The world of fertility is complex enough when you are starting your treatment journey let alone trying to decipher what the heck all of the acronyms and abbreviations mean that your healthcare professionals or fellow fertility warriors are using. SHG, ART, ICSI, AH, BHCG… just to name a few. At The Warrior Coach, the goal is to have you feeling educated as you are going through treatment or sharing your experience. Let’s have less “relying on my physician and nurse to guide me towards success” and more of “I understand what, why, and how” during your journey to conceiving. Let’s take control of what we can with your treatment and have you feeling confident that you know exactly what is going on!
Here are some commonly used medically approved and non-approved acronyms and abbreviations so you can crack the codes:
A-C
A
ACA: Anti-Cardiolipin Antibody- antibodies produced by the immune system against the platelet membrane phospholipids responsible for the coagulation of blood clots. AFC: Antral Follicle Count- an ovarian reserve test performed by transvaginal ultrasound AH (Or AEH): Assisted Hatching or Assisted Embryo Hatching - a procedure to help the embryo “hatch” from its “shell” by creating a small crack in the zona pellucida AI: Artificial Insemination- a treatment method used to deliver sperm directly to the cervix or uterus in the hopes of getting pregnant AMA: Advanced Maternal Age - person is over the age of 35 years AMH: Anti-Mullerian Hormone: a substance produced by granulosa cells in ovarian follicles that is indicative of ovarian reserve ANA: Anti-nuclear Antibodies - a test that measures the amount and pattern of antibodies in your blood that work against your own body (autoimmune reaction) APA: Antiphospholipid Antibodies - a test to see if your immune system mistakenly creates antibodies that attack tissues in the body ART: Assisted Reproductive Technology - includes fertility treatments that handle both eggs and sperm ASA: Anti-sperm Antibodies - a test that looks for special proteins (antibodies) that fight against sperm in blood, vaginal fluids, or semen
B B2GP: Beta 2-Glycoprotein - A test to see if there are antibodies present that have been associated with miscarriages and recurrent pregnancy loss BBT: Basal Body Temperature - a fertility awareness-based method to detect ovulation where temperature at rest is monitored for a slight increase BCP: Birth Control Pill - often used in fertility treatment to suppress hormones to take control prior to stimulation and/or or make treatment dates more predictable BHCG/BetaHCG: Beta Human Chorionic Gonadotropin - Pregnancy Hormone BID: Bis in die - 2x/day Biochem: Biochemical Pregnancy - A pregnancy loss occurring shortly after a positive urine or blood test that was never confirmed/visualized on ultrasound BMI: Body Mass Index - a person's weight divided by the square of height BP: Blood Pressure - measure of how hard your blood pushes against your arteries as it moves through your body BW/ B/W: Bloodwork - Diagnostic testing of blood BX: Biopsy -a procedure to remove a piece of tissue or a sample of cells from your body so that it can be tested in a laboratory
C Ca: Cancer - a disease in which some of the body's cells grow uncontrollably and spread to other parts of the body CD: Cycle Day - the day that is counted from the first day of a woman’s menstrual period ex. Cycle Day 3 is two days after the first day of full flow vaginal bleeding CF: Cystic Fibrosis - an inherited disorder that causes severe damage to the lungs, digestive system and other organs in the body CMV: Cytomegalovirus - A common virus usually diagnosed with bloodwork. Once infected, your body retains the virus for life CoQ10: CoEnzyme Q10 - an antioxidant that your body produces naturally or taken by supplement. Supplements are often taken by people with infertility with the intention to improve egg quality, despite little supporting evidence Cryo: Cryopreservation - (or “freezing”) is a process that preserves organelles, cells, tissues, or any other biological constructs by cooling the samples to very low temperatures Cx: Cancel - To stop or discontinue
D-F
D D1, D2, etc: Day 1 [of menses] - the day that is counted from the first day of a woman’s menstrual period ex. Day 3 is two days after the first day of full flow vaginal bleeding D&C: Dilation and Curettage - a procedure to remove tissue from inside your uterus to treat certain uterine conditions such as heavy bleeding, or to clear the lining after a miscarriage or abortion D&E: Dilation and Evacuation - a procedure usually done in the second trimester of pregnancy to remove uterine tissue DE: Donor Embryo - a form of third-party reproduction in which unused embryos remaining from one person/couple’s in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment are donated to another person or couple DHEA: Dehydroepiandrosterone: - a hormone that your body naturally produces in the adrenal gland that helps produce other hormones, including testosterone and estrogen DI: Donor Insemination - a fertility treatment that involves using a