Fertility Abbreviations Explained: TTC, IUI, IVF & ART Glossary

• TTC shorthand (CD, DPO, 2WW, BFP, BFN, OPK, BBT, EWCM) is community language for cycle tracking and the wait between ovulation and a pregnancy test — it is not medical jargon.
• Diagnostic abbreviations describe real tests: AMH and AFC estimate egg quantity, FSH/LH/estradiol assess the hormonal axis, HSG checks tubes, and semen analysis assesses the male side.
• IUI places washed sperm into the uterus and suits milder problems; IVF retrieves eggs and fertilises them in the lab, with ICSI for male-factor cases.
• Donor gametes and surrogacy in India are now tightly regulated by the ART (Regulation) Act 2021 and the Surrogacy (Regulation) Act 2021.
• A single low result or one failed cycle rarely decides the outcome — most numbers are pieces of a bigger picture your specialist interprets together.
• Learning these terms helps you ask better questions and make informed decisions, but every result needs interpretation by a qualified fertility specialist.

The trying-to-conceive community has built its own shorthand for the daily reality of cycle tracking, timed intercourse and waiting. Learning it helps you follow online groups, talk to your clinician and feel less alone. None of these are formal medical terms — they are simply convenient labels. If you are starting out, our Trying to Conceive 101 guide walks through the whole journey from first cycle to first appointment.

Cycle and tracking terms

• TTC — Trying to Conceive. TTC#1, TTC#2 distinguish a first baby from later ones.
• DH / DW / DD / DS / DP — Dear Husband / Wife / Daughter / Son / Partner; forum shorthand that keeps posts a little anonymous.
• CD — Cycle Day, counted from the first day of bleeding. CD1 is the first full-flow day; CD14 is roughly ovulation in a textbook 28-day cycle.
• LMP — Last Menstrual Period; the first day of your last period, used to date cycles and pregnancies.
• FP / LP — Follicular Phase (period to ovulation) and Luteal Phase (ovulation to next period). A luteal phase under about 10 days is short and may affect fertility — see luteal phase defect.
• O / O Day / DPO — Ovulation, Ovulation Day, and Days Past Ovulation. DPO is how the two-week wait is counted.
• FW (fertile window) — the roughly 6 fertile days (5 days before ovulation plus ovulation day). Our guide on when a woman is most fertile explains why.

• 2WW / TWW — Two-Week Wait, the ~14 days from ovulation until a test is reliable. Often the hardest stretch emotionally.
• BD / BMS — Baby Dance / Baby-Making Sex; intercourse timed for conception.
• HPT — Home Pregnancy Test. Indian brands include i-Can, Prega News, Velocit and others, roughly Rs 50-200 per test.
• IC — Internet Cheapie; bulk test strips bought online (Easy@Home, Wondfo and similar).
• BFP / BFN — Big Fat Positive / Negative.
• Beta or beta-hCG — the quantitative blood test that measures hCG to confirm and follow early pregnancy. In healthy early pregnancy the level roughly doubles every 48-72 hours.

• OPK — Ovulation Prediction Kit, detecting the LH surge. See ovulation test kits in India for brands and accuracy.
• BBT — Basal Body Temperature, taken at rest before getting up; it rises slightly after ovulation. Learn the method in our BBT charting guide.
• LH / FSH — Luteinising and Follicle-Stimulating Hormones from the pituitary; the LH surge triggers ovulation.
• EWCM / CM / CP — Egg-White Cervical Mucus (the most fertile, stretchy type), Cervical Mucus generally, and Cervical Position. Tracking these is covered in cervical mucus tracking for TTC.
• Mittelschmerz — German for "middle pain"; the mid-cycle ovulation twinge some women feel.
• AF — Aunt Flo; the period arriving.

