The world of fertility and infertility can be a daunting place. With so much new information to take in, communities and forums to join it can become overwhelming and then on top of that there's so many abbreviations its like learning a new language. So here's a list to help you understand the most common acronyms:
2WW: Two week wait (before testing or waiting for your period)
AF: Aunt Flo, your period.
AI: Artificial Insemination.
AO: Anovulation. No ovulation detected.
ART: Assisted Reproductive Technology.
BBT: Basal Body Temperature. The method of using a thermometer to track your cycles and ovulation.
BCP: Birth Control Pills. Oral contraception
BD: Baby Dance. Having intercourse to conceive.
BF: Breastfeeding.
BFN: Big Fat Negative (pregnancy test)
BFP: Big Fat Positive (pregnancy test)
CD: Cycle Day
CL: Coverline. Used in BBT cycle monitoring
CM: Cervical mucous, also known as cervical fluid, cervical secretions or female discharge. It is fluid produced by your cervix as you approach ovulation due to increased oestrogen levels.
CP: Cervical Position
D&C: Dilation and Currettage. A medical procedure to remove tissue (miscarriage) from inside the uterus.
DE: Donor Eggs.
DH, DD, DS: Dear Husband, Dear Daughter, Dear Son
DI: Donor Insemination.
DOR: Diminished Ovarian Reserve.
DPO: Days Past Ovulation
EDD: Estimated Due Date
ENDO: Endometriosis
EPO: Evening Primrose Oil
ET: Embryo Transfer
EWCM: Eggwhite cervical mucous. The cervical mucous that occurs at peak fertile time.
FM: Fertility Monitor.
FSH: Follicle Stimulating Hormone
GnRH: Gonadotropin-releasing hormone
GP: General practitioner (doctor)
HPT: Home pregnancy test. Measures levels of the hormone hcG which are produced in pregnancy.
HCG: Human Chorionic Gonadotropin. Hormone detected by pregnancy tests
HSC: Hysteroscopy. A procedure to examine the inside of the uterus.
HSG: Hystrosalpingogram. A procedure to examine the patency of the fallopian tubes.
IF: Infertility
IR: Insulin Resistance
IUI: Intra-uterine insemination
IVF: In-vitro fertilization
LAP: Laparoscopy. A medical procedure to internally examine the abdomen and pelvis.
LH: Luteinizing Hormone
LMP: The first day of your last period.
LUFS: Luteinized Unruptured Follicle Syndrome
LP: Luteal Phase
LPD: Luteal Phase Defect
M/C: Miscarriage
NHS: National Health Service
O: Ovulation
OB: Obstetrician, also known as OBGYN, Obstetric Gynaecologist.
OC: Oral contraceptives.
OHSS: Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome
OPK: Ovulation Prediction Kit or Ovulation tests . OPKs measure luteinizing hormone but are not always reliable in women with PCOS.
PCOS: Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome.
PCO: As above but without the syndrome.
PID: Pelvic inflammatory Disease.
POAS: Pee on a stick.
POC: Products of conception. A medical term for the tissue passed or medically removed following a miscarriage.
POF: Premature Ovarian Failure
RE: Reproductive Endocrinologist- Fertility Specialist
SA: Semen Analysis. Sperm test.
SI: Secondary Infertility. Problems conceiving after a woman has successfully carried a pregnancy to term previously.
STI: Sexually Transmitted Infection.
TSH: Thyroid Stimulating Hormone
TTC: Trying to conceive.
UTI: Urinary Tract Infection
V: Vasectomy.
VR: Vasectomy reversal