sperm donor to conceive – typically referring to Intrauterine Insemination (IUI) DM: Diabetes Mellitus - a group of diseases that affect how your body uses blood sugar (glucose) DNA: Deoxyribonucleic Acid - the hereditary material in humans and almost all other organisms DNA Frag: Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) Fragmentation - A test used to determine a change or deletion of bases, or a break or separation in one or both strands of DNA contained within sperm DOR: Diminished Ovarian Reserve - a condition in which the ovary loses its normal reproductive potential, compromising fertility DSL: Diagnostic Semen Laboratory - A laboratory that provides specialized services related to the evaluation and treatment of male fertility D/T: Due to - caused by Dx: Diagnosis - The process of identifying a disease, condition, or injury from its signs and symptoms E E2: Estradiol - the form of estrogen made mainly by the ovaries which plays a key role in the development of the female reproduction system. A blood test done early in a menstrual cycle gives insight to the number of eggs of the ovary – ideally <200pmol/L ED: Egg Donor/Egg Donation - a process in which a fertile woman donates an egg, or oocyte, to another person to help with conception ED: Erectile Dysfunction - difficulty getting and keeping an erection Endo: Endometriosis - an often painful disorder in which tissue similar to the tissue that normally lines the inside of your uterus — the endometrium — grows outside your uterus ER: Egg Retrieval - a technique used in in vitro fertilization in order to remove oocytes from the ovary of a woman, enabling fertilization outside the body ER+: Estrogen Receptor Positive - Describes cells that have a protein that binds to the hormone estrogen. Cancer cells that are estrogen receptor positive may need estrogen to grow ET: Embryo Transfer - a step in the process of In Vitro fertilization (IVF) in which embryos are placed into the uterus of a female with the intent to establish a pregnancy F FET: Frozen Embryo Transfer - a fertility treatment that involves thawing one or more embryos (frozen during a previous treatment cycle) and transferring that embryo (or embryos) to the uterus in order to try to establish a pregnancy Fert Pres: Fertility Preservation - the process of saving or protecting eggs, sperm, or embryos for use at a later date FHR: Fetal Heart Rate - the speed at which a fetus’ heart beats per minute in utero FSH: Follicle Stimulating Hormone - a hormone released by the pituitary gland responsible for the growth of ovarian follicles. A blood test done early in a menstrual cycle gives insight to the # of eggs of the ovary. <10IU/L is considered a good level; >15IU/L may indicate reduced ovarian reserve
G-I
G GDM: Gestational Diabetes Mellitus - a condition in which a hormone made by the placenta prevents the body from using insulin effectively GI: Gastrointestinal - is the tract or passageway of the digestive system that leads from the mouth to the anus GnRH: Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone - a hormone made by a part of the brain called the hypothalamus. GnRH causes the pituitary gland in the brain to make and secrete the hormones luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) GP: General Practitioner - a physician who treat acute and chronic illnesses and provide preventative care GTT: Glucose Tolerance Test - measures your body's response to sugar (glucose) GTPAL: Gravida (# of pregnancies), Term, Preterm, Abortion, Living - a measurement of the number of pregnancies and deliveries with different outcomes someone has had GYNE: Gynecologist - a physician specializing in reproductive health H HCG: Human Chorionic Gonadotropin - a hormone secreted early in pregnancy by specialized cells called trophoblasts and later by the placenta. HCG injections are sometimes used in fertility treatments to cause an egg to mature and release from the ovary for egg retrieval or intrauterine insemination (IUI) HCP: Healthcare Practitioner - Any regulated healthcare. professional authorized to prescribe medications or health care interventions Hep: Hepatitis: -inflammation of the liver HIV: Human Immunodeficiency virus - a virus that attacks the body's immune system HMG IUI: Human Menopausal Gonadotropin Intrauterine Insemination - A fertility treatment option using daily injections to grow more than one mature egg at a time, triggering ovulation, followed by an intrauterine insemination (IUI) HPT: Home Pregnancy Test - a non-prescription urine test utilized to find the presence of a pregnancy hormone HRT: Hormone Replacement Therapy - medication that contains female hormones used to replace the estrogen that your body stops making during menopause HSG: Hysterosalpingogram - an x-ray procedure used to see whether the fallopian tubes are patent (open) and if the inside of the uterus (uterine cavity) is normal HTLV: Human T-Lymphotropic Virus - a retrovirus that infects human white blood cells and can cause disease of the nervous system HX: History - whole series of past events connected