🩺 Diagnostic Terms
Diagnostic terms describe the tools, signs, and methods used to identify the fertile window and track ovulation. These at-home and clinical monitoring techniques form the first line of fertility awareness for couples trying to conceive.
📌 Start Here — Key Diagnostic Terms
Ovulation Predictor Kit (OPK)
An ovulation predictor kit (OPK) is a home urine test that detects the LH surge preceding ovulation,…
Basal Body Temperature (BBT)
Basal body temperature (BBT) is the lowest resting body temperature of an individual, measured immed…
Egg White Cervical Mucus (EWCM)
Egg white cervical mucus (EWCM) is a specific type of cervical secretion that appears in the days le…
All Diagnostic Terms (31)
Basal Body Temperature (BBT)
Basal body temperature (BBT) is the lowest resting body temperature of an individual, measured immed…
Egg White Cervical Mucus (EWCM)
Egg white cervical mucus (EWCM) is a specific type of cervical secretion that appears in the days le…
Ovulation Predictor Kit (OPK)
An ovulation predictor kit (OPK) is a home urine test that detects the LH surge preceding ovulation,…
Sperm Count
Sperm count is the total number of sperm present in a complete ejaculate sample. It is calculated by…
Sperm Concentration
Sperm concentration is the number of sperm per millilitre of semen. WHO 2021 lower reference limit: …
Motility
Sperm motility is the ability of sperm to move effectively. WHO 2021 reference: total motility ≥42%;…
Progressive Motility
Progressive motility refers to forward-moving sperm — those swimming in a straight line or large cur…
Morphology
Sperm morphology is the assessment of sperm shape and structural appearance — evaluating the head, m…
Kruger Strict Morphology
Kruger strict morphology is a rigorous laboratory method for assessing sperm shape, in which sperm a…
Total Motile Sperm Count
Total motile sperm count (TMSC) is the total number of progressively moving sperm in an entire ejacu…
Ejaculate Volume
Ejaculate volume is the total measured volume of semen produced in a single ejaculation. WHO 2021 re…
Sperm Vitality
Sperm vitality (or viability) is a measure of the proportion of live sperm in a semen sample, regard…
DNA Fragmentation
DNA fragmentation refers to single or double-strand breaks in the sperm DNA helix. It is measured as…
DFI (DNA Fragmentation Index)
DFI (DNA Fragmentation Index) is a quantitative metric of sperm DNA damage, expressed as a percentag…
Day 3 FSH
Day 3 FSH is a blood test measuring follicle-stimulating hormone on the second or third day of the m…
Estradiol (E2)
Estradiol (E2) is the primary biologically active form of estrogen measured in fertility care. It is…
Serum Progesterone
Serum progesterone is a blood test measuring circulating progesterone levels. In fertility assessmen…
Prolactin
Prolactin is a pituitary hormone primarily responsible for milk production after childbirth. When el…
TSH (Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone)
TSH (thyroid-stimulating hormone) is secreted by the pituitary gland and regulates thyroid hormone p…
Thyroid Function Tests
Thyroid function tests are a panel of blood tests assessing thyroid health — primarily TSH, and if i…
Testosterone
Testosterone is an androgen hormone measured in fertility evaluations for both sexes. In women, elev…
DHEAS (Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate)
DHEAS (dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate) is an androgen produced primarily by the adrenal glands. It i…
SHBG (Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin)
SHBG (sex hormone-binding globulin) is a protein produced by the liver that binds to sex hormones — …
Baseline Ultrasound
A baseline ultrasound is a transvaginal pelvic ultrasound performed early in the menstrual cycle (ty…
Pelvic Ultrasound
A pelvic ultrasound is an imaging examination of the female reproductive organs — uterus, ovaries, a…
Transvaginal Ultrasound (TVS)
Transvaginal ultrasound (TVS) is an ultrasound examination performed by inserting a thin probe into …
Follicle Monitoring
Follicle monitoring is serial transvaginal ultrasound performed across a natural or stimulated cycle…
Tubal Patency
Tubal patency refers to whether the fallopian tubes are open (patent) and functionally capable of tr…
Saline Sonogram (SIS)
A saline sonogram (saline infusion sonography, SIS) is a minimally invasive ultrasound procedure in …
SIS (Saline Infusion Sonography)
SIS stands for saline infusion sonography — the formal medical abbreviation for a saline sonogram. I…
Hysteroscopy
Hysteroscopy is a procedure in which a thin, lighted camera (hysteroscope) is passed through the cer…