• EDD / GA / MS — Estimated Due Date / Gestational Age / Morning Sickness.
• MC / CP (chemical pregnancy) / EP / BO — Miscarriage / Chemical Pregnancy (very early loss seen only on a test) / Ectopic Pregnancy / Blighted Ovum.
• RPL / EPL / IUFD / TFMR — Recurrent Pregnancy Loss (2+ losses) / Early Pregnancy Loss / Intrauterine Fetal Demise (loss after 20 weeks) / Termination For Medical Reasons.
• D&C / D&E / MTP — Dilation and Curettage / Dilation and Evacuation / Medical Termination of Pregnancy (the Indian legal term, governed by the MTP Act 1971 and its 2021 amendment).

• TTA / WTT / NTNP / NFP / PCing — Trying To Avoid / Waiting To Try / Not Trying, Not Preventing / Natural Family Planning / Preventing Conception.

A fertility work-up uses its own set of tests, each with an abbreviation. Knowing what they measure helps you read your own reports and take part in decisions. Indian lab costs below are typical private-lab ranges and vary by city and lab.

Ovarian-reserve and hormone tests

• AMH (Anti-Müllerian Hormone) — a marker of how many eggs remain (ovarian reserve). It can be drawn any cycle day. A rough reproductive-age range is 1.0-4.0 ng/mL; above ~4-5 may reflect PCOS-pattern ovaries, while under 1.0 suggests diminished reserve. Importantly, AMH measures egg quantity, not quality — see our AMH and ovarian reserve testing guide. Cost ~Rs 1,500-3,500.
• FSH — drawn on cycle day 2-4. Under 10 mIU/mL is normal; rising values suggest reducing reserve; above ~40 typically indicates ovarian failure. Cost ~Rs 300-600.
• LH — day 2-4 alongside FSH (a high LH:FSH ratio can point to PCOS); a mid-cycle reading catches the ovulation surge.
• Estradiol (E2) — the main follicular estrogen; a high day-3 value despite a normal FSH can mask diminished reserve. Mid-cycle peaks around 200-400 pg/mL.
• Progesterone — a mid-luteal level (about day 21, or 7 days before the next expected period) above 3 ng/mL confirms ovulation occurred.
• Prolactin — high levels can suppress ovulation; persistent elevation needs work-up, sometimes a pituitary MRI. See high prolactin and difficulty conceiving.
• TSH (and free T4) — thyroid screening. Many clinicians aim for TSH around 0.4-2.5 mIU/L when optimising fertility; our thyroid and fertility guide explains why.
• Androgens — Total/Free Testosterone, SHBG, Free Androgen Index, DHEAS and 17-OH Progesterone assess excess male-type hormones, mainly in PCOS work-up.
• Metabolic tests — fasting glucose, fasting insulin, HbA1c, HOMA-IR and OGTT screen for insulin resistance, common in PCOS.

• TVUS / 3D ultrasound — Transvaginal Ultrasound is the basic pelvic scan; 3D adds detail on uterine shape and congenital anomalies.
• AFC (Antral Follicle Count) — counting small 2-9 mm follicles on scan; roughly 8-20 total is normal, very high suggests PCOS, low suggests diminished reserve.
• HSG / HyCoSy / SIS — tests of the cavity and tubes done early in the cycle. The X-ray-based HSG tubal patency test checks whether the fallopian tubes are open; HyCoSy is an ultrasound-based, radiation-free alternative; SIS (saline sonography) focuses on the uterine cavity.
• Hysteroscopy / Laparoscopy — direct camera views inside the uterus and pelvis respectively; both can diagnose and treat (polyps, fibroids, adhesions, endometriosis) in the same sitting.

• DOR / POI — Diminished Ovarian Reserve / Premature Ovarian Insufficiency (loss of ovarian function before 40).
• PCOS — Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, diagnosed by the Rotterdam criteria; a leading cause of irregular ovulation in Indian women.
• Endometriosis / Adenomyosis / Fibroids — see endometriosis and infertility for how the first affects conception.
• Unexplained Infertility — no cause found after standard testing; covered in our unexplained infertility work-up.
• MFI / OAT / Azoospermia / Varicocele — Male Factor Infertility and its patterns (Oligo-Astheno-Teratozoospermia, absent sperm, scrotal vein enlargement). The male side is assessed by a semen analysis using WHO 2021 reference values, and is the hidden cause in around 40% of cases.
• AMA / APA — Advanced Maternal Age (usually 35+ at delivery) and Advanced Paternal Age (usually 40+).

