| Explanation of medical terms |
|
adenoma  | non malignant tumour in glandular tissue |
adhesiolyse | removal of adhesions in the abdominal cavity, fallopian tubes, or uterus |
agonist | artificial substance with the same effect as GnRH used during IVF treatment (see also agonist) |
amenorroea | absence of menstruation |
andrology | The medical discipline concerned with the reproductive functions of the man. |
anovulation | absence of ovulation |
antagonist | artificial substance which suppresses production of LH (see also agonist) |
anti-oestrogen | artificial substance which suppresses the effects of oestrogen (eg the contraceptive pill) |
azospermia | absence of sperm cells in the ejaculate. A normal sperm count consists of 20-200 million sperms per ml. Anything less than 2 million sperms per ml constitutes a serious fertility problem (see also normospermia) |
clomifeencitrate | an anti oestrogen used in fertility treatment |
consultation | consult a CRG physician |
dysovulation | irregular ovulation |
| echography | Another term for ultrasound |
| endometriosis | Uterine tissue in places where it does not belong. A cause of infertility problems |
| endometrium | the lining of the uterus |
| epididymis | Part of the testicle. From the Greek 'didimoi' (twins) and 'epi' (next to) |
| fibroma | benign growth upon muscle tissue (see also myoma) |
| folic acid | Vitamin derivative which can reduce the incidence of spina bifeda in the foetus |
| gonadotrophines | hormones which effect the reproductive organs |
hospitalisation | overnight stay at the hospital |
| hypofyse | a gland in the brain which produces gonadotrophines |
| hypothalamus | the part of the brain which produces GnRH |
| hysterosalpingo-graphy | visualization of the uterus and fallopian tubes via the use of x-rays |
| hysteroscopy | visualization of the uterine cavity via an endoscope. Can also be done in order to perform surgery |
| laparoscopy | visualization of the inside of the abdomen and the organs within via an endoscope. Surgery can be performed in this way |
| laparotomy | the surgical opening of the abdomen |
maturation depletion | exhaustion of the supply of mature sperm cells |
| myoma | benign growth in or on the uterus |
| myomectomy | the removal of mymoas or fibroids |
| normozospermia | an ejaculate of at least 2ml, containing at least 20 million sperm per ml, of which at least 50% are motile and more than 30% are of normal shape |
| oestrogen | female sex hormone |
oligozospermia | too few sperms in the ejaculate |
| ovariolyse | mobilization of an ovary affected by adhesions |
| phlebography | radiological examination of veins |
| polyp | abnormal growth on the uterus, usually pear-shaped with a thin stalk |
| polypectomy | removal of a polyp |
| progesterone | female sex hormone that causes changes in the endometrium and facilitates implantation of an embryo |
| reanastomosis | reversal of sterilization (in both men & women) |
| salpingectomy | removal of a fallopian tube |
| salpingolyse | mobilisation of a fallopian tube affected by adhesions |
| salpingotomy | the opening of a fallopian tube, for example to remove an ectopic pregnancy |
| scrotum | bag containing the testicles. |
| septum resection | removal of a division within the uterus |
| testis | testicle |
| testosterone | male sex hormone |
| tuboscopy | the endoscopic examination of the inside of the fallopian tubes |
| vasography | radiological examination of the vas diferens and seminal vesicles |