When I read other people's blogs about their journey through the world of infertility, I feel like I need to take a course just to understand the acronyms that they use! I've been dealing with this stuff for 5 years. I'm not new to it...maybe a little new to the blogging world, but why can't we just use words?? I guess I'm resistant to it also because I feel like non-IVFers are reading this and if I'm this confused by things like BFN, DH, and FET then how on earth could other have any clue? So I read these other blogs and nearly every time, I have to google "infertility acronyms" and find that page that helps me understand what these women are talking about. It's a little frustrating - mostly because I feel stupid for not being able to pick on it by now. And, no offense, some of the acronyms are kinda dumb. Of course I'm not one to even use LOL in an email...maybe an occasional OMG in jest or an WTF when I'm at work, but that's it. Honestly it makes me feel OLD. I like words. In case you're not an IVFer (YES, I realize IVF is an acronym too...) here are some commonly used ones:
AH Assisted Hatching
ART Assisted Reproductive Technology
BBT Basal Body Temperature
BCP Birth Control Pills
CD Cycle Day
CM Cervical Mucous
D&C Dilation and Curettage
D&E Dilation and Evacuation
DH Dear Husband
DI Donor Insemination
DPO Days post-ovulation
DPT Days post-transfer
DX Diagnosis
E2 Estradiol
ET Embryo transfer
FET Frozen embryo transfer
FSH Follicle Stimulating Hormone
GIFT Gamete Intra-fallopian transfer
GnRH Gonadotropin Releasing Hormone
HCG Human Chorioonic Gonadotropin
HPT Home pregnancy test
HSG Hysterosalpingogram
ICI Intra-cervical Insemination
ICSI Intra-cytoplasmic SPerm Injection
IF Infertility
IM Intra-muscular
IUI Intra-uterine Insemination
IVF In Vitro Fertilization
IVIg Intravenous Immunoglobulin
LAP Laparoscopy
LPD Leuteal Phase Defect
MC or M/C Miscarriage
MESA Microsurgical Epididymal Sperm Aspiration
NK Natural Killer Cells
NP Nurse Practitioner
OHSS Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome
OPK Ovualtion Predictor Kit
PCO, PCOD Polycycstic Ovary Disease
PCT Post Coital Test
PG Pregnant
PI Primary infertility
PID Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
PMS Pre-menstrual Syndrome
POF Premature Ovarian Failure
RE Reproductive Endocrinologist
SA Semen Analysis
TX Treatment
ZIFT Zygote Intrafallopian Transfer
Yes, there are A LOT!!! And that's not even all of them.
Help me out, girls - use words please.
I totally agree. I have people following my blog who are not familiar with infertility terminology so I always use complete words or at least explain any acronyms I may use. I'm a big fan or words too!! :) (It's challenging to write for both the infertiltiy community and the rest of the world..haha!)
ReplyDeleteI hear ya! And just being on message boards/forums makes you learn a ton more. But just so you know-- DH can be darling, dear, or damn husband depending on the day! ;)
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