Intrauterine insemination (IUI) places specially prepared ("washed") sperm directly into the uterus around ovulation. It is less invasive and far cheaper than IVF, which makes it a common first-line treatment for milder problems. Our full IUI in India guide walks through it cycle by cycle.

What IUI involves

1. Ovulation is timed by natural-cycle tracking (OPK, BBT, scans) or induced with medication (usually letrozole or clomiphene, sometimes gonadotropins).
2. The male partner gives a semen sample (or donor sperm is thawed).
3. The lab washes the sperm — separating motile sperm from seminal fluid and debris.
4. The prepared sample is passed into the uterus through a thin catheter. The experience is similar to a Pap smear: 5-10 minutes, mild cramping, usually no anaesthesia.
5. The two-week wait begins.

• Mild male-factor infertility
• Cervical-factor problems (mucus that impedes sperm)
• Unexplained infertility (modest benefit, especially with stimulation)
• Ovulation problems being treated with ovulation induction
• Mild endometriosis
• Donor-sperm conception (single women, same-sex female couples, severe male factor)
• Sexual-function difficulties preventing natural conception

• Severe male factor or azoospermia (IVF/ICSI is needed)
• Both fallopian tubes blocked
• Severe endometriosis affecting the tubes
• Advanced maternal age with diminished reserve (IVF is often more efficient)
• After 3-6 failed IUI cycles

• Natural-cycle IUI: ~5-10%
• With clomiphene or letrozole: ~10-15%
• With gonadotropins: ~15-20% (higher cost, higher multiple-pregnancy risk)

In vitro fertilisation (IVF) retrieves eggs from the ovaries, fertilises them with sperm in the laboratory, and transfers the resulting embryo into the uterus. Since the first IVF birth in 1978, the technology has matured into a mainstream treatment for many situations. Our detailed IVF in India guide covers age-stratified success and how to choose a clinic.

The IVF process

1. Ovarian stimulation — daily FSH (with or without LH) injections for ~8-12 days to grow multiple follicles; doses are individualised.
2. Monitoring — scans and estradiol blood tests every 2-3 days, with dose adjustments.
3. Trigger — when follicles reach ~17-20 mm, an hCG or GnRH-agonist trigger matures the eggs.
4. Egg retrieval — ~34-36 hours later, eggs are aspirated under ultrasound guidance with sedation; ~20-30 minutes.
5. Fertilisation — eggs meet sperm in the lab. Conventional IVF lets fertilisation happen naturally; ICSI injects a single sperm into each egg.
6. Embryo development — embryos are cultured 3-5 days to the blastocyst stage and graded.
7. Embryo transfer — one or more embryos pass through a thin catheter into the uterus (similar to IUI in experience).
8. Luteal support — progesterone supports the lining.
9. Pregnancy test — a beta-hCG blood test ~10-14 days after transfer.
10. Early monitoring — repeat betas and a 6-7 week scan confirm a viable intrauterine pregnancy.

• Under 35: ~40-45%
• 35-37: ~30-35%
• 38-40: ~20-25%
• 41-42: ~10-15%
• Over 42: ~5-10%

• ICSI / IMSI / PICSI — Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection and its high-magnification (IMSI) and hyaluronic-acid-selection (PICSI) variants, used for male-factor cases.
• FET / SET / eSET / DET — Frozen Embryo Transfer / Single / elective Single / Double Embryo Transfer. Single transfer is increasingly standard to avoid twins.
• PGT-A / PGT-M / PGT-SR — Preimplantation Genetic Testing for Aneuploidy (chromosome number), Monogenic disorders (e.g. thalassaemia, sickle cell, cystic fibrosis), and Structural Rearrangements (translocations). Adds ~Rs 50,000-150,000.
• Assisted hatching, time-lapse imaging (EmbryoScope), ERA — adjuncts for hatching, embryo selection and timing the implantation window.

