- Idiopathic (unknown or unexplained):
- The term used when no reason can be found to explain the cause of a medical condition.
- Immunological response:
- The production of antibodies in the woman or man.
- Implantation:
- The embedding of the fertilized egg in the endometrium of the uterus.
- Impotence:
- The inability of the male to achieve or maintain an erection for intercourse due to physical or emotional problems.
- Incompetent cervix:
- A weakened cervix that is incapable of holding the fetus within the uterus for the full nine months. Can be a cause of late miscarriage.
- Infertility:
- The inability of a couple to achieve a pregnancy after one year of regular unprotected sexual intercourse, or the inability of the woman to carry a pregnancy to live birth.
- Interstitial cells:
- The cells between the seminiferous tubules of the testicles that produce the male hormone testosterone. Also called Leydig cells.
- In vitro (literally, in glass) fertilization (IVF):
- A procedure in which a egg is removed from a ripe follicle and fertilized by a sperm cell outside the human body. Also called "test tube baby" and "test tube fertilization."
- In vivo fertilization:
- The fertilization of an egg by a sperm within the woman's body.
- Kallman's syndrome:
- Hypogonadism with anosmia (loss of the sense of smell). Uncommon cause of male infertility.
- Karyotype:
- A study of the chromosomes of the tissue. Used for genetic studies.
- Klinefelter's syndrome:
- A congenital abnormality of the male wherein he receives an XXY chromosomal complement instead of XY. These men are infertile.
- Labia:
- Folds of skin on either side of the entrance of the vagina.
- Laparoscopy:
- The direct visualization of the ovaries and the exterior of the fallopian tubes and uterus by means of inserting a surgical telescope through a small incision below the naval.
- Laparotomy:
- Abdominal surgery.
- Leydig Cells:
- See interstitial cells.
- LHRH:
- Luteinizing hormone releasing hormone (see GnRH).
- Libido:
- Sexual desire.
- Luteal Phase:
- The days of the menstrual cycle following ovulation and ending with menses during which progesterone is produced by the corpus luteum.
- Luteal phase defect:
- A shortened luteal phase or one with inadequate progesterone production.
- Luteinized unruptured follicle syndrome (LUF):
- A condition in which the egg is not released during ovulation; the follicle does not rupture and the egg is trapped.
- Luteinizing hormone (LH):
- A hormone secreted by the pituitary gland. Secretion of LH increases in the middle of the cycle to induce release of the egg.
- Menarche:
- The onset of menstruation in girls.
- Menopause:
- The cessation of menstruation due to aging or failure of the ovaries. Most commonly occurs between the ages of 40 and 50.
- Menotropins (human menopausal gonadotropin or HMG):
- Injections which containing FSH and LH. They are produced by extraction from the urine of menopausal women.
- Menstruation:
- The shedding of the uterine lining by cyclic bleeding that normally occurs about once a month in the mature female.
- Miscarriage:
- A spontaneous abortion of a fetus up to the age of viability.
- Mittelschmerz:
- German for "middle pain," referring to the pain during ovulation that some women experience.
- Morphology of sperm:
- The study of the shape of sperm cells. This evaluation is part of a semen analysis.
- Motility of sperm:
- The ability of the sperm to move about.
- Mumps orchitis:
- Inflammation of the testicle caused by mumps virus. Can lead to sterility if infection with the virus occurs after puberty.
- Myomectomy:
- Surgical removal of a fibroid tumor (myoma) in the uterine muscular wall.
© Dr. Aniruddha Malpani and Dr. Anjali Malpani www.drmalpani.com
Credits: How to Have a Baby: Overcoming Infertility
