When going through fertility treatment, you’ll encounter terms, phrases, and acronyms that you’ve likely never heard before. Whether a website is talking about PCOS symptoms or what a FET is like, you might get overwhelmed by the multitude of different labels there are in the fertility community.
Use this quick cheat sheet when you need help deciphering some of the more common fertility terms and acronyms until you feel like a pro!
A
ANA: Antinuclear antibodies
ART: Assisted reproductive technology
ASRM: American Society of Reproductive Medicine
B
BBT: Basal body temperature
BCP: Birth control pills
Beta: a pregnancy blood test that measures the level of hCG
BFN: Big fat negative (negative pregnancy test)
BFP: Big fat positive (positive pregnancy test)
BW: Bloodwork
C
CCT: Clomid challenge test
CD: Cycle day (a specific day in your menstrual cycle)
CM: Cervical mucus
D
D&C: Dilation and curettage
DE: Donor eggs
DOR: Diminished ovarian reserve
DPT: Days post-transfer: days after an embryo transfer
DPO: Days post-ovulation (used while waiting to take a pregnancy test)
Dx: Diagnosis
E
E2: Estradiol
EDD: Estimated due date
ENDO: Endometriosis
ER: Egg retrieval
ERA: Endometrial receptivity array
ET: Embryo transfer
EWCM: Egg white cervical mucus: describing the consistency of cervical mucus present around ovulation
F
FET: Frozen embryo transfer
FSH: Follicle-stimulating hormone
G
GnRH: Gonadotropin-releasing hormone
GIFT: Gamete Intrafallopian Transfer
H
HCG: Human chorionic gonadotropin: the hormone tested to determine pregnancy
HPT: Home pregnancy test
HSG: Hysterosalpingogram
I
ICSI: Intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection
IF: Infertility
IM: Intramuscular injections
IUI: Intrauterine insemination
IVIg: Intravenous immunoglobulin
L
Lap: Laparoscopy
LH: Luteinizing hormone
LMP: Last menstrual period
M
MC, M/C: Miscarriage
MF: Male factor
O
O: Ovulation
OB, OB/GYN: Obstetrician or obstetrician/gynecologist
OHSS: Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome
OPT or OPK: Ovulation predictor test or ovulation predictor kit
P
P4, Prog: Progesterone
PCOS: Polycystic ovary syndrome
PGT-A: preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidies
PGT-M: preimplantation genetic testing for monogenic defects
PRP: Platelet-Rich Plasma
PCP: Primary care physician
PESA: Percutaneous epididymal sperm aspiration
PID: Pelvic inflammatory disease
PMS: Pre-menstrual syndrome
POF: Premature ovarian failure
R
RE: Reproductive endocrinologist
RI: Reproductive immunologist
RPL: Recurrent pregnancy loss
S
SA: Semen analysis
SART: Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology
SHG: Sonohysterogram
SPA: Sperm penetration assay
SubQ: Subcutaneous injection
T
T4: Thyroxine
TESA: Testicular Sperm Aspiration
TI: Timed intercourse
TET: Tubal Embryo Transfer
TSH: Thyroid-stimulating hormone
TTC: Trying to conceive
TWW or 2WW: Two-week wait (time-frame between ovulation your pregnancy test)
U
US: Ultrasound
W
WNL: Within normal limits
Z
ZIFT: Zygote Intrafallopian Transfer
You might feel like this list is overwhelming, but we promise you’ll be an expert in no time! Use this cheat sheet when in a pinch, and arm yourself with the proper fertility lingo that’ll have your physician asking if you went to medical school in no time!
Why New Hope?
So, is New Hope the right center for you? Our goal is to provide you with the best IVF experience possible. As the first facility to implement the revolutionary Mini IVF protocol, our team is well versed in helping women of all ages reach their fertility goals. Our team understands infertility is a personal journey, so we custom design fertility treatments for the individual to increase the chances of a successful pregnancy. New Hopes specialists believe in putting the patient first and being with them through every step of the fertility journey. If you want compassionate fertility care, New Hope is the right place for you. Call us at (212) 517-7676 or schedule your initial consultation today!