Open Fertility Patient Education Glossary: Terms to Know

Navigating fertility care often involves learning new medical terminology that can feel overwhelming at first.

We developed this glossary to provide clear, patient-friendly definitions of commonly used fertility terms to help you feel more confident and informed throughout your journey with us. 

A 

AFC (Antral Follicle Count): A transvaginal ultrasound test that counts the number of small follicles (containing immature eggs) visible in both ovaries. This helps assess ovarian reserve and predict how well you might respond to fertility medications. 

AMH (Anti-Müllerian Hormone): A hormone produced by the follicles in your ovaries that indicates your ovarian reserve (how many eggs you have remaining). AMH levels naturally decline with age and help doctors predict your response to fertility treatments. 

Anonymous Donor Sperm: Sperm from a donor whose identity remains confidential and cannot be disclosed to the recipient or any resulting children. Open Fertility only works with anonymous donor sperm. 

Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART): Medical procedures used to help people conceive when natural conception is difficult. In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) is the most common and effective form of ART. 

C 

Chromosomal Abnormalities: Genetic defects in embryos that are a common cause of miscarriage. Genetic screening during IVF can identify these abnormalities to select the healthiest embryos for transfer. 

Cycle: In fertility treatment, this refers to one complete round of treatment. For example, one IVF cycle includes ovarian stimulation, egg retrieval, fertilization, and embryo transfer. 

D 

Donor Sperm: Sperm from a donor used when the sperm-producing partner has fertility issues or for single parents and same-sex couples. Open Fertility works with accepted sperm banks to ensure sufficient anonymous donor sperm availability. 

E 

Egg Freezing (Oocyte Cryopreservation): A process where an individual’s eggs are extracted, frozen, and stored for future use. This preserves the quality of eggs at the age they were frozen, giving more flexibility for family planning. 

Egg Quality: Refers to an egg’s genetic health and ability to develop into a healthy embryo when fertilized. Egg quality naturally declines with age, which is why younger eggs have better success rates. 

Egg Quantity: The number of eggs an individual has in their ovaries. This naturally decreases throughout an individual’s life and cannot be increased, only preserved through egg freezing. 

Egg Retrieval: A minor medical procedure where eggs are collected from the ovaries during an IVF or egg freezing cycle. This is done under sedation and typically takes 20-30 minutes. 

Embryo: A fertilized egg that has begun to develop. In IVF, embryos are created in the laboratory and can be transferred fresh or frozen for future use. 

Embryo Freezing (Embryo Cryopreservation): The process of freezing embryos created through IVF for future use. This allows you to preserve both egg and sperm genetics together and can be an option for couples or those using donor sperm. 

Embryo Transfer: The procedure where a selected embryo is placed into the uterus with the goal of achieving pregnancy. This is typically done 3-5 days after egg retrieval in a fresh IVF cycle. 

F 

Fallopian Tubes: The tubes that connect the ovaries to the uterus. In natural conception, fertilization occurs in these tubes. IVF bypasses the fallopian tubes entirely by fertilizing eggs in a laboratory. 

Fertility: The natural ability to conceive and carry a pregnancy to term. Various factors can affect fertility, including age, medical conditions, and lifestyle factors. 

Fertility Testing: Blood tests and ultrasounds that are used to assess your reproductive health, including AMH levels, AFC, hormone levels, and uterine health. These help create your personalized treatment plan. 

Fertilization: The process where sperm meets and penetrates an egg, creating an embryo. In IVF, this happens in a controlled laboratory environment. 

Follicles: Small sacs in the ovaries that contain immature eggs. The number of follicles visible on ultrasound (AFC) helps assess your ovarian reserve. 

Fresh Embryo Transfer: When an embryo is transferred to the uterus in the same cycle it was created, typically 3-5 days after egg retrieval. 

Frozen Embryo Transfer (FET): When a previously frozen embryo is thawed and transferred to the uterus in a separate cycle from when it was created. 

FSH (Follicle Stimulating Hormone): A hormone that stimulates the ovaries to develop eggs. FSH levels are often tested as part of fertility evaluation, with higher levels potentially indicating decreased ovarian reserve. 

