A rather insensitive way of referring to recurrent miscarriages.

The state of a cell with 23 chromosomes (half the normal diploid chromosome state), found normally only in the spermatozoon and the egg (as the secondary oocyte). The noun form of this adjective is haploidy (the state of being haploid).

An event, usually unwanted, sometimes in the sense of a penalty. Unlike risk, which has a number attached to it (it's quantitative), a hazard is 'yes' or 'no': it's either realised, or experienced, or it's not; although one hazard can be worse to experience than another, you can't put a figure on it (it's said to be qualitative).

A naturally occurring 'anticoagulant', or substance that stops blood from clotting. Used in medicine generally to prevent or to treat thrombosis, and sometimes in pregnancy to reduce the risk of miscarriage in someone who has had recurrent miscarriages by improving blood flow in the placenta. Administered by injection under the skin.

The coexistence of a pregnancy in the uterus with an ectopic pregnancy.

An adjective to describe the genetic state when the pair of genes under consideration consists of two alleles that are different. Disease or disability can follow if one of the alleles is at once seriously abnormal and dominant (see dominant inheritance) over the other allele, or if the alleles are different but both are deleterious (a state called compound heterozygosity).

An order of multiple pregnancy higher than twins.

See the description for low responder.

Hair (particularly, 'terminal hair -- hair that is thick and pigmented) on the face, chest (between the breasts or around the nipples), abdomen or thighs that is getting worse, or is worse than other family members, or is worse than usual for one's race. More likely to be important medically if the periods are disturbed (i.e. if there is oligomenorrhea or amenorrhea).

Human immune-deficiency virus, the virus that causes acquired immune deficiency syndrome, or AIDS. Type 1 and type 2 viruses are recognised, and both are usually tested for in serum HIV antibodies.

Human leukocyte antigens, also known as tissue typing molecules, responsible for acceptance or rejection of tissue grafts, and implicated in the survival or rejection of the fetus in pregnancy.

An adjective to describe the genetic state when the pair of genes under consideration consists of two alleles that are the same. Disease or disability can follow if both alleles are seriously abnormal -- a condition known as recessive inheritance (and a good example of which is cystic fibrosis).

A chemical substance, natural or not, which acts as a signal from one part of the body to another, via the bloodstream. The study of hormones is the science of endocrinology, and the hormone systems of the body are collectively known as the endocrine system.

(HRT) This could literally be the replacement of any naturally deficient hormone, but in practice it means estrogen replacement therapy.

Human recombinant follicle stimulating hormone.

Hormone replacement therapy; see estrogen replacement therapy.

(hCG) A gonadotropin produced by the placenta in pregnancy (specifically it's produced by the trophoblast of the chorionic villi); the hormone measured in performing a pregnancy test. The generic (no frills') name for Pregnyl and Profasi, which are preparations of hCG obtained by extracting it from the urine of pregnant women, and Ovidrel, which is made by recombinant gene technology. Mimics the action of luteinising hormone (LH), but has a very much longer duration of action -- and this gives hCG considerable advantages over LH in clinical use. Given as an injection to lead to ovulation from a mature follicle 38 hours after the injection; or to stimulate ongoing function of the corpus luteum, particularly its production of progesterone. So it is typically given after a course of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) in assisted conception (IVF or GIFT) programs and ovulation induction programs 36 hours before the expected time of egg retrieval (or before having sex or IUI), and then sometimes in further, smaller doses to support the luteal phase that follows. Sometimes used with clomiphene. Ovarian monitoring is needed for its correct use with FSH or with clomiphene. hCG treatment can precipitate the ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS).

(hMG) A mixture of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinising hormone (LH) extracted for therapeutic use from the urine of menopausal women (women after the menopause normally produce these hormones in high concentration). Marketed as Humegon (Organon) and Pergonal (Serono). Metrodin (Serono) is hMG from which LH has been removed, and Metrodin HP (Serono) is Metrodin from which other urinary proteins have been removed too, resulting in very pure FSH. Ferring market a highly purified hMG containing both FSH and LH, but not in Australia (see Menogon or Repronex). No cases of transmitted (infectious) disease have been recorded after the use of hMG preparations, unlike human pituitary gonadotropin.