with someone or something I IBT: Immunobead Test - A test performed to identify antibodies on sperm cells by immunoglobulin class and general specificity (head, midpiece, and tail) ICSI: Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection - A procedure performed by a skilled embryologist to enhance fertilization of an egg and a sperm by injecting a single sperm into the cytoplasm of a mature egg IDBW: Infectious Disease Bloodwork - A blood test to detect an infectious disease such as HIV, Hepatitis, and Syphillis IM: Intramuscular: [injection] - a technique used to deliver a medication deep into the muscles IUI: Intrauterine Insemination - treatment in which sperm that have been separated from the seminal fluid (sperm washing) are placed high in the uterus with a small sterile catheter just before ovulation to increase the likelihood that an egg will be fertilized IV: Intravenous - “Within a vein”. Most often refers to giving medicines or fluids through a needle or tube inserted into a vein IVF: In Vitro Fertilization - Means“fertilization in glass” or in the laboratory. IVF is a process by which egg cells are fertilized by sperm outside the body
L-N
L LA: Lupus Anticoagulant - Can cause tiny blood clots and a known risk factor for recurrent miscarriages. Can be tested for the presence of these antibodies when investigating the cause of subsequent fetal losses LAP: Laparoscopy - a surgical procedure in which a fiber-optic instrument is inserted through the abdominal wall to view the organs in the abdomen or to permit a surgical procedure LASER: Assisted Embryo Hatching - a procedure to help an embryo “hatch” from its “shell” by creating a small crack in the zona pellucida from a trained embryologist to help an embryo implant in the uterus, leading to higher pregnancy rates. LH: Luteinizing Hormone - a hormone secreted by the anterior pituitary gland. A test measures how much luteinizing hormone (LH) is in your blood. In fertility, it can help identify if a woman’s ovulation has occurred or not LMP: Last Menstrual Period - the first day (onset of bleeding) of your last menstrual period LPN: Licensed Practical Nurse - medical professionals who specialize in providing basic essential care to patients LPS: Luteal Phase Support - the term used to describe the administration of medications with the aim to support the process of implantation
M MD: Medical Doctor - Doctor of Medicine MESA: Microsurgical Epididymal Sperm Aspiration - refers to the retrieval of sperm-containing fluid from epididymis that is sent for processing and extraction of sperms. This procedure is done using a fine needle that is inserted from scrotum to epididymis and an operating microscope MF: Male Factor - the presence of abnormal semen parameters or sperm functional assays, or the functional inability to adequately deliver semen into the vaginal canal, by the male partner MicroTESE: Microsurgical Testicular Sperm Extraction - a procedure that takes sperm directly from the testicular tissue of a man’s reproductive system when there is a sperm production issue or azoospermic (no sperm with ejaculation) MMR: Measles Mumps Rubella (Vaccine) - A vaccine to protect from the viral diseases that are primarily spread from person to person through coughing and sneezing MRI: Magnetic Resonance Imaging -a medical imaging technique that uses a magnetic field and computer-generated radio waves to create detailed images of the organs and tissues in your body to diagnose a variety of conditions MTX: Methotrexate - a medication that interferes with the growth of certain cells of the body. It is commonly used for conditions such as Cancer, inflammatory arthritis, and ectopic (or tubal) pregnancies N NA/ N/A: Not Applicable - Does not apply NKA: No Known Allergies - No allergies that the patient is aware of NP: Nurse Practitioner - registered nurses who have additional education and nursing experience, which enables them to treat certain medical conditions without the direct supervision of a doctor NPO: Nil Per Os (Nothing by mouth) - shorthand for a period of time in which you may not eat or drink
O-R
O OB: Obstetrician - is a physician who specializes in pregnancy, childbirth, and a woman's reproductive system OB/GYN: Obstetrician/Gynecologist - a physician who has broad and specific training in obstetrics (pregnancy-related care) and gynecology (a woman’s reproductive system) OCP: Oral Contraceptive Pill - medication that prevents the ovaries from releasing an egg each month (ovulation), thicken cervical mucous, and thins the uterine lining – often used to prevent pregnancy. It also can be used to regulate a woman’s menstrual cycle or in some In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) treatments OD: Omnie in Die -1x/day OD: Oocyte Donor - a process in which a fertile woman donates an egg, or oocyte, to another person(s) to help with conception OHSS: Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome - an exaggerated response to excess hormones that occurs in women taking injectable hormone medications to stimulate the development of eggs in