Infertility Abbreviations & Acronyms

By Kelly Park
Published: October 5, 2017 | Last updated: November 20, 2019
Key Takeaways

Whether it’s medical abbreviations or message board lingo, if you are experiencing infertility there is a whole new language to learn.

If you've ever visited a fertility-related message board and wondered what a particular acronym stands for, you're not alone! Online infertility and trying to conceive (TTC) culture has developed a lingo of its own. On top of this, there are medical abbreviations that you are going to want to know too.

There are a lot of acronyms and abbreviations out there, so we have compiled a list of the most common infertility-related terms that you might want to know. If you are new to the TTC community or have recently decided that IVF is right for you, keep in mind that most people needed to look up these terms up at one point.

Acronym Fertility-Related Term
2WW Two-week wait
AF Aunt Flo
AFC Antral follicle count
AI Artificial insemination
AMA Advanced maternal age
AMH Anti-mullerian hormone
ART Assisted reproductive technology
BBT Basal body temperature
BD Baby dance
Beta Beta hCG test
BFP Big fat negative
BFP Big fat positive
CCS Comprehensive chromosomal screening
CD Cycle day
CM Cervical mucus
D&C Dilation & curettage
D&E Dilation & evacuation
DE Donor eggs
DP3DT Days post 3-day transfer
DP5DT Days post 5-day transfer
DPO Days post ovulation
DPR Days post-retrieval
DPT Days post-transfer
Embaby Embryo
ET Embryo transfer
FET Frozen embryo transfer
FSH Follicle-stimulating hormone
FTTA Fertile thoughts to all
GnRH Gonadotrophin-releasing hormone
hCG Human chorionic gonadotropin
HPT Home pregnancy test
HSG Hysterosalpingogram
ICSI Intracytoplasmic sperm injection
IUI Intrauterine insemination
IVF In vitro fertilization
LH Luteinizing hormone
LMP Last menstrual period
MTFHR Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase
NK Natural killer cells
OAT Oligoasthenoteratozoospermia
OHSS

Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS)

OPK Ovulation predictor kit
PGD Preimplantation genetic diagnosis
PGS Preimplantation genetic screening
PIO Progesterone in oil
POAS Pee on a stick
POF Premature ovarian failure
PUPO Pregnant until proven otherwise
RE Reproductive endocrinologist
RPL Recurrent pregnancy loss
SCH Subchorionic hemorrhage
SET Single embryo transfer
TTC Trying to conceive
TVUS Transvaginal ultrasound

There seem to be two mindsets when it comes to infertility abbreviations or slang terms. Some people like fertility abbreviations because they make a very personal, heavy topic a touch easier to discuss. For some, it is just easier to say BD (baby dance) or AF (Aunt Flo). Others feel that sticking to the medical terminology is the best way to handle a medical condition and prefer using the actual terms: sex and menstrual period. Whatever your personal preference, feeling out-of-the-loop certainly isn't necessary.

On top of forum-lingo, there is often medical information that is relevant to these online conversations, making acronyms really convenient – especially if you are typing on a hand-held device. Typing out works like ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome or intracytoplasmic sperm injection just isn't practical. Embracing medical acronyms can also be useful as they are likely to be used during your consultations with medical professionals.

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Written by Kelly Park | Contributor

Kelly Park

Kelly Park is the founder and editor-in-chief of FertilitySmarts. She is passionate about fertility education and shining light on the many ways people can become parents. Kelly holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in English Literature and a Master of Education degree in Educational Policy from the University of Alberta. She is a firm believer in the FertilitySmarts mission to help people get smart about their fertility.

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