Glossaire

the belly i.e. the part of the body between the chest and the pelvis.

refers to a compound with a pH of less than 7. It is the opposite of "alkaline^?"; a common example of an acid is vinegar.

the perimeter of the adrenal gland^?. It is the part of the adrenal gland that secretes androgens.

an endocrine gland^? positioned above the kidneys. It secretes several stress response hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline.

refers to compounds with a pH of greater than 7. It is the opposite of "acidic^?"; a common example of an alkali is washing soda.

a small constituent of a protein.

a lubricative fluid secreted near the opening of the vagina^? as a response to sexual stimulation. It is produced by the Bartholin’s glands.

the lowest temperature the body reaches while resting. Particular patterns of BBT^? can indicate the fertile status of the woman and are therefore used to monitor fertility. BBT is reached after at least a couple of hours of deep sleep. Current methods of BBT measurement take the waking temperature as the best approximation, but this is quite inaccurate and makes the method difficult and inconvenient for many women. It does not predict ovulation^?, but confirms that it occurs.

a blood test used to detect the early stages of pregnancy. Two types of test are available: the quantitative hCG^? test counts the units of hCG in the bloodstream, and the qualitative (yes/no) test uses an arbitrary threshold. The qualitative test is the method used in “home pregnancy tests”.

a pattern with “two phases”. In the context of fertility, you will find it associated with the BBT^? pattern which coincides with the date of ovulation^?. This pattern consists of a phase of low temperature associated with the follicular phase^?, and a phase of high temperature associated with the luteal phase^?.

an embryo^? after five days of development. At this point, the embryo consists of two different types of cells as well as a central cavity. The cells at the surface (trophectoderm) will form the placenta^?, and the inner cells will become the foetus^?. By the end of the sixth day, the blastocyst^? should hatch from the zona pellucida and within 24 hours should be implanted into the lining of the uterus^? (endometrium^?).

the structures located in the lining of the cervix^? where sperm^? can be stored before ovulation^?.

a condition of the cervix^? which affects the membrane of the cervix lip. It can alter the secretions of cervical mucus^?.

the fluid produced by the lining of the cervix^? which changes in quality during the cycle. During the unfertile phase, the cervical mucus^? is viscous and forms a plug preventing the entry of sperm^? and bacteria to the uterus^?. During the fertile period, the cervical mucus becomes thinner, stringier and more abundant, allowing sperm to migrate towards the Fallopian tubes.

the opening between the uterus^? and the vagina^?. The position of the cervix^? changes during the cycle. It is closed, low and firm during the infertile phase, and becomes open, high and soft during the fertile phase. During pregnancy, the cervix remains closed and dilates during labour and delivery to allow the baby to pass through.

a lipid (fat) found in the membrane of all tissues, it is a combination of steroid and alcohol, and is therefore important for the synthesis of sex hormones.

The fertilisation^? of an egg^? by a sperm^? resulting in the formation of an embryo^?.

the gland^? producing progesterone^?. It is formed as the result of the changes occurring to the ovarian follicle^? following ovulation^?. The function of the corpus luteum^? is to secrete^? progesterone which is extremely important for conception^? as it prepares the lining of the uterus^? to receive the embryo^? (blastocyst^?). If the woman does not become pregnant, the corpus luteum degenerates within 12-16 days. If the woman does become pregnant, a “corpus luteum of pregnancy” is formed to maintain the endometrial lining and support the implanted embryo.

mutual relation of two or more things, parts, etc.

the day of a woman’s menstrual (or fertility) cycle. Day one refers to the first day of fresh blood flow (not spotting^?). Some experts recommend that if the flow occurs after mid-afternoon on that day you should count day one as being the following day. It is up to you how you decide to record it, as long as you are consistent.

no content

the number of days after ovulation^?, the first day being the day after ovulation. This is used to measure the length of the luteal phase^? and also to assess the possibility of conceiving.

a contraceptive method in the form of a latex or silicone cervical barrier.

the female reproductive cell.

a substance containing free ions, which makes it a conductor of electricity. For example, calcium and potassium are electrolytes that are found in the body.

the baby at the very early stages of development (from the fertilised egg^? until about the eighth week of development).

an organ producing hormones.

a system of endocrine glands (such as the hypothalamus^?, pituitary, thyroid, adrenals and testicles or ovaries).

the inner lining of the uterus^?. It grows cyclically and is shedded in response to stimulation by estrogens^? and progesterone^?. In the event of pregnancy, the endometrium^? is the structure that first supports the embryo^?.

a molecule that converts an initial product into a final product. In the context of fertility, an enzyme^? is secreted after the surge in LH^? in order to break open the ovarian follicle^? so it can release the egg^?. The enzyme does this by degrading the membrane of the follicle, thus creating a hole which allows the egg to be released.