the ovaries (IVF). OHSS causes the ovaries to swell, become painful, and can result in a range of outcomes from mild-severe OI: Ovarian Insufficiency - when the ovaries stop functioning as they should. When this happens, your ovaries don't produce typical amounts of the hormone estrogen or release eggs regularly OPK: Ovulation Predictor Kit - a home test that checks your urine to let you when you're most likely to be fertile (ovulation) and assists you to know when intercourse (or fertility treatment such as an Intrauterine Insemination (IUI) should occur. OPU: Oocyte Pick Up - Commonly termed as an “egg retrieval”. A procedure in which eggs are taken or retrieved from your ovaries. It is one of the steps in the In vitro fertilization (IVF) process and is usually performed through the vagina ORAL: By Mouth - May refer to the administration route of a medication to be taken OTC: Over the Counter - Medication that you can obtain/purchase without the need for a prescription ie. Tylenol, Advil, Aspirin P P: Pulse - The rate at which your heart beats in one minute – normally 60-100 beats/min PCO: Polycystic Ovaries - an indication that there are more ovarian follicles than usual (criteria ranging from >12-25 follicles in each ovary) PCOS: Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome - a hormonal disorder common among women of reproductive age with varying symptoms such as polycystic ovaries (when there are more ovarian follicles than usual (criteria ranging from <12-25 follicles in each ovary)), irregular periods, and excess androgen (male hormone) PESA: Percutaneous Epididymal Sperm Aspiration - a procedure that involves passing a fine needle through the skin into the epididymis to obtain sperm PGT: Preimplantation Genetic Testing - a genetic test performed on embryos produced through In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) PGT-A: Preimplantation Genetic Testing – Aneuploidy - a genetic test performed on embryos produced through In Vitro Fertilization (IVF). The testing gives information about embryos’ genetic health to help a care team select the best embryo for transfer and improve the chance of achieving a successful pregnancy PGT-M: Preimplantation Genetic Testing- Monogenic/Single Gene Defects - a genetic test performed on embryos produced through In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) designed to reduce the risk of having a child with an inherited condition PGT-SR: Preimplantation Genetic Testing – Structural [chromosomal] Rearrangement - a genetic test performed on embryos produced through In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) designed to detect inherited chromosomal rearrangements and increase the chance of a successful pregnancy PID: Pelvic Inflammatory Disease - an infection of the female reproductive organs. It most often occurs when sexually transmitted bacteria spread from your vagina to your uterus, fallopian tubes or ovaries PIO: Progesterone In Oil - A type of intramuscular (IM) injection used in fertility to support the lining of the uterus for embryo implantation, growth, and development PMS: Premenstrual Syndrome - A wide variety of signs and symptoms surrounding a woman’s menstrual cycle including mood swings, tender breasts, food cravings, fatigue, irritability, and depression PO: Per os (by mouth) - May refer to the administration route of a medication to be taken POC: Products of Conception - a medical term used to identify any fetal or placental tissues that develop from a pregnancy POF: Premature Ovarian Failure - When the ovaries stop functioning prior to the age of 40 POI: Premature Ovarian Insufficiency - When the ovaries stop functioning appropriately prior to the age of 40 PRL: Prolactin - A hormone produced by the pituitary glands that can have an effect on ovulation PRN: Pro Re Nata (as needed) - A medical abbreviation for medication to be taken as needed by the patient PROM: Premature Rupture of Membranes - a rupture (breaking open) of the membranes (amniotic sac) before labor begins P4/PROG: Progesterone - a hormone produced by the ovary used in fertility to prepare and support the lining of the uterus to optimize implantation of an embryo and development. Alternatively, it can also be used to bring on a menses (period) PT: Pregnancy Test - A test, either urine or blood, that can tell whether you are pregnant by checking for HCG, a hormone made during pregnancy PTSD: Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder - a mental health condition that's triggered by a terrifying event — either experiencing it or witnessing it. Symptoms may include flashbacks, nightmares, and severe anxiety, as well as uncontrollable thoughts about the event PV: Per Vagina - Administration [of medication] into the vagina
Q QID: Quarter in Die - 4x/day
