Amenorrhea

This is the absence of menses for more than 6 moths.

Anovulation

The absence of ovulation.

Anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH)

This is a hormone, which is produced by the granulosa cells of preantral and small antral follicles, and its levels can be assessed in serum. AMH levels might be used as a marker for ovarian ageing.

Aromatase inhibitor

Medicaments in oral form that are given in order to stimulate the ovaries and to provoke the ovulation. Aromatase inhibitors have an effect on ovarian structures and increase the follicular sensitivity for FSH. This group medicament does not have a negative effect on endometrium and cervical mucus like clomiphene citrate.
Aspermia

No spermatozoa or cells of spermatogenesis in the ejaculate.

Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART)

These are biomedical procedures utilized to improve the chances for getting sperm and eggs together. Included are the procedures such as intrauterine insemination, conventional IVF and micromanipulations.

Asthenozoospermia

Decreasing of quantity of mobile forms and also the speed of sperm movement in the ejaculate.

Azoospermia

This is the absence of spermatozoa but presence of cells of spermatogenesis.

Basal body temperature

This is the temperature that is measured each day of the menstrual cycle at the same time (usually upon awakening).

Blastocyst

An embryonic stage of development occurring on day 5 or 6 after fertilization.

Blastocyst Transfer

The process in which embryos are transferred at day five of development instead of day three of development. This method increases the success rate and decreases the risk of multiple pregnancies.

Cervical mucus

A fluid that is secreted by the cervix when estrogen is ripening eggs just before ovulation. This mucus nourishes the sperm and helps it travel. Slippery mucus generally moves down to the vaginal opening. Many women monitor their cervical mucus to determine their most fertile time of the month.

Clomiphene citrate

Тhis is an oral medication that is used to stimulate the ovaries.

Corpus luteum

The mass of cells that form from the follicle once the egg has been released from the ovary. The corpus luteum produces progesterone.

Cyst

A mass filled with either fluid or soft material. When on the ovary, can cause ovulation problems and can be painful if ruptures.

Dopamine agonists (Parlodel, Bromocriptine)

Madications, which are used to return prolactin levels to normal when excess prolactine is being secreted.

Ectopic (tubal) Pregnancy (Extra uterinae)

A pregnancy occurring outside of the uterus - usually in the fallopian tube, but can occur in the abdominal cavity.

Ejaculation

The expulsion of semen from the penis.

Embryo

The fertilized egg up to the 8th week of development.

Embryologist

Biologist who is specialized in the field of embryology and who is doing all laboratory procedures that are connected with infertility treatment.

Endocrine Gland

A gland that secretes hormones into the bloodstream.

Endometriosis

A condition where the endometrium or other uterine tissue grows outside of the uterus, such as on the ovaries, fallopian tubes or along the abdominal wall. This can cause painful menstruation and infertility.
Endometrium

The uterine lining, which has an important role in the process of the embryo implantation.

Erectil dysfunction

Lacking the ability to have an erection. Commonly known as impotence.

Estrogen

Female sex hormones (also produced in men in small amounts), produced in the ovaries.

Fallopian tubes

The tubes extending from the uterus to the ovaries, where conception takes place.

Follicle

The capsule of cells surrounding the egg in the ovary.

Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH)

The hormone that stimulates follicle development in women and sperm production in men.

Follicular Phase

The first phase of the menstrual cycle. This is the time when the egg is ripening for ovulation.

Gametes

The male and female reproductive cells: spermatozoon and eggs.

Gonadotropins

Gonadotropins are the hormones FSH and LH that are normally produced by the pituitary to stimulate the ovary. This group medication has various forms: from urinary origin – both FSH and LH (In Bulgaria are registered: Pergonal, Menogon, Metrodin, Humegon) or from recombinant origin – FSH and LH. Careful monitoring with ultrasound and hormone tests is required to prevent overstimulation of the ovary leading to the hyperstimulation syndrome.

