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About Infertility Glossary
About Infertility Glossary
Glossary | |
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| Term | Definition |
| Papanicolaou Smear (Pap Smear) | A screening test to evaluate the cells of the cervix to determine whether they are normal or cancerous. The physician or nurse removes some cells from the cervical canal with a brush or spatula (usually a painless process, then smears them onto a glass plate). A pathologist examines the cells under a microscope. |
| Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) | Inflammatory disease of the pelvis, often caused by infection, which can lead to infertility. |
| Post-Coital Test (PCT) | Microscopic study of samples of vaginal and cervical secretions taken several hours after sexual relations and examined for live, moving sperm. Also known as the Sims-Huhner Test. |
| Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD) | The procedure used to detect genetic or chromosomal abnormalities on embryos created during an IVF cycle. This is a delicately precise micro-manipulative procedure, in which embryologists remove either necessary DNA from the egg shortly after fertilization (polar body biopsy) or a single cell from a three-day old embryo (embryo biopsy). Molecular biologists examine the polar body or embryo biopsy for specific genetic anomalies. This is appropriate if a woman is 35 years of age or older or if the couple carries a genetic abnormality which they do not want to risk transmitting to the fetus. |
| Premature Ovarian Failure (POF) | The occurrence of menopause before the age of 40. |
| Profasi | See Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG). |
| Progesterone | A hormone secreted by the corpus luteum of the ovary after ovulation has occurred. Also produced by the placenta during pregnancy. |
| Prolactin | A hormone produced by the pituitary. The level of prolactin in the blood can reveal hypothalamic-pituitary disorders that may hinder ovulation. |
