There is a lot of jargon used by both doctors and infertility forums. It definitely feels like another language, but you’ll get used to it and start understanding it piece by piece as you continue on in your fertility journey. Read up on some of these terms here.

Abbreviations & Terms

AF- Aunt Flo (period)

AI- Artificial Insemination. Also known as IUI, AI is where the sperm is injected directly into the uterus.

AMH- Anti-Mullerian Hormone. This is measured via blood test and measures the egg reserve.

Anovulation- the lack of ovulation.

ART- Assisted Reproductive Technology. Fertility treatments that involve both the egg and sperm, such as IUI or IVF.

Azoospermia- The absence of sperm.

Baby Dust- A term used to wish others good luck conceiving or good luck with a pregnancy.

BBT- Basal Body temperature. The body’s resting temperature taken first thing in the morning that is used to detect rising and falling hormone levels during a cycle.

BC- Birth control

BD- Baby dance (sex)

Beta- HCG Pregnancy Test. A blood test that measures the levels of hcg.

BFN- Big fat negative (pregnancy test)

BFP- Big fat positive (pregnancy test)

Blighted Ovum- A fertilized egg that is implanted but doesn’t develop properly.

B/W- Blood work

CD- Cycle day

Chemical Pregnancy- Clinical term for a very early miscarriage. The egg is fertilized but doesn’t implant, causing hcg levels to be detected on an early pregnancy test.

Clomid- Clomiphene citrate, or clomid, is a drug that stimulates ovulation.

CM- Cervical mucus. This changes consistency during a menstrual cycle and can be used to track ovulation.

Cryopreservation- Eggs, sperm, or embryos that are preserved in a frozen environment.

D&C- Dilation and Curettage. This is a procedure to remove tissue from your uterine lining and is often performed after miscarriages.

DH, DW, DP, DS, DD, DF, DB,- Dear husband, Dear wife, dear partner, dear son, dear daughter, dear fiancé, dear boyfriend

DI- Donor Insemination

DPO- Days past ovulation

DPT- Days Past Transfer

DSD, DSS- dear step daughter, dear stepson

DTD- Do the Deed (sex)

Endo- Endometriosis. This occurs when parts of the endometrium grow on abnormal locations.

EP- Ectopic Pregnancy. This is when a fertilized egg implants outside of the uterus.

ER- Egg Retrieval

Estradiol- An estrogen hormone.

ET- Embryo Transfer. The transfer of an embryo into the uterus.

EW or EWCM- Egg White or Egg White Cervical Mucus (description of cervical mucus)

FET- Frozen Embryo Transfer

FH- Follicle Stimulating Hormone

Follicular phase- The first phase of the menstrual cycle, starting with day 1 of bleeding.

FSH- Follicle-Stimulating Hormone

FX- Fingers Crossed

GIFT- Gamete Intrafallopian Transfer

GD- Gestational Diabetes

GnRH- Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone. This hormone stimulates the release of gonadotropins, LH and FSH, which stimulate the ovaries.

HCG- Human Chorionic Gonadotropin. This hormone is found in early pregnancy to help maintain progesterone levels. This hormone can also trigger ovulation.

HPT- Home pregnancy test

HSC- Hysteroscopy. A procedure to see inside the uterus.

HSG- Hysterosalpingogram. A procedure to observe the fallopian tubes.

ICSI- Intracytoplasmic Sperm Insertion. This is the injection of sperm into an egg in IVF.

Injectables- Fertility meds that are injected.

IUI- Intrauterine Insemination, see Artificial Insemination

IVF- In Vitro Fertilization. This is a procedure where ovulation is induced, eggs are extracted, and eggs are combined with sperm outside of the body and the resulting embryos transferred back into the uterus.

LH- Luteinizing Hormone. A hormone that stimulates the release of eggs.

LMP- Last Menstrual Period (start date)

Luteal Phase- The phase after ovulation until the period.

MC- Miscarriage

MIL, FIL, BIL, SIL- mother in law, father in law, brother in law, sister-in-law

MS- Morning sickness

O- Ovulation

OB- Obstetrician

OHSS- Ovarian Hyper Stimulation Syndrome. This is a medical condition that affects the ovaries of some women on fertility medication.

OI- Ovulation Induction

OPK- Ovulation predictor kit

OPU- Ovum (Egg) Pick Up

OTC- Over the Counter (medications)

PCOS- Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome. A hormone disturbance linked to infrequent ovulation.

PG- Pregnant

PGS- Preimplantation Genetic Screening

POF- Premature Ovarian Failure

Recurrent Pregnancy Loss- Two or more failed pregnancies.

RE- Reproductive Endocrinologist (fertility specialist)

SA- Semen Analysis

S/B- Stillbirth

SD/SS- Stepdaughter, Stepson

Secondary Infertility – Refers to infertility that occurs after a successful pregnancy.

Sperm Morphology- Refers to the shape of the sperm.

Sperm Motility- Refers to the movement of sperm.

SO- Significant other

Sticky Thoughts- Wishing another well during a pregnancy, referring to the embryo sticking to the uterus and continue developing.

TI- Timed Intercourse

TTC- Trying to conceive

U/S- Ultrasound

TWW (or 2WW)- 2 week wait from ovulation to period