GenSelect Glossary
Amenorrhea
Absence of menstruation
Androgens
Refers to male reproductive hormones, such as testosterone. These hormones may be produced in excess by the female in certain conditions such as PCOS
Alkaline, Alkali, Alkalinity
A chemical substance that is soluble in water, neutralizes acids and forms salts with them. An alkali has a pH above 7 and turns red litmus paper blue
Anovulation, Anovulatory Cycle
The state of not ovulating or a fertility cycle without ovulation. An anovulatory cycle may happen due to various factors; menopause, stress, exercise, travel, illness and drugs etc. Generally, it is not a cause for concern, however, consult your doctor should it happens frequently
The Basal Body Temperature (BBT) method measures variations in body temperature to determine when ovulation has occurred. Normally, body temperature decreases slightly just before ovulation and begins to rise for several days afterward. The temperature remains slightly elevated until menstruation begins. With this method, a woman takes her temperature every morning before getting out of bed using a basal thermometer, which has an expanded scale to show slight changes in temperature between 36° C (96° F) and 38° C (100° F). The name ‘basal’ is derived from the fact it is a measurement of the ‘base’ temperature ie. when one is at rest or under as little stress as possible.
A soft silver-white element that is an alkaline earth metal constituting about three percent of the earth’s crust. A very important mineral primarily for maintain the bone structure of human beings and in term of gender preselection, studies show Calcium and Magnesium may render the reproductive system more attractive to the X-sperm, which is the gender determining factor for a baby Girl
Clear slimy lubricating substance secreted by Cervix that serves several purposes in human reproduction:
1. as a natural lubricant to facilitate sexual intercourse
2. provides nutrients for sperm to live for up to 4-5 days
3. provides sperm with a conductive environment to travel to the fallopian tubes
Cervical mucus is the principal element enabling conception to take place. Without its presence, sperm would die within a few hours.
Neck of the womb, consisting of a narrow passage leading to the vagina
Conceive, Conception
Become pregnant with a child
Cycle
Refers to the menstrual cycle
Invalidated Basal Body Temperature (BBT) due to early or late rising, sickness, physical exertion, hangover etc. It should not be confused with temