Panama Fertility

Fertility Clinic

Fertility Glossary

Amenorrhea

Amenorrhea is the absence of menstrual periods for several consecutive months. It may be related to hormonal imbalances, stress, ovulation disorders, or conditions such as polycystic ovary syndrome. In some cases, it can affect female fertility and require specialized medical evaluation.


Andrology

Andrology is the branch of medicine focused on male reproductive health. It evaluates issues such as infertility, low sperm quality, erectile dysfunction, and hormonal disorders that may affect male fertility.


Anti-Müllerian Hormone (AMH)

Anti-Müllerian Hormone is used to measure a woman’s ovarian reserve. It helps estimate the number of remaining eggs and is an important marker in fertility treatments such as IVF.


Follicular Aspiration

Follicular aspiration is a procedure performed during IVF to retrieve mature eggs from the ovaries. It is performed under sedation and guided by ultrasound.


Anovulation

Anovulation occurs when a woman does not release an egg during her menstrual cycle. It is one of the most common causes of female infertility and is often associated with hormonal imbalances.


Low Ovarian Reserve

Low ovarian reserve means the number of eggs available in the ovaries is lower than expected for a woman’s age. This can reduce the chances of natural pregnancy.


Sperm Bank

A sperm bank is a facility where frozen sperm samples are stored for fertility treatments, fertility preservation, or assisted reproduction procedures.


Egg Bank

An egg bank stores frozen eggs for future fertility treatments and fertility preservation purposes.


Blastocyst

A blastocyst is an embryo that has developed for five to six days after fertilization. At this stage, it has a higher chance of successful implantation.


Embryo Biopsy

Embryo biopsy involves removing a few cells from an embryo to perform genetic testing before embryo transfer.


Menstrual Cycle

The menstrual cycle is the monthly hormonal process that prepares the female body for pregnancy. It includes ovulation and changes in the uterine lining.


Egg Freezing

Egg freezing is a fertility preservation treatment that allows women to store eggs for future use.


Cryopreservation

Cryopreservation is the technique used to freeze and store embryos, eggs, or sperm at extremely low temperatures.


Embryo Quality

Embryo quality evaluates the appearance and development of an embryo to determine its implantation potential.


Timed Intercourse

Timed intercourse involves planning sexual intercourse during the woman’s most fertile days to increase the chances of pregnancy.


Preimplantation Genetic Testing (PGT)

PGT is a genetic test performed on embryos created through IVF to detect chromosomal abnormalities or inherited diseases.


Egg Donation

Egg donation is a fertility treatment in which a woman donates her eggs to help another patient achieve pregnancy.


Sperm Donation

Sperm donation involves using donor sperm samples for fertility treatments.


Ovulatory Dysfunction

Ovulatory dysfunction occurs when ovulation is irregular or absent, making natural pregnancy more difficult.


Double Ovarian Stimulation

Double ovarian stimulation is a technique that allows egg retrieval during two different phases within the same menstrual cycle.


Embryo

An embryo is the result of the union between an egg and a sperm after fertilization.


Endometriosis

Endometriosis is a condition in which tissue similar to the uterine lining grows outside the uterus and may affect fertility.


Endometrium

The endometrium is the inner lining of the uterus where the embryo implants during pregnancy.


Spermatogenesis

Spermatogenesis is the process through which sperm cells are produced in the testes.


Ovarian Stimulation

Ovarian stimulation uses hormonal medications to promote the development of multiple eggs during fertility treatments.


Sterility

Sterility is the inability to achieve pregnancy after an extended period of trying.


Retrograde Ejaculation

Retrograde ejaculation occurs when semen travels backward into the bladder instead of exiting through the penis during ejaculation.


Fertility

Fertility is the natural ability to achieve pregnancy.


Male Fertility

Male fertility depends mainly on sperm quality, quantity, and motility.


Female Fertility

Female fertility is related to egg quality, ovulation, and overall reproductive health.


In Vitro Fertilization (IVF)

IVF is an assisted reproduction treatment where fertilization occurs in a laboratory setting.


Ovarian Follicle

An ovarian follicle is the structure inside the ovary that contains a developing egg.


Embryo Fragmentation

Embryo fragmentation refers to small cellular fragments within an embryo that may affect embryo quality.


Gametes

Gametes are human reproductive cells: eggs and sperm.


Gestational Surrogacy

Gestational surrogacy is a process in which a woman carries a pregnancy for another individual or couple.


