Glossary
Fertility terms explained
Plain language for complex clinical concepts.
Adenomyosis
Presence of endometrial tissue (glands and stroma) in the myometrium (uterine muscle), causing dysmenorrhoea, metrorrhagia and infertility.
Amenorrhoea
Absence of menstruation — primary (never menstruated by age 16) or secondary (cessation for >3-6 months in a previously menstruating woman).
AMH (Anti-Müllerian Hormone)
Blood marker of ovarian reserve reflecting the pool of available antral follicles.
Aneuploidy
Alteration in chromosome number in a cell (not a multiple of the haploid set), causing developmental abnormalities or pregnancy loss.
Anovulation
Absence of ovulation in a menstrual cycle, preventing natural fertilisation.
Antral follicle
Ovarian follicle visible on ultrasound (2-10 mm) — basis of AFC for ovarian reserve.
Assisted hatching
Laboratory technique that creates an opening in the embryo's zona pellucida to facilitate implantation.
Azoospermia
Complete absence of spermatozoa in the ejaculate, confirmed on two semen analyses after centrifugation.
Beta-hCG — definição médica
Hormona da gravidez.
Beta-hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin, beta subunit)
Hormone produced by the trophoblast whose serum measurement confirms and monitors early pregnancy.
Blastocyst
Day-5/6 embryo stage with an inner cavity — preferred moment for transfer or biopsy.
Chronic endometritis
Persistent endometrial inflammation, often asymptomatic, associated with implantation failure and recurrent miscarriage.
Clomiphene (Clomiphene citrate)
Selective oestrogen receptor modulator used to induce ovulation in women with anovulation.
CNPMA — definição médica
Conselho Nacional de Procriação Medicamente Assistida — regulador português da fertilidade.
Coasting: Pausa na Estimulação Ovárica
Estratégia clínica para prevenir a Síndrome de Hiperestimulação Ovárica (SHO) em tratamentos de PMA.
Complexo Cumulus-Ovócito (COC): Definição e Função
O Complexo Cumulus-Ovócito (COC) é a unidade funcional aspirada na PMA, essencial para a maturação e fertilização do óvulo.
Controlled ovarian stimulation
Administration of gonadotropins to induce simultaneous development of multiple follicles.
Corpus luteum
Endocrine structure formed in the ovary after ovulation, producing progesterone to sustain the luteal phase and implantation.
Cryopreservation
Storage of gametes, embryos or reproductive tissue at ultra-low temperatures in liquid nitrogen.
Diminished ovarian reserve (DOR)
Quantitative reduction of follicular stock below expected for age, without complete cessation of ovarian function.
Doação anónima — definição médica
Identidade do dador não revelada à receptora.
Egg donation
ART treatment using oocytes from an anonymous donor.
Egg retrieval (follicular puncture)
Ultrasound-guided procedure to collect oocytes under sedation.
Embryo biopsy
Removal of trophectoderm cells for preimplantation genetic testing.
Embryo implantation
Process by which the blastocyst attaches to and invades the endometrium, initiating pregnancy.
Embryo transfer
Procedure to place the embryo in the uterine cavity via the vagina.
EmbryoScope: Incubador com Monitorização Contínua
O EmbryoScope é um incubador avançado com tecnologia time-lapse para monitorização contínua do desenvolvimento embrionário.
Endometrial polyp
Benign focal proliferation of the endometrium forming a pedunculated or sessile mass in the uterine cavity.
Endometriosis
Presence of endometrial-like tissue outside the uterus, a frequent cause of infertility.
Endometriotic cyst (endometrioma)
Ovarian cyst resulting from ectopic endometrial tissue implantation in the ovary, containing degraded blood ('chocolate blood').
Endometrium
Inner lining of the uterus — thickness and pattern condition implantation success.
ERA — endometrial receptivity analysis
Molecular endometrial analysis to determine the personalised optimal implantation window.
ERA Test — definição médica
Teste de receptividade endometrial.
eSET — elective single embryo transfer
Strategy of transferring only one embryo per cycle to avoid multiple pregnancy.
