|
Terminology |
Explanation |
| Fallopian
tubes |
Ducts
through which eggs travel to the uterus once released from
the follicle. Sperm normally meet the egg in the fallopian
tube, the site at which fertilisation usually occurs |
| Family
planning |
Methods
used by sexually active couples to prevent, space or achieve
pregnancy in order to attain the desired family size |
| Ferning or
the Fern test |
The
characteristic ferning pattern shown by highly oestrogenised
fertile mucus (including saliva) when dried on a glass
slide. |
| Fertile
phase |
The days
of the menstrual cycle during which sexual intercourse may
result in pregnancy |
|
Fertilisation |
The
combining of the genetic material carried by sperm and egg
to create an embryo. Normally occurs inside the fallopian
tube (in vivo) but may also occur in a Petri dish (in vitro) |
| Fertility |
The
ability to reproduce |
| Fertility
cycle |
The
fertility cycle can be divided into two phases: . the phase
before ovulation, the pre-ovulatory or follicular phase; and
the phase after ovulation, the post-ovulatory or luteal
phase. |
| Fertility
specialist |
A
physician specializing in the practice of fertility |
| Fertility
treatment |
Any method
or procedure used to enhance fertility or increase the
likelihood of pregnancy, such as ovulation induction
treatment, varicocele repair (repair of varicose veins in
the scrotal sac), and microsurgery to repair damaged
fallopian tubes. The goal of fertility treatment is to help
couples have a child. |
| Fetus |
see
foetus. |
| Fibroid
tumor |
A ball of
fibrous muscular tissue which may grow in the muscular wall
of the uterus. This can cause pain and excessive menstrual
bleeding and result in impaired fertility |
| Foetal
reduction |
See
selective reduction |
| Foetus |
The term
used for an embryo after the eighth week of development
until birth |
| Follicle
Stimulating Hormone (FSH) |
Hormone
produced by the pituitary gland which stimulates the
production of follicles by the ovary. Used in assisted
conception to stimulate the production of more than one
follicle (ovulation induction). |
| Follicles |
A small
sac in the ovary in which the egg develops. |
| Follicular
phase |
The pre-ovulatory
phase characterised by the growth and development of the egg
follicles. See menstrual cycle and pre-ovulatory phase |
| Fostering |
The
process of caring for a child that is not usually
genetically related. |