Ovarian Hyperstimulation

Ovarian hyperstimulation is a rare complication caused by hormonal medications used during fertility treatments.


Hysterosalpingography

Hysterosalpingography is an imaging study used to evaluate the fallopian tubes and uterus.


Hysteroscopy

Hysteroscopy is a procedure that allows doctors to examine the inside of the uterus using a specialized camera.


Hypogonadism

Hypogonadism is a hormonal condition in which reproductive organs produce low levels of sex hormones.


Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH)

FSH is a hormone essential for ovarian follicle development and sperm production.


ICSI

ICSI is an advanced fertility technique where a single sperm is injected directly into an egg.


Embryo Implantation

Embryo implantation occurs when an embryo attaches to the uterine lining.


Infertility

Infertility is the inability to achieve pregnancy after 12 months of unprotected intercourse.


Artificial Insemination

Artificial insemination involves placing sperm directly into the uterus to improve pregnancy chances.


Intrauterine Insemination (IUI)

IUI is a fertility procedure in which specially prepared sperm is inserted directly into the uterus during ovulation.


Luteinization

Luteinization is the hormonal process that occurs after ovulation.


Luteinizing Hormone (LH)

LH is the hormone responsible for triggering ovulation.


Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection

Intracytoplasmic sperm injection is another term used to describe the ICSI procedure.


Uterine Fibroids

Uterine fibroids are noncancerous growths in the uterus that may affect fertility.


Semen Sample

A semen sample is collected for fertility testing or fertility treatments.


Oligospermia

Oligospermia is a condition characterized by a low sperm count.


Ovulation

Ovulation is the process in which the ovary releases a mature egg.


Egg Donation Treatment

Egg donation treatment involves using donor eggs to achieve pregnancy.


Oocyte

An oocyte is the female reproductive cell before it becomes a mature egg.


PGT-A

PGT-A analyzes embryos for chromosomal abnormalities before embryo transfer.


PGT-M

PGT-M detects specific inherited genetic diseases in embryos.


Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome

Polycystic ovarian syndrome is a hormonal disorder associated with irregular cycles and ovulation problems.


Progesterone

Progesterone is a hormone essential for preparing the uterus for pregnancy.


Fertility Preservation

Fertility preservation allows eggs, sperm, or embryos to be stored for future use.


Ovarian Reserve

Ovarian reserve refers to the quantity and quality of eggs available in the ovaries.


Assisted Reproduction

Assisted reproduction includes medical techniques designed to help achieve pregnancy.


Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)

PCOS is a common hormonal disorder that may affect ovulation and fertility.


Semen Analysis

A semen analysis evaluates sperm quality, quantity, and motility.


Subfertility

Subfertility refers to reduced fertility, but not complete infertility.


Fertility Test

A fertility test includes medical evaluations used to assess reproductive health in men or women.


Embryo Transfer

Embryo transfer is the procedure in which an embryo is placed into the uterus.


Teratozoospermia

Teratozoospermia is a condition involving abnormal sperm shape or morphology.


Fallopian Tubes

The fallopian tubes connect the ovaries to the uterus and play a key role in natural fertilization.


Uterus

The uterus is the female reproductive organ where pregnancy develops.


Septate Uterus

A septate uterus is a congenital uterine abnormality that may affect fertility and pregnancy outcomes.


Vitrification

Vitrification is an advanced ultra-rapid freezing technique commonly used in fertility treatments.


Vasectomy Reversal

Vasectomy reversal is a surgical procedure performed to restore male fertility after vasectomy.


Zona Pellucida

The zona pellucida is the outer layer surrounding the egg and early embryo.

Picture of Dr. Mario Vega C.

Dr. Mario Vega C.

El Dr. Mario Vega Croker se graduó entre los mejores de su escuela de medicina antes de llegar a Nueva York. Cursa la especialidad de Ginecología y Obstetricia en hospitales afiliados a la Universidad de Columbia y el Mount Sinai Medical School donde fue nombrado Jefe Administrativo de los residentes de Ginecología y Obstetricia. A la vez, es galardonado por sus habilidades quirúrgicas mínimamente invasivas con el “Special Resident in Minimally Invasive Gynecology” del American Association of Gynecologic Laparoscopists (AAGL) y con el “Resident Achievement Award” de The Society of Laparoendoscopic Surgeons (SLS).