normal pregnancy goes awry, becoming a benign tumor at about 10 weeks.
Monophasic temperature pattern: A chart that does not show the biphasic pattern of low and high temperatures, indicating a probable absence of ovulation that cycle.
Mons pubis: The soft fleshy tissue beneath the pubic hair that protects the internal reproductive organs.
Mucus: See Cervical fluid.
Mucus Method: See Billings Method.
Mucus plug: The accumulation of sticky, infertile-quality cervical fluid in the cervical opening. It generally impedes the passage of sperm through the cervix.
Multiple ovulation: The release of at least two separate eggs in one menstrual cycle. Each of the eggs is released within a 24-hour period of time.
Nabothian cyst: A harmless cyst on the surface of the cervix.
Natural Family Planning (NFP): Method for planning or preventing pregnancy by observation of the naturally occurring signs and symptoms of the fertile and infertile phases of the menstrual cycle. Unlike the Fertility Awareness Method, users of NFP abstain rather than consider using contraceptive barriers during the fertile phase.
Naturopathy: A holistic medical system that avoids drugs and surgery, instead treating health conditions by utilizing what is believed to be the body’s innate ability to heal. It treats people using natural therapies such as nutrition, supplements, herbal medicine, and homeopathy, and makes use of physical forces such as air, light, water, heat, and massage.
NK (Natural Killer) cell: A type of immune-system cell that is believed to play a role in many miscarriages.
Norplant: A hormonal contraceptive in which six matchstick-sized capsules are inserted just beneath the skin of the upper arm that lasts for 5 years; no longer available.
O
bstetrician: A physician who specializes in pregnancy, labor, and delivery.
Oligomenorrhea: Menstrual periods that occur more than 35 days apart.
Oophorectomy: Removal of an ovary.
Opacity: In the context of FAM, the degree to which cervical fluid is opaque.
OPK: See Ovulation predictor kits.
Orgasm: The culmination of sexual excitement in the male or female. Ejaculation accompanies male orgasm.
Osteoporosis: A condition older women may get in which the loss of calcium and other substances leads to their bones becoming more brittle and fragile.
Ova: Plural of ovum.
Ovarian cyst: A follicle on the ovary that stops developing before ovulation, forming a fluid-filled cyst on the ovarian wall.
Ovarian drilling: A surgical procedure that is occasionally done on women with PCOS who are tying to conceive. It involves the use of a laser fiber or electrosurgical needle. The ovaries are gently punctured multiple times in order to lower the presence of male hormones.
Ovarian reserve: The quantity, and to some extent the quality or viability, of the egg supply that is left in the ovaries.
Ovarian wedge resection: A surgical procedure that is occasionally done on women with PCOS who are trying to conceive. It involves slicing a wedge out of an enlarged cystic ovary in order to reduce excess androgen production.
Ovary: One of a pair of female sex organs that produces mature ova, and in turn produces estrogen.
Ovulation: The release of a mature egg (ovum) from the ovarian follicle.
Ovulation method: See Billings Method.
Ovulation predictor kits (OPK): Kits that detect the impending release of an egg, usually by testing urine for the presence of LH.
Ovulatory cycle: A cycle in which ovulation occurs.
Ovulatory pain: Lower abdominal pain occurring around the time of ovulation. It is most likely caused by the irritation of the pelvic lining due to a slight amount of blood loss or from the actual breakthrough of the egg through the ovarian wall.
Ovulatory spotting: See Estrogen withdrawal or Estrogen breakthrough bleeding. The spotting that occurs as a result of the changes in estrogen levels, either just before or after ovulation.
Ovum: The mature female sex cell, or egg. Analogous to the male sperm.
Taking Charge of Your Fertility Page 48