- Oligoovulation
Infrequent or irregular ovulation (usually defined as cycles of >36 days or <8 cycles a year)
- Oligospermia
Condition in which the number of sperm in a semen sample is abnormally low.
- Oligozoospermia
-
Oligozoospermia - A condition in which the number of sperm in semen sample is abnormally low (lower than 20 millions per millilitre of semen). Oligozoospermia is considered severe when the sperm count is lower than 5 millions per millilitre.
- Oocyte
Also referred to as an ovum or egg. The reproductive cell produced in the ovaries each month.
- Oocyte donor
A woman who donates an ovum or ova to another woman.
- Oocyte retrieval
-
Oocyte retrieval - A surgical procedure, usually under sedation, to collect the eggs contained with the ovarian follicles. A needle is inserted into the follicle; the fluid and egg are aspirated into the needle and then placed into a culture medium - filled dish.
- Oocytedonation
-
Oocytedonation - Eggs that are removed from the ovaries of one woman for use by another.
- Ovarian cyst
a fluid-containing enlargement of the ovary
- Ovarian Failure
Inability of the ovaries to respond to any hormonal stimulation, often due to a postmenopausal condition.
- Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome
-
Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome (OHSS) - A possible side effect of medically induced ovulation, characterized by swollen, painful ovaries and, in some cases, the accumulation of fluid in the abdomen and chest.
- Ovarian wedge resection
surgical removal of a portion of a polycystic ovary to produce ovulation
- Ovaries
Paired female sex glands in which ova are developed and stored and the hormones estrogen and progesterone are produced.
- Oviduct
Either of a pair of tubes that pick up the egg from the ovary and conducts it to the uterus. Fertilization normally occurs within this structure.
Also known as Fallopian tube.
- Ovulation
The release of an oocyte from a woman's ovary, generally around the midpoint of the menstrual cycle.
- Ovulation induction
Treatment of ovulation dysfunction caused by such disorders as amenorrhea, oligomenorrhea, and LPD, using drugs that induce ovulation. These so~called fertility drugs include CC and gonadotropins. Ovulation induction is also used as part of the Al, IVF, and GIFT techniques.
- Ovulation prediction kit
Over-the-counter hormone monitoring kits that employ the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay procedure to measure the mid-cycle increase in LH that indicates ovulation is taking place.
- ovum
the female reproductive cell
- Pap smear
Removal of cells from the surface of the cervix to study microscopically
- Papanicolaou smear
-
Papanicolaou smear - Also known as Pap Smear. This is a screening test to evaluate the cells of the cervix to determine if they are normal. It is done by using a cyto-brush and a wooden spatula in the cervical canal. A pathologist then examines the cells under a microscope.
- Parlodel
A synthetic compound that interferes with the pituitary gland's ability to secrete prolactin. Often prescribed for hyperprolactinemia.
- Patent
Open; for example, fallopian tubes should be patent after a sterilization reversal operation
- PCOD
Polycystic ovarian disease/syndrome (PCOD/PCOS)
A disease of the ovaries caused by malfunction of the hormonal system that results in ovaries clogged with cysts, making ovulation almost impossible. This is characterized by multiple ovarian cysts and increased androgen production.
- PCOS
Polycystic ovarian disease/syndrome (PCOD/PCOS)
A disease of the ovaries caused by malfunction of the hormonal system that results in ovaries clogged with cysts, making ovulation almost impossible. This is characterized by multiple ovarian cysts and increased androgen production.
- Pelvic cavity
The area surrounded by the pelvic bone that contains the uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries in women, and the prostate gland and seminal vesicles in men
- Pelvic inflammatory disease
Inflammatory disease of the pelvis, often caused by an untreated STD. Bacteria that cause gonorrhea, chlamydia, or other infections can ascend from the lower genital tract through the endometrium (causing endometriosis), to the fallopian tubes (causing salpingitis), and possibly to the ovaries (causing oophritis).