G 

Genetic Screening (PGS – Preimplantation Genetic Screening): Testing performed on embryos created through IVF to check for chromosomal abnormalities before transfer. This helps select the healthiest embryos and reduces miscarriage risk. 

I 

Implantation: The process where an embryo attaches to the lining of the uterus and begins to grow. This typically occurs 6-12 days after fertilization. 

Infertility: The inability to conceive after one year of regular, unprotected intercourse (or six months if over age 35). Affects 1 in 6 couples in the United States. 

In Vitro Fertilization (IVF): The most effective fertility treatment option, where eggs are retrieved from the ovaries, fertilized with sperm in a laboratory, and the resulting embryos are transferred to the uterus. 

IUI (Intrauterine Insemination): A fertility treatment where sperm is placed directly into the uterus around the time of ovulation. Open Fertility does not offer IUI services.  

L 

Low Sperm Count: A condition where there are fewer sperm in an ejaculation than normal (typically less than 15 million sperm per milliliter).  

M 

Medication: Hormonal medications used to stimulate the ovaries to produce multiple eggs in one cycle. These are essential for both IVF and egg freezing procedures. 

Menstrual Cycle: The monthly process where the body prepares for potential pregnancy. Understanding your cycle timing is important for fertility treatments and natural conception attempts. 

Miscarriage: The loss of a pregnancy before 20 weeks. Genetic abnormalities in embryos are a common cause of miscarriages. 

Morphology (Sperm): The shape and structure of sperm. Normal sperm morphology is important for unassisted fertilization. 

Motility (Sperm): The ability of sperm to move and swim effectively. Good motility is essential for sperm to reach and fertilize an egg unassisted. 

O 

Ovarian Reserve: The quantity and quality of eggs remaining in your ovaries. This is assessed through tests like AMH levels and AFC to help predict your response to fertility treatments and fertility potential. 

Ovarian Stimulation: The process of using fertility medications to encourage the ovaries to produce multiple eggs in one cycle, rather than the single egg that would naturally be released. 

Ovaries: The reproductive organs that contain and release eggs. They also produce hormones like estrogen and progesterone. 

P 

Preservation: Methods like egg freezing or embryo freezing that allow individuals to maintain their reproductive options for the future. 

S 

Semen Analysis: A test that evaluates the health and viability of sperm, including count, motility (movement), and morphology (shape). This helps determine if sperm-factor infertility is present. 

Sperm: Reproductive cells that fertilize eggs. A typical fertile ejaculation contains about 20 million sperm, though only one is needed for fertilization. 

Sperm-Factor Infertility: Fertility problems related to sperm count, quality, or function. This accounts for about 40-50% of infertility cases and can often be addressed through IVF. 

Success Rates: The percentage chance of achieving a live birth from a fertility treatment. Success rates vary based on age, diagnosis, and treatment type. 

T 

Trigger Shot: A hormone injection given to mature eggs and triggers ovulation before egg retrieval in IVF or egg freezing cycles. The timing of this shot is critical for successful retrieval. 

Two-Week Wait: The period between embryo transfer and a pregnancy test, typically lasting about 14 days. This can be an emotionally challenging time for patients undergoing IVF. 

Unexplained Infertility: When no specific cause for infertility can be identified despite thorough testing.  

Uterus: The organ where a fertilized embryo implants and grows during pregnancy. A healthy uterine environment is essential for successful implantation and pregnancy. 

V 

Viable Pregnancy: A pregnancy that has the potential to result in a healthy, full-term baby.  

Schedule a Consultation  

Ready to learn more about your fertility options? Our team is here to support you every step of the way with transparent, affordable care. 

Our team is here to support you every step of the way with transparent, affordable care. Schedule a consult today to meet with an Open Fertility Provider.

Contact Information 

Phone: (916) 907-0050  

Email: [email protected] 

This glossary is designed to help you understand common fertility terms and treatments. Every individual’s situation is unique, and we encourage you to discuss your specific circumstances with our fertility specialists.