Navigating fertility treatment often means learning a new language filled with medical terms that may be new to you. To help you feel more confident and informed during your journey, we’ve listed some of the most common infertility terms and what they mean for your care.
Common acronyms and abbreviations
AMH: Anti-Müllerian hormone
AMH is one of the best indicators of a woman’s ovarian reserve—the number of eggs remaining in the ovaries. As a woman ages, AMH levels naturally decrease. Low AMH levels can signal a reduced ovarian reserve, while higher levels suggest more eggs available for ovulation.
BW: Bloodwork
Bloodwork helps your fertility specialist evaluate key hormone levels to understand your reproductive health and guide diagnosis and treatment.
DE: Donor egg
Donor egg treatment may be recommended for women who can carry a pregnancy but are unable to use their own eggs, such as those with diminished ovarian reserve, premature ovarian failure, or certain genetic conditions. It’s also an option for same-sex male couples working with a gestational carrier.
FSH: Follicle-stimulating hormone
FSH is produced by the brain and helps stimulate ovarian follicles (tiny sacs containing eggs) to grow and mature. Measuring FSH levels can provide insight into ovarian function.
GC: Gestational carrier
A gestational carrier (GC), also known as a surrogate, is someone who carries a pregnancy for another person or couple. Unlike a “traditional surrogate,” a gestational carrier has no genetic link to the child.
hCG (Beta)
Human chorionic gonadotropin, or hCG, is the hormone detected during pregnancy testing. Rising hCG levels in early pregnancy typically indicate healthy development. A “beta” pregnancy test measures hCG levels through a blood draw.
HSG: Hysterosalpingogram
An HSG is an X-ray procedure that evaluates the uterus and fallopian tubes. Dye is passed through the cervix to check if the tubes are open and if the uterus appears normal in shape and contour.
ICSI: Intracytoplasmic sperm injection
ICSI is a laboratory procedure used during IVF when sperm count or quality is low. A single sperm is injected directly into an egg to assist fertilization—an effective treatment for male factor infertility.
IUI: Intrauterine insemination
IUI is a fertility treatment that places sperm directly into the uterus to help it reach the egg more easily. It’s often one of the first treatment options for couples facing mild fertility challenges.
IVF: In vitro fertilization
IVF combines an egg and sperm in a lab to create an embryo, which is then transferred to the uterus to establish a pregnancy. IVF is one of the most effective fertility treatments available today.
LH: Luteinizing hormone
LH is a hormone that triggers ovulation—the release of an egg from the ovary. Tracking LH levels can help identify fertile days in your cycle.
MF: Male factor infertility
Male factor infertility can attribute up to 40% of all infertility cases and can result from sperm production issues, structural abnormalities, or other conditions affecting sperm function.
OHSS: Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome
OHSS is a rare complication of fertility medications that stimulate the ovaries. It can cause swelling, discomfort, and fluid buildup in the abdomen. Monitoring and early detection help prevent severe cases.
P4: Progesterone
Progesterone supports the uterine lining and early pregnancy. Testing progesterone levels helps determine if ovulation occurred, assess pregnancy health, and identify possible issues such as miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy.
PCOS: Polycystic ovary syndrome
PCOS is a hormonal disorder where the ovaries produce excess male hormones and develop small cysts. It can lead to irregular periods and difficulty with ovulation, making conception more challenging.
PGT: Preimplantation genetic testing
PGT screens embryos for chromosomal abnormalities before transfer during IVF. It can help reduce the risk of miscarriage and identify embryos most likely to result in a healthy pregnancy.
RPL: Recurrent pregnancy loss
Recurrent pregnancy loss refers to two or more consecutive miscarriages before 20 weeks of pregnancy. Causes can include genetic, anatomical, hormonal, or immune factors, among others.
SA: Semen analysis
A semen analysis evaluates sperm count, shape, and movement to assess male fertility potential and guide treatment recommendations.
SI: Secondary infertility
Secondary infertility occurs when someone has difficulty getting pregnant after previously being pregnant.
TTC: Trying to conceive
TTC refers to the time a couple spends attempting to get pregnant through regular, unprotected intercourse. Most couples conceive within a year, but if pregnancy hasn’t occurred after that time, a fertility evaluation may be helpful.
2WW: Two-week wait
The two-week wait refers to the period between ovulation or embryo transfer and the time you can take a pregnancy test. It can be an emotional time for many patients waiting to find out if treatment was successful.
US: Ultrasound
Ultrasound imaging helps your care team monitor ovarian follicles, evaluate the uterus and ovaries, and track early pregnancy development.
Feel more confident on your fertility journey
You don’t have to navigate new information or your fertility treatment plan alone. At IVF Florida, we’re here to answer questions and help you understand every step of your treatment.