Donor eggs, donor sperm and surrogacy expand the options for people facing specific challenges, but India's framework changed substantially with the ART (Regulation) Act 2021 and Surrogacy (Regulation) Act 2021. Understanding the current rules matters because they restrict some previously available paths.

Donor sperm. Used for severe male factor, single women, same-sex female couples and to avoid transmitting genetic conditions. Under the ART Act, sperm donors are 21-55 years, screened, anonymous to recipients, and limited to a set number of births. Most often used with IUI (cheaper than donor-sperm IVF). See donor sperm IUI in India.

Donor eggs. Used for premature ovarian insufficiency, very low reserve, repeated IVF failure or to avoid passing on a genetic condition. Egg donors must be 23-35 years, screened, and — a significant change — married with at least one living child of their own. Because young eggs are higher quality, donor-egg IVF success is largely independent of recipient age (~45-55% per cycle). Cost is roughly Rs 200,000-450,000; details in donor egg IVF in India.

Surrogacy. The Surrogacy Act permits only altruistic surrogacy — no payment beyond medical expenses and insurance; commercial surrogacy is banned. Eligibility is narrow: an Indian heterosexual married couple with a certified infertility indication, meeting marriage-duration and age criteria, with a surrogate who is a close married relative aged 25-35, acting only once. Our surrogacy in India guide covers the 2021 Act in full.

Donor embryos (from couples who completed their family) are permitted under specific conditions.

Alternatives for those not eligible include adoption through CARA, donor gametes with one's own gestation, or a supported child-free path. These are profound decisions touching emotion, ethics, law and finance, and they warrant unhurried information-gathering, specialist and legal consultation, and counselling experienced in these specific dimensions.

Medications drive most fertility treatments. Knowing what each does helps you tell expected effects from concerning ones and follow timing precisely. All require a prescription and clinician supervision. Indian costs and brands below are indicative.

Oral ovulation induction

• Letrozole — an aromatase inhibitor and the usual first-line agent (the 2014 PPCOS II trial showed better ovulation and live-birth rates than clomiphene). Typical 2.5-7.5 mg for 5 days. Brands: Letroz, Femara, Letrof. ~Rs 800-1,500/cycle. Generally well tolerated; gentler on cervical mucus and lining than clomiphene.
• Clomiphene citrate — older SERM; 50-150 mg for 5 days. Brands: Fertyl, Ovuclom, Clomid, Fertomid. ~Rs 300-700/cycle. More hot flushes, and can thin mucus and the lining. In PCOS, see PCOS fertility treatment.

• Recombinant FSH — Gonal-F, Recagon, Follinorm. ~Rs 25,000-100,000/cycle.
• Urinary FSH / HMG — Menogon, Menopur (FSH + LH), Folitrope.
• hCG trigger — Pregnyl, Ovitrelle, Choragon (~Rs 500-3,000).
• GnRH agonists / antagonists — Lupride, Suprefact (suppression/trigger); Cetrotide, Antagon (prevent premature ovulation).

• Progesterone — vaginal (Crinone, Naturogest, Susten, Endometrin), oral (Duphaston/dydrogesterone, Susten SR) or injectable (Gestone). See can progesterone help you get pregnant for honest evidence.
• Estradiol — Progynova, Estrofem (oral); Climara, Estraderm (patches) to prepare the lining for transfer.

• Metformin (Glycomet, Glucophage) — for insulin resistance in PCOS.
• Spironolactone (Aldactone) — anti-androgen, stopped before conception.
• Levothyroxine (Eltroxin, Thyronorm) — for hypothyroidism, targeting TSH ~0.4-2.5.
• Cabergoline (Cabgolin, Caberlin) or bromocriptine — for high prolactin.
• Low-dose aspirin and low-molecular-weight heparin (Clexane) — in selected recurrent-loss cases with antiphospholipid syndrome.

Not every cycle ends as hoped, and a few situations need specific attention. Recognising them helps you know when extra intervention is warranted.

