MENSTRUAL CYCLE GLOSSARY

HRT

Hormone Replacement Therapy - a combination of estrogen and progestogen therapy to help manage menopausal symptoms.

Human Papillomavirus

Human Papillomavirus (HPV) refers to an entire group of over 100 different but related strains of virus, many of which are sexually transmittable. Infection can occur in any tissues of the genital area, mouth, or throat.

Most of the time there are no symptoms; sometimes small warts can be visible, as late as weeks or months following initial contact, and can be removed with medication.

Some HPV strains can cause cervical cancer and other kinds of more rare cancers of the genital and head/neck region. There are two vaccines against most strains of HPV: Cervarix and Gardasil. It is not always possible to tell if a sex partner has Human Papillomavirus and condoms are not fully protective.

Hysterectomy

Major surgical procedure to remove the uterus, either in part or entirely. In some cases, the fallopian tubes and ovaries are also removed. Removal of ovaries (oopherectomy) will result in immediate menopause.

There are several ways of performing a hysterectomy, including through a large (approximately 5-inch) incision in the abdominal wall, an incision through the vaginal wall, or laparoscopically.

Hysteroscopy

An endoscopic examination of the interior of the uterus. A hysteroscope is a very thin telescopic device that is inserted into the uterus. It allows a more complete inspection of the lining of the uterus and any abnormalities occurring inside the uterus, such as fibroid growths and polyps. Tissue may also be biopsied (a small sample taken for later microscopic examination and testing) through a hysteroscope.

In Vitro Fertilization

In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) refers to a series of medical techniques with the purpose of creating an embryo outside of the female patient's body and then transferring the embryo to her uterus. In vitro literally means 'in glass', referring to the fact that egg and sperm cells are combined in a petri dish.

IVF was initially created to treat infertility from fallopian tube blockages. It has become an effective work-around (although one of the costliest and most complex) for many forms of female and male infertility.

Infertility

The inability to conceive and/or carry to term a pregnancy. On an imagined spectrum ranging from completely sterile (complete absence of physiological reproductive capacity) to unusually fertile (e.g. a woman who conceives more often than an average woman, that being around 20 to 30 percent chance in each ovulatory cycle), most people will experience varying degrees of fertility throughout a typical lifespan.

Levels of fertility -- that is, a body's ability to reproduce -- are impacted by many different factors, related primarily to overall health, physical conditions, and lifestyle choices. To simplify diagnosis, a time-based point of view may provide guidance in deciding whether or not to seek fertility treatment. The current perspective, as stated by the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, defines infertility as failure to achieve pregnancy after 12 months of more of regular, unprotected intercourse. Fertility experts also recommend that women older than 35 years should consider seeking treatment after only six months of unprotected intercourse, because chances for successful treatment diminish significantly with passing time.

Intracervical Insemination

A form of artificial insemination. Sperm is deposited very near the cervix through a catheter threaded through the cervix. The patient may then be asked to wear a sponge covering her cervix for up to eight hours following insemination.

Intrauterine Insemination

A form of artificial insemination. In the Intrauterine Insemination (IUI) procedure, sperm is deposited into the uterus via a thin catheter threaded through the vagina and cervix.

While IUI can assist with treating some forms of infertility, it is not helpful in cases where the woman's fallopian tubes are scarred or otherwise less than optimal. IUI is often one of the first treatments attempted by patients with fertility problems, as it is less expensive per procedure than In Vitro Fertilization and less complicated.

Luteal Phase

The third phase of the menstrual cycle. Ovulation has occurred, and the corpus luteum produces progesterone primarily to maintain the thickness of the endometrium lining in the uterus in the event that fertilization has occurred. If fertilization has not occurred, progesterone production stops and the endometrium lining is shed during menstruation.

Luteal Phase Defect

Luteal phase refers to the time of a woman's cycle between ovulation and (next) menstruation. In cases where a woman's luteal phase is shorter than normal (i.e. is defective), conceptions may not implant adequately enough to result in pregnancy. The impact of luteal phase defect is debated by some fertility specialists.

Luteinizing Hormone (LH)

Hormone released by the pituitary gland in the brain that triggers the onset of ovulation and prepares the uterus for implantation of a fertilized egg.