Estradiol (E2)
Principal circulating oestrogen, a key marker of follicular activity during ovarian stimulation.
Estradiol (E2)
Main estrogen produced by growing ovarian follicles.
Fallopian tubes (uterine tubes)
Muscular tubes that transport the oocyte from the ovary to the uterus, where fertilisation can occur.
Fragmentação do DNA espermático: O que é?
Avaliação da integridade do material genético dos espermatozoides e sua relevância na infertilidade masculina.
FSH (Follicle-stimulating hormone)
Pituitary hormone that stimulates ovarian follicular growth.
GnRH — definição médica
Hormona libertadora de gonadotrofinas.
GnRH agonist
GnRH analogue used to suppress or trigger ovulation in ART protocols.
GnRH antagonist
Molecule that directly blocks the pituitary GnRH receptor, preventing premature LH surges during ovarian stimulation.
hCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin)
Hormone produced by trophoblast after implantation, used as pregnancy marker and ovulation trigger in IVF.
Histerossalpingografia (HSG): O que é?
Exame radiológico para avaliar útero e trompas, essencial no diagnóstico de infertilidade.
Hydrosalpinx
Pathological dilation of the fallopian tube by fluid accumulation, with negative impact on implantation.
Hyperprolactinaemia
Elevation of serum prolactin levels that suppresses the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis, causing anovulation.
Hyperthyroidism
Excessive thyroid gland function, which can cause anovulation, infertility and pregnancy risks.
Hypothyroidism
Decreased thyroid gland function, which can cause anovulation, infertility and pregnancy complications.
Hysterosalpingography
Radiological exam assessing tubal patency and uterine cavity.
Hysteroscopy
Endoscopy of the uterine cavity for diagnosis and treatment of polyps, submucosal fibroids and adhesions.
Hysteroscopy
Endoscopic exam that directly visualises the uterine cavity.
ICSI (Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection)
Micromanipulation technique where a single spermatozoon is injected directly into the oocyte.
ICSI (microinjeção) — definição médica
Injeção direta de um espermatozoide no óvulo, usada em fator masculino.
IMSI
Intracytoplasmic morphologically selected sperm injection.
Inseminação Artificial com Dador (IAD)
A IAD é uma técnica de PMA que utiliza sémen de dador para facilitar a gravidez. Saiba mais sobre o procedimento e indicações.
IUI (Intrauterine Insemination)
Procedure where processed spermatozoa are deposited directly into the uterine cavity during the fertile window.
IVF (In Vitro Fertilisation)
ART technique where oocytes are retrieved, fertilised in the laboratory and embryos transferred to the uterus.
Janela de Implantação: O Período Chave para a Gravidez
Compreenda a janela de implantação, o período crítico em que o endométrio está recetivo à fixação do embrião, essencial na PMA.
Law 32/2006 (ART)
Portuguese law regulating Assisted Reproductive Technology.
Letrozole
Aromatase inhibitor used for ovulation induction, particularly in women with PCOS.
LH — definição médica
Hormona luteinizante.
LH (Luteinizing Hormone)
Pituitary gonadotropin that triggers ovulation and maintains the corpus luteum.
Luteal support
Progesterone administration after retrieval to maintain endometrial receptivity.
Male factor infertility
Contribution of sperm quality or quantity to a couple's difficulty conceiving.
Menstrual cycle
Female physiological cycle of approximately 28 days, divided into follicular phase, ovulation and luteal phase.
Metformin
Oral biguanide that improves insulin sensitivity, induces ovulation in PCOS and reduces metabolic complications.
Mosaicismo Embrionário: Definição e Implicações
Compreenda o mosaicismo embrionário, a presença de células geneticamente distintas num embrião e o seu impacto na seleção para transferência.
Multiple pregnancy (twin, triplet)
Pregnancy with two or more fetuses, common and avoidable ART complication with increased perinatal risk.
Oncofertility preservation
Set of techniques to protect fertility before potentially gonadotoxic cancer treatments.
Oócito — definição médica
Óvulo imaturo ou maduro.