Gonadotropin Releasing Hormone

This is the hormone that is used by the hypothalamus to stimulate the secretion of FSH and LH from the pituitary.

Gonadotropin Releasing Hormone Agonist (GnRH-agonist)

Medicaments that have similar to Gonadotropin releasing hormone structure and effect. Initially they cause an increase realizing of gonadotropins production following by supresion of pituitary function.

Gonadotropin Releasing Hormone Antagonist (GnRH-antagonist)

Medicaments that have similar to Gonadotropin releasing hormone structure. These medicaments block the GnRH receptors and supresed releasing of gonadotropins.

Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG)

The hormone hCG is the hormone that is produced by the early pregnancy and is what is measured in pregnancy tests. This hormone is similar in appearance to the gonadotropin LH so is used to trigger ovulation.

Hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS).

This is a potentially serious complication associated with the use of gonadotropins, but can also happen with Clomiphene citrate. The usual clinical situation involves the development of multiple follicles with high levels of estrogen. If hCG is given to trigger ovulation, the ovaries and surrounding tissue may start weeping large amouts of fluid into the peritoneal cavity. This can result in circulatory, vascular, or respiratory difficulties in addition to the discomfort associated with enlarged ovaries. Severe hyperstimulation requires intensive in-hospital care.

Hysterosalpingogram (HSG)

This is the procedure that evaluates the structure of the uterine cavity and fallopian tubes. It is performed in Radiology and X-rays are taken during the course of this procedure.

Hypothalamus

A part of the brain that regulates certain functions, including sex hormone production.

Inhibin B

Inhibin В is a hormone secreted by the granulose cells in the ovary and gives information about ovarian reserve. Also takes part in regulation of FSH.

Implantation

When the egg burrows into the uterine lining.

Laparoscopy

This is a surgical technique that is used in order to diagnose and treatment of some diseases.

Luteal phase

The period that includes the second half of the menstrual cycle. During this time, ovulation has taken place and progesterone is released by the corpus luteum.

Luteinizing Hormone (LH)

The hormone that trggers ovulation. It is released from the pituitary gland.

Menstruation

The shedding of the blood-rich uterine lining.

Necrospermia

The presence of non-viable sperm in the ejaculate.

Oligozoospermia

Low sperm count in the ejaculate.

Ovarian Reserve

This is a term that is used to describe the ovarian response and is associated with ovarian aging, which sometimes is different from biological age of the woman. The early ovarian aging of young women can cause infertility. Decreased ovarian reserve is associated with low ovarian response in stimulated cycle. There are some specific hormonal and functional tests for diagnose of ovarian reserve.

Ovaries

The female sex glands that produce eggs and hormones. Located in pelvis.

Ovulation

A time in a woman’s menstrual cycle when the egg is released from the follicle.

Pituitary

Gland with internal secretion that is responsible for syntesis of 10 hormones (known).

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)

The usual definition of this condition includes absent or infrequent ovulation and evidence of increased male hormones. The ovaries are usually enlarged and have multiple small, incompletely developed follicles immediately underneath the surface of the ovary.

Progesteron

This is a hormone that is produced in the second part of the menstrual cycle.

Prolactin

The hormone that is secreted from pituitary and takes part in folliculogenesis and implantation.

Pyospermia

The presence of pus in the ejaculate.

Reproductive Endocrynologist

A physician who has received an advanced training in the diagnosis and treatment of infertility and reproductive disorders, after completion of full training in obstetrics and gynecology.

Semen analysis

It includes laboratory tests to determine the quality and quantity of sperm.

Sonohysterography

This is the procedure that utilizes ultrasound to evaluate the inside of the uterine cavity.

Teratozoospermia

Less than 5% spermatozoon with normal morphology by Kruger’s strict criteria or less than 30% spermatozoon with normal morphology by WHO criteria.

Testes

The male sex glands that produce sperm and hormones. Located in the scrotum.

Uterus

Also known as the "womb," this is where a baby grows during gestation.

Vagina

Female organ that connects external genitals with cervix and uterus.