Medical dictionary

What is fertility preservation? Fertility preservation is the process of collecting, freezing, and storing eggs, sperm and embryos as a way of protecting an individual’s ability to have children in the future. This treatment is particularly relevant for people undergoing medical treatments or facing life circumstances that could impair their fertility, such as cancer therapies,

What is fertility-sparing surgery? Fertility-sparing surgery preserves the female body’s ability to conceive and is usually carried out on cancer patients where this type of surgery is deemed the best option for their case.   Why is fertility-sparing surgery done? Fertility can be damaged by a single cancer therapy session, so sometimes surgery to avoid infertility is

What are fertility tests? If you have been trying to conceive for over a year but have been unsuccessful, it is recommended to have some tests to determine your fertility. These tests can then indicate whether assisted conception measures will help to achieve pregnancy. Fertility tests are carried out on both women and men. What do fertility tests consist of? Fertility tests will us

What are fertility treatments? Fertility treatments are typically given by a fertility specialist or fertility doctor, often an obstetrician/gynaecologist specialising in the issues and treatment surrounding infertility. The sub-specialty is often referred to as 'reproductive medicine', dealing with the prevention, diagnosis and management of reproductive problems. What cond

Three weeks after the first day of your last period, your fertilised egg (ovum) moves slowly towards the uterus. From that moment on and for the following 35 weeks, the embryo develops and becomes a foetus. The baby will continue to grow inside the uterine cavity up until the delivery date. You’ll probably start to feel your baby moving about from weeks 15 to 22.   Month 1

What is foetal (fetal) medicine? Foetal/fetal medicine, or maternal-fetal medicine (MFM) focuses on managing health concerns which a mother and foetus may experience before, during, and immediately after pregnancy. Fetal medicine is also referred to as perinatology. Fetal medicine specialists are obstetricians/gynaecologists who later train in how to assess and manage high-risk pregnancies. The

What are fibroids? Fibroids are benign (non-cancerous) growths found anywhere in and around the uterus, which are made up of muscle and fibrous tissue. They are also known as uterine fibroids or myomas. Although only one uterine fibroid may develop, in most cases there will be several. These can vary in size from one millimetre to big masses that may expand and distort the uterus

What is foetal surgery? Foetal surgery is a surgical procedure performed on a foetus while it is in the womb of the mother. It is rare; only 1 in 1,000 pregnancies require this type of operation. It is a growing area of medicine that can save the life of a baby who has a malformation or disease.     Why is it done? In the past, foetal surgery was done only in

What is functional medicine? Functional medicine digs to the cellular level to restore homeostasis (biochemical equilibrium within the cells). It allows the physician to modulate in a more refined way the body response to any aggressions whether infectious, inflammatory or psychologically stress. It pays careful attention for example to toxic overload, proposing detoxification of th