Ovarian cyst
Fluid-filled or solid formation in the ovary, usually benign, which may be physiological or pathological.
Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS)
Iatrogenic complication of ovarian stimulation with oedema, ascites and haemoconcentration.
Ovarian reserve
Estimated capacity of the ovary to provide viable oocytes for fertilisation.
Ovulation
Release of a mature oocyte from the ovary, typically mid-cycle.
PGT-A
Preimplantation genetic testing for chromosomal aneuploidies.
PGT-M (preimplantation genetic testing for monogenic disorders)
Genetic testing of embryos to identify inherited single-gene disorders before transfer.
PICSI: Injeção Intracitoplasmática de Espermatozoides Selecionados
PICSI é uma técnica de laboratório que refina a ICSI, utilizando ácido hialurónico para selecionar espermatozoides maduros.
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
Common endocrine disorder with anovulation, hyperandrogenism and polycystic ovarian morphology.
Pregnancy loss (miscarriage)
Unintentional pregnancy termination before 20-24 weeks, most commonly in the first trimester.
Premature ovarian insufficiency (POI)
Cessation of ovarian function before age 40, resulting in amenorrhoea and infertility.
Progesterone
Hormone produced by the corpus luteum, essential for endometrial receptivity and early pregnancy.
Prolactin (PRL)
Pituitary hormone — when elevated, can suppress ovulation and cause infertility.
Punção Folicular: O Que É e Como Funciona
Procedimento essencial na PMA para recolha de óvulos, realizado sob sedação para garantir o conforto da paciente.
Punção Ovárica: Recolha de Óvulos para Fertilidade
Procedimento de recolha de ovócitos para tratamentos de PMA, realizado sob sedação. Saiba mais sobre a punção folicular.
Recurrent miscarriage
Two or more consecutive pregnancy losses requiring specialised investigation.
ROPA: Receção de Óvulos da Parceira
O método ROPA permite a maternidade partilhada para casais de mulheres, combinando o vínculo genético e gestacional.
Semen analysis
Laboratory analysis of semen following WHO criteria — first male test in infertility workup.
Semen analysis
Laboratory semen analysis per WHO criteria.
Síndrome de Hiperestimulação Ovárica (SHO)
Resposta excessiva a medicamentos de fertilidade, com risco de complicações.
Social fertility preservation (social freezing)
Elective oocyte vitrification for non-medical reasons, to preserve future fertility.
Sperm DNA fragmentation
Assessment of sperm DNA integrity, linked to reproductive failure.
Sperm donation
Use of donor sperm in IUI or IVF for couples or women without a male partner.
Sperm morphology
Share of sperm with normal shape per strict Kruger criteria.
Teratozoospermia: Definição e Implicações
Compreenda a teratozoospermia, a presença de espermatozoides com morfologia anómala e o seu impacto na fertilidade masculina.
TESE / micro-TESE
Surgical sperm extraction from testicular tissue in azoospermia.
Teste ERA: Análise de Recetividade Endometrial
O Teste ERA é um diagnóstico molecular que avalia a recetividade do endométrio para otimizar a implantação embrionária em tratamentos de PMA.
Teste Genético Pré-implantação (PGT)
Análise genética de embriões antes da transferência uterina em tratamentos de PMA.
Testosterone
Androgenic steroid hormone crucial for male reproductive function and, to a lesser extent, female ovarian health.
Trigger (final oocyte maturation)
Final injection that matures oocytes before egg retrieval.
TSH and thyroid function in fertility
Thyroid-stimulating hormone influences ovulation, implantation and pregnancy outcomes.
Tubal obstruction
Partial or total blockage of the fallopian tubes, preventing the oocyte and sperm from meeting.
Unexplained infertility
Diagnosis given when all routine couple investigations are normal and no apparent cause is identified.
Uterine fibroids
Benign uterine smooth-muscle tumours — fertility impact depends on location and size.
Varicocele
Varicose dilation of pampiniform plexus testicular veins, common cause of male infertility.
Vitrification
Ultra-rapid cryopreservation technique that avoids ice crystal formation.