(hPG) A mixture of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinising hormone (LH) extracted directly from pituitary glands obtained at autopsies; not used in Australia or elsewhere since 1986, when it was shown that Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD), a deadly form of dementia, had been transmitted from its use, presumably due to contaminating and infected brain tissue. Before 1986 it had been used mostly for ovulation induction in women with amenorrhea (absent periods) for which other hormones or drugs had not been effective, although sporadic instances of its use for in vitro fertilisation are known in Australia. No new cases of CJD have been reported among former users of hPG since the early 1990s.

Embryo culture medium formulated to resemble the constituents found within the fallopian tube by Dr Patrick Quinn, an Australian scientist living in Los Angeles, but differing in a number of respects.

Mixture of human menopausal gonadotropins containing follicle stimulating hormone made by Organon; virtually equivalent to Pergonal.

An abnormal conceptus in which the chorionic villi of the placenta have become cystic and swollen, typically because the chorion has not developed in connection with a fetus that has a properly functioning circulation. The placenta looks like a bunch of grapes.

A hydatidiform mole in which there is no embryo or fetus. The size of the uterus is often larger than expected from the date of the last menstrual period, often with a high level of serum hCG; there may be bleeding; and there is a classic abnormal appearance on transvaginal ultrasound. Caused by pregnancy following abnormal fertilisation in which the oocyte is 'empty', that is it loses its pronucleus, and either (1) the male pronucleus from a single fertilising sperm doubles (the karyotype of the mole is then always 46,XX, because 46,YY is immediately lethal) or (2) there are two male pronuclei from two fertilising sperm (in which case the karyotype is either 46,XX or 46,XY). Treatment is by vacuum curettage, but there is a persisting danger of cancer (choriocarcinoma) and specialist medical follow-up is essential.

Abnormal conceptus in which there is coexistence of a hydatidiform mole with a fetus; caused by triploidy. Not as dangerous as a molar pregnancy without a fetus (see hydatidiform mole, complete), but medical follow-up is still necessary.

Blockage of the outer, or fimbrial end of the fallopian tube, usually as a result of chronic salpingitis (but also sometimes from peritubal adhesions, from a salpingotomy or partial salpingectomy for a tubal pregnancy, or from fimbriectomy), resulting in its distension by watery contents. An untreated hydrosalpinx (even if only one tube is affected and the other tube is normal) can cause infertility and failure to conceive even with in vitro fertilisation.

Pathologists use this word to mean an abnormal increase in the number of cells seen in a sample of tissue.

An increase in serum prolactin; can be accompanied by galactorrhea and amenorrhea.

Light periods, particularly in a woman who has previously had much heavier periods. Occurs normally on the oral contraceptive (birth control) pill. Occurs abnormally with intrauterine adhesions or endometrial atrophy; see also Asherman's syndrome.

A congenital abnormality in males in which the urethra does not reach the tip of the penis, but opens near its base. The penis is usually short and curved, which can make sex difficult and can contribute to infertility.

Absence of ovulation caused by insufficient GnRH drive from the hypothalamus, so that the pituitary gland doesn't produce enough follicle stimulating hormone. Usually accompanied by absent periods (amenorrhea).

Part of the brain lying immediately above (and connected to) the pituitary gland; responsible for producing gonadotropin releasing hormone and dopamine, among other hormones and substances (including the endorphins, serotonin, etc.). In women (when conditioned to cyclical function by a lack of exposure to male sex hormones before birth) it resonates with the ovarian cycle and cooperates with the pituitary gland to cause corresponding cyclical production of follicle stimulating hormone and, particularly, a timely LH surge. Responds to progesterone by raising the body's temperature

A surgical operation at which the uterus is removed, usually including the cervix (hence a 'total hysterectomy'), but not necessarily including the fallopian tubes and ovaries.

(HSG) An x-ray of the endometrial cavity and the inside (the lumen) of the fallopian tubes, thus outlining them. Performed by injecting a fluid medium that blocks x-rays through the cervix, so that it first fills the endometrial cavity and then flows out along the tubes, finally casting shadows between the loops of intestine if the tubes are open. The test is uncomfortable or painful to have done, because of contractions of the uterus, which can be partially overcome by taking one of the same drugs that are used to overcome dysmenorrhea, namely the NSAIDs (I suggest taking 2 tablets or capsules 30 minutes before the test).

An examination of the endometrial cavity of the uterus by a thin fiberoptic instrument, similar to the instrument used for laparoscopy. Hysteroscopy can be done in the office, with or without sedation, to make a diagnosis, or in the operating room under general anesthesia, often in association with laparoscopy or to carry out a hysteroscopic operation, such as removal of an endometrial polyp, submucous fibroid or uterine septum.