Wednesday, November 25, 2009

Why can't we just use words?

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.

2 comments:

  1. 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!)

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  2. I 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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