the principal estrogen produced by the ovary^?. It is the hormone^? which stimulates the formation of female secondary sex characteristics^? (such as breasts) but is also involved in follicular growth and the development of the endometrium^? (uterine lining). The level of estradiol^? reaches a peak half-way through the cycle and triggers the release of large quantities of LH^? which leads to ovulation^?.

the group of female sex hormones. The principal estrogen involved in fertility is estradiol^?. Estrogens^? are secreted mainly by the ovaries, but they can also be produced by adipose tissue.

an estrogen (hormone^?) released by the ovary^?.

the tubes (ducts) through which eggs travel from the ovaries to the uterus^? once they are released. The Fallopian tubes are also usually where the egg is fertilised by the sperm^?.

the ability to become pregnant.

the result of the encounter of the sperm^? and the egg^? leading to the formation of an embryo^?. It can also be called fertilisation^?.

the female reproductive system^?. It consists of the vagina^?, the cervix^?, the uterus^?, the Fallopian tubes and the ovaries.

the type of cervical mucus^? that is most favourable for sperm survival^? and sperm^? migration towards the uterus^? and the Fallopian tubes. It is the most watery and stretchy type of mucus.

the time of the menstrual cycle^? that is favourable for conception^?. It usually begins a few days before ovulation^? and ends the day after ovulation.

the assembly of the genetic material (chromosomes) of the sperm^? and egg^? to create an embryo^?. It usually occurs in the outer end of the Fallopian tube^?.

a parameter^? which provides you with information about how fertile you are

the name of the unborn baby from the eighth week of pregnancy until birth.

a fluid-filled structure in the ovary^? containing the egg^?. Each cycle, an egg develops inside the ovary within a follicle^?. This follicle grows up to 2 cm in diameter until it is ready to release the egg.

a pituitary hormone^? stimulating follicular development and spermatogenesis. In the woman, FSH^? stimulates the growth of the ovarian follicle^?, while in the man, FSH stimulates the development of Sertoli cells^? (nurse cells) in the testes.

the pre-ovulatory phase of the menstrual cycle^?. During this phase, the ovarian follicles grow and rising levels of estrogens^? induce the proliferation^? of cells in the endometrium^? (lining of the uterus^?).

a structure formed in the ovarian follicle^?.

a secretory organ (or structure) which secretes hormones.

a test that allows scientific evidence to be evaluated.

the hormone^? controlling the production and release of gonadotrophins^?. It is secreted by the hypothalamus^? every 90 minutes.

the hormones which control the reproductive function, namely, follicle^? stimulating hormone (FSH^?) and lutenising hormone (LH^?).

the structure which makes reproductive cells and secretes the sex hormones. The female gonads^? are the ovaries which make the egg^? and estrogens^?; the male gonads are the testicles which make the sperm^? and testosterone.

a test a woman can use at home to test the level of hCG^? in her urine, which is indicative of pregnancy.

a sudden, brief increase in hormonal levels.

a chemical substance which is produced by an endocrine gland^? and is then released into the bloodstream.

a hormone^? which is secreted during the early stages of pregnancy, which keeps the corpus luteum^? producing progesterone^?.

the part of the brain which is involved in hormonal regulation. The hypothalamus^? is situated above the pituitary gland^?. Every 90 minutes it secretes GnRH^? in a pulsatile fashion. This stimulates the production of LH^? and FSH^? by the pituitary, which in turn stimulates the gonads^?.

another name for lutenising hormone^?. ICSH^? is a pituitary hormone which stimulates the gonads^?. In women, ICSH induces the production of estrogens^? by the ovaries and the high levels of ICSH mid-cycle trigger the release of enzymes allowing the egg^? to be released from the follicle^? (ovulation^?). In men, ICSH induces the production of testosterone and spermatogenesis.

no content

the “embedding” of the embryo^? in the uterine tissue, allowing it to establish contact with the mother's blood supply for nourishment. Implantation^? usually occurs 5 to 10 days after ovulation^?.

small amount of blood loss occurring around the time of implantation^? (5 to 10 days after ovulation^?). Most women do not experience this.

a condition where the body is invaded by a pathogen (bacteria, yeast, virus etc) which has a negative impact.

no content

a method of contraception placed in the uterus^?.

named after Dr. Arnold Kegel, it refers to exercise which targets the pelvic floor muscles. The exercises consist of continuously contracting and relaxing the pelvic muscles.

one of the testicular cells. The Leydig cells produce testosterone in response to LH^? (luteinising hormone^?).

sexual desire.

the time during which a living structure (such as a cell) stays alive.

the post-ovulatory phase of the menstrual cycle^?. During this phase, the corpus luteum^? produces progesterone^? and the endometrium^? (uterine lining) thickens to support the implantation^? and growth of the embryo^?.

a pituitary hormone^? stimulating the gonads^?. In women, LH^? induces the production of estrogens^? by the ovaries and the high levels of LH mid-cycle trigger the release of enzymes allowing the egg^? to be released from the follicle^? (ovulation^?). In men, LH induces the production of testosterone and spermatogenesis.