R REI: Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility -a medical doctor with advanced training (specialist) in the science of fertility and its evaluation and treatment Rh factor: Rhesus factor - an inherited protein found on the surface of red blood cells. If your blood has this protein, you are Rh positive; if it does not, you are Rh negative. This can be relevant with what care you receive during pregnancy and postpartum. R/O: Rule out - exclude something as a possibility ie. to rule out products of conception on an ultrasound RN: Registered Nurse - nursing professional that directly cares for individuals, families, groups, communities to be healthy and well. An RN will coordinate patient care as part of a team with physicians and other healthcare providers. RPL: Recurrent Pregnancy Loss - defined as having had three or more consecutive pregnancy losses prior to 20 weeks gestation RPOC: Retained Products of Conception - Fetal or placental tissue that remains in your uterus after a pregnancy RR: Respiratory Rate - the number of breaths a person takes per minute, usually 12-20 RTC: Return to clinic - refers to a patient who has been ordered to or plans to revisit a clinic site RX: Prescription - an instruction written by a medical practitioner that authorizes a patient to be provided a specific medicine or treatment
S-U
S SA: Spontaneous Abortion - pregnancy loss at less than 20 weeks' gestation in the absence of elective medical or surgical measures to terminate the pregnancy SA: Semen Analysis - a test to measure the number and quality of sperm Sa02: Oxygen Saturation - the amount of oxygen you have circulating in your blood S/B: Stillbirth - the death of loss of a baby after 20 weeks gestation SC: Subcutaneous - refers to the administration route for an injection that is just under the skin in the fatty tissue SET: Single Embryo Transfer - a medical procedure in which one embryo is placed into the uterus by a specialized health care provider SHG/SonoHSG: Sonohysterogram - an ultrasound exam that uses a saline infusion and sound waves to produce pictures of the inside of a uterus SIS: Saline Infusion Sonohysterogram - an ultrasound exam that uses a saline infusion and sound waves to produce pictures of the inside of a uterus S/S: Signs/symptoms - a sign is an objective, observable phenomenon; a symptom is a subjective experience that cannot be identified by anyone other the person experiencing it SR: Surrogate - A woman who agrees to carry and give birth to a baby for another person STD: Sexually Transmitted Disease - An infection passed from one person to another through sexual activity STI: Sexually Transmitted Infection - An infection passed from one person to another through sexual activity Syph: Syphilis - a bacterial infection usually spread through sexual contact
T T4: Thyroxine - Main hormone secreted into the bloodstream by your thyroid gland. Increased or decreased levels can play a role in irregular menstrual cycles and infertility TESA: Testicular Sperm Aspiration - a medical procedure performed by inserting a needle into the testis and aspirating fluid and tissue to retrieve sperm for fertility treatment TESE: Testicular Sperm Extraction - a medical procedure performed by a obtaining a surgical biopsy of the testis to retrieve sperm for fertility treatment TA: Therapeutic Abortion - the deliberate termination of a pregnancy that is performed for medical reasons TDI: Therapeutic Donor Insemination - a fertility treatment that involves using a sperm donor to conceive – typically referring to Intrauterine Insemination (IUI) TID: Ter In Die: 3x/day TL: Tubal Ligation: also known as “having tubes tied” is a medical procedure to prevent pregnancy permanently. The fallopian tubes are cut, tied, or blocked preventing an oocyte (egg) and sperm from meeting each other TSH: Thyroid Stimulating Hormone - A hormone secreted by the pituitary gland that tells your thyroid how much thyroid hormone to make. Increased or decreased levels have been known to have an influence on fertility and pregnancy TTC: Trying to Conceive - Attempting to achieve a pregnancy Tx: Treatment - a session or period of time that medical care is given to a patient
U UR: Urologist - a physician who specializes in the study or treatment of the function and disorders of the urinary system and male reproductive organs US/ U/S: Ultrasound - also called sonography; an imaging method that uses sound waves to produce images of structures, such as ovarian follicles, within the body. This is a test often done for diagnosis, and/or direction of treatment UTI: Urinary Tract Infection: an infection in any part of the urinary system including the urethra, bladder, ureters, and kidneys
V-Z
V VE/Vit Egg: Vitrified Egg - An advanced “egg freezing” process that involves rapidly freezing an egg into a solid state before ice crystal formation. This can be used for multiple fertility treatments such as social preservation, fertility preservation or a backup option if a partner is unable to produce a sperm sample in the necessary time frame
W 2WW: Two Week Wait - The period of time between intended conception and a pregnancy test or missed period. This could include after intercourse, intrauterine insemination, or embryo transfer WBC: White Blood Cell - The part of the body’s immune system responsible for fighting infections and other diseases
