Increase Your IVF Vocabulary: Infertility Treatment Terms
During infertility treatment, you will commonly be confronted with unfamiliar acronyms and terms describing your diagnosis and treatment plan. These acronyms and terms may be confusing and can make understanding your diagnosis and treatment challenging. Dr. John Zhang has compiled a list of acronyms and definitions of terms you should familiarize yourself with as you begin your infertility treatment.
Infertility Treatment Terms You Should Know
AMH
Anti-Mullerian Hormone (AMH) is one of the primary indicators of a woman’s egg reserve. The AMH hormone produces egg follicles in a woman’s ovaries. The lower a woman’s level of AMH, the lower the number of eggs she has remaining. A woman’s ovarian reserve is one of the primary measurements of her fertility.
FSH
Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) is one of the primary hormones evaluated as a part of the fertility diagnostic process. FSH is responsible for stimulating ovarian follicles to mature during a woman’s cycle. FSH levels that are outside of normal levels are generally evidence of a low ovarian supply.
IUI
Intrauterine Insemination (IUI) is commonly prescribed as a first treatment option for unexplained fertility when regular, ovulation-timed sexual intercourse has failed. Also known as artificial insemination, a woman is administered oral fertility drugs to stimulate her egg production. When ovulation is triggered, a concentrated amount of sperm is inserted directly into her cervix – similar to a Pap smear procedure.
IVF
Conventional IVF (IVF) treatment is the hyperstimulation of egg follicle production through daily injections of hormone drugs. The ovaries are stimulated to produce the maximum number of eggs possible during a fresh IVF cycle – 10+.
Natural Cycle IVF™ and Mini-IVF™
Our Natural Cycle IVF™ and Mini-IVF™ protocols are proven to be safe and successful. These protocols are a gentle alternative form of IVF that are holistic. The health risks and costs associated with large dosages of fertility drugs through Conventional IVF are avoided.
IVM
In Vitro Maturation (IVM) technology makes it possible to harvest and use a woman’s immature eggs. IVM technology increases a woman’s chances of using at least some of her immature eggs for fertilization
ICSI
Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI) is an ancillary procedure used in conjunction with IVF to inject a single sperm directly into an egg using a glass needle – pipette – in vitro.
PGD
Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD) is a test performed on embryos while they are developing in vitro before transfer. PGD specifically analyzes each embryo for chromosomal abnormalities. The test is able to detect too few or too many chromosomes in an embryo’s cells prior to embryo transfer. Through PGD, only the highest quality embryos are transferred to the mother’s uterus or cryopreserved. This ensure the highest chance of a successful pregnancy.
PGS
Preimplantation Genetic Screening (PGS) is a test performed on embryos in vitro prior to transfer during an IVF cycle. Rather than looking at chromosomal issues, PGS looks for evidence of a specific genetic disease. This test ensures a genetic disease is not passed on to the child being conceived in vitro. PGS is also used to help patients with their family planning through gender selection.
More Helpful Infertility Treatment Resources
It is important to work with a fertility doctor understanding which treatment method is best for you, considering your specific medical needs. Personalized treatment plans offer the highest success rates and the best overall patient satisfaction.
To schedule your initial consultation with Dr. John Zhang – call 917-525-5496.