the very high levels of LH^? which are suddenly released by the pituitary mid-cycle. The LH surge^? stimulates the production of enzymes to form the ovarian follicle^?. It is this sudden increase in LH that some ovulation^? detection kits are detecting when they predict that ovulation will occur in the next 24 to 36 hours.

the organ in the breast that produces milk.

the final stage of development of the male gamete. It is then fit to fertilise (penetrate) an egg^?.

the time between the first day of menstruation^? to the day before the next period (menstruation). During each menstrual cycle^?, an egg^? (oocyte^? or ovum^?) is usually released.

the cyclical shedding of the endometrium^? (uterus^? lining) which occurs about two weeks after ovulation^?.

the German word for “ovulation pain”. It refers to the discomfort felt in the lower abdomen^? at the time of ovulation. This pain can be felt on one or both sides of the lower abdomen.

a type of secretion from a gland^?. In the context of fertility, it refers to secretions by the crypts of the cervix^?. As the quality of the cervical mucus^? changes according to the level of estrogens^? in the blood, it can be used as a fertility clue^? to assess the fertile period of the menstrual cycle^?.

refers to errors of measurement which are caused by external factors that are not related to the parameter^? of interest.

the female reproductive cell.

the female gonad. The ovaries produce hormones and eggs.

the release of the egg^? (ovum^?, oocyte^?) from the ovarian follicle^?. This occurs between the follicular and the luteal phases of the menstrual cycle^?.

also called oocyte^? or egg^?. It is the female reproductive cell and is released from the ovary^?. It contains 23 chromosomes carrying genetic information from the female.

a physical examination in which the practitioner feels an organ in order to determine characteristics such as size, shape and firmness.

a measurable factor, such as temperature, that defines a system and determines its behaviour

the day of ovulation^?, when the woman is most fertile.

a technology that allows the visualisation of the internal pelvic structures. It uses high-frequency sound waves.

a gland^? situated at the base of the brain near the hypothalamus^?. The pituitary secretes several hormones including gonadotrophins^? (LH^? and FSH^?) in response to the hormonal stimulation of the hypothalamus (GnRH^?).

the embryonic tissue that is implanted in the uterine wall and connects the mother and baby. It provides the baby with nutrients and oxygen in exchange for carbon dioxide and waste products.

the hormone^? produced by the corpus luteum^? after ovulation^? and during pregnancy. It has a role in stopping further follicle^? development and in the thickening of the endometrium^? (uterus^? lining). It is secreted in a palatial pulsatile fashion.

the multiplication of cells. It is also referred to as “cell growth”.

no content

a system of organs which work together for the purpose of reproduction.

the physical changes that occur during and after puberty. They are the physical signifiers that distinguish men and women. These characteristics include facial hair, a deep voice and large breasts. Secondary sex characteristics^? are triggered by the release of sexual hormones (estrogens^? for women and testosterone for men).

the release of chemicals/substances from a cell.

a testicular cell type known as the “nurse cells” as they provide the maturing sperm^? cells with nutrients and hormonal support. They respond to FSH^? and secrete^? several hormones (such as inhibins).

an illness that is transmitted by sexual contact. It is also referred to as venereal disease^?.

the male reproductive cell. It has 23 chromosomes which contain male genetic information.

the ability of the sperm^? to penetrate the egg^? for fertilisation^?.

refers to the ability of the sperm^? to penetrate the egg^? and is sometimes tested during semen analysis.

the lifespan^? of the sperm^?. This is subject to several factors, such as the vaginal environment^? and the fitness of the sperm.

light vaginal bleeding.

a key on the reader device that is used to enter personal parameters that are not predefined. For example, you can enter in your mood, your libido^?, or your hormonal urine test kit results. These parameters will be used for the statistical analysis of your fertility.

a sexually transmitted disease^? which is also called venereal disease^?.

a physical condition indicating the presence of an illness or disorder.

in three phases. In the context of fertility, it is used to describe the BBT^? chart with 3 levels of temperatures. The final increase in temperature is sometimes associated with pregnancy as it corresponds to the implantation^? of the egg^?.

the membrane lining the surface of the uterus^?. This membrane is covered by a thick layer of mucus^? which protects it.

the organ that will hold the developing baby. It is connected to the outside of the body by the vagina^? and cervix^?, and is also connected to the ovaries by the Fallopian tubes.

the tubular tract which connects the uterus^? to the outside of the body.

the surrounding conditions in the vagina^?.

the growth of blood vessels in a tissue. This improves the nourisment of the tissues by increasing the supply of nutrients and oxygen.

the reduction of the calibre of the blood vessels which reduces the amount of blood flowing to a particular area of the body.

a sexually transmitted disease^? i.e. an illness that is transmitted by sexual contact.