Fertility Glossary
Glossary of Fertility Terms
- Ectopic Pregnancysearch for term
- A normal pregnancy results when the embryo implants inside the uterus. When implantation occurs outside the uterus, an ectopic pregnancy ensues. Such an abnormal pregnancy can be located in the tubes, the ovaries, the cervix or inside the abdomen. Synonyms: Tubal Pregnancy
- Eggsearch for term
- The mature female gamete.
- Egg Retrievalsearch for term
- Minimally invasive procedure to retrieve eggs for IVF using ultrasound guided needle aspiration through the vagina. Typically takes 15 to 30 minutes. Painless because of intravenous and local pain medicines.
- Ejaculatesearch for term
- As a noun, it refers to the mixture of sperm and seminal fluid that comes out of a man's penis during sexual stimulation. As a verb, it refers to the passing of this material.
- Eltoejaculationsearch for term
- Electrical stimulation of nerves that control ejaculation, used to obtain semen from men with spinal cord injuries.
- Embryosearch for term
- The developing individual from approximately the second week until approximately the end of the second month.
- Embryo Replacementsearch for term
- Introduction of a thawed embryo into a woman's uterus after in vitro fertilization.
- Embryo Transfersearch for term
- Introduction of an embryo into a woman's uterus after in vitro fertilization.
- Embryologistsearch for term
- A scientist who specializes is embryo development
- Endometrial Biopsysearch for term
- A procedure that involves taking a small sample of tissue from the inside lining of the uterus (called the endometrium). An endometrial biopsy is done for many reasons. In a case of investigation for infertility, it is performed to evaluate the endometrium for its readiness to accept the embryo. An endometrial biopsy is also performed for abnormal uterine bleeding to diagnose hormonal imbalances or an anatomic cause for the bleeding, such as polyps, hyperplasia (abnormal benign growth of the endometrium) or cancer
- Endometriosissearch for term
- The presence of endometrial tissue (the normal uterine lining) in abnormal locations such as the tubes, ovaries and peritoneal cavity.
- Endometriumsearch for term
- The lining of the uterus.
- Epididymussearch for term
- The organ in the man where sperm are stored, nourished, and mature after manufacture.
- Estrogensearch for term
- The primary female hormone produced mainly by the ovary from puberty to menopause. Estrogen is responsible for the normal growth and differentiation of both the follicle and the egg. It also plays an important role in preparing the endometrial lining where implantation would occur in case of pregnancy. Estrogen also changes the quality and texture of the cervical mucus, making it thinner and more elastic. This allows the normal passage of sperm through the cervix towards the uterus and the tube where it meets the egg.
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