Recurrent Pregnancy Loss (RPL) — usually defined as 2 or more consecutive losses (some still use 3); it affects about 1-2% of couples. Common identifiable causes include chromosomal abnormalities (the most frequent, more so with age), structural uterine issues (septate uterus, submucosal fibroids, polyps, adhesions), endocrine problems (thyroid, prolactin, diabetes) and antiphospholipid antibody syndrome. A large share remain unexplained.

A typical RPL work-up includes karyotyping of both partners, assessment of the uterine cavity (hysteroscopy or HSG), thyroid and prolactin tests, diabetes screening, an antiphospholipid panel (repeated 12 weeks apart) and selected thrombophilia testing. Management is cause-directed: aspirin plus low-molecular-weight heparin for antiphospholipid syndrome, surgical correction of structural problems, PGT-A or PGT-SR for chromosomal causes, and close-monitoring with expectant management for unexplained RPL — where many couples still go on to a successful pregnancy. The emotional toll is real; our guide on pregnancy loss and grief and the overview of miscarriage types and recovery may help. A very early loss seen only on a test is a chemical pregnancy.

Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome (OHSS) — an over-response to stimulation causing enlarged ovaries, bloating and fluid shifts. It affects about 1-5% of stimulated cycles, mostly mild. Risk factors include younger age, low BMI, PCOS, high AMH or AFC, many follicles, high estradiol, an hCG trigger and pregnancy in the cycle.

• Mild — bloating, mild discomfort; managed with monitoring, hydration and rest.
• Moderate — more distension, nausea, weight gain; closer monitoring, sometimes cabergoline.
• Severe (rare) — marked pain and distension, breathlessness, reduced urine output, ascites, clotting risk; needs hospital care and can occasionally be life-threatening.

India's fertility care has expanded to most major cities and, increasingly, smaller ones through specialty chains. Choosing well matters for both outcomes and experience.

Types of providers

• National chains — Indira IVF (largest, cost-conscious, present in smaller cities), Nova IVF Fertility, Bourn Hall, and others with standardised protocols.
• Women's-health hospital chains — Cloudnine, with maternity continuity after pregnancy.
• City-focused and boutique centres — e.g. Cocoon Fertility, Bloom IVF, Milann, Ferty9, offering personalised care.
• Hospital-based units — Apollo Fertility, Fortis, Manipal, Max, Medanta, Narayana Health and others.

• Transparent, age-stratified success data (not headline figures)
• Clear, itemised costs including medications and likely additional cycles
• The specialist's training and the embryology lab's track record
• Whether the recommended protocol fits your specific diagnosis
• Counselling and emotional-support services
• Willingness to give a second opinion for complex decisions

Most couples conceive within a year of regular, unprotected intercourse. Standard guidance is to seek evaluation after 12 months of trying if the woman is under 35, and after 6 months if she is 35 or older, because the value of time changes with age. Our getting pregnant between 30 and 35 guide puts realistic timelines in Indian context.

See a specialist sooner (without waiting the full period) if you have:

• Irregular or absent periods, or known PCOS or thyroid problems
• Known or suspected endometriosis, fibroids or pelvic infection history
• Two or more miscarriages
• A known male-factor issue or an abnormal semen analysis
• A single ovary or tube, or prior pelvic surgery
• Plans for fertility preservation before cancer treatment
• A wish to use donor sperm as a single woman or same-sex couple (no need to wait)

• WHO laboratory manual for the examination and processing of human semen, 6th edition (2021)
• Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) — National Guidelines for Accreditation, Supervision and Regulation of ART Clinics
• The Assisted Reproductive Technology (Regulation) Act, 2021 — Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India
• The Surrogacy (Regulation) Act, 2021 — Government of India
• NICE Guideline CG156 — Fertility problems: assessment and treatment (UK National Institute for Health and Care Excellence)
• ACOG — Treating Infertility (American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists)
• Legro RS et al. Letrozole versus Clomiphene for Infertility in the Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PPCOS II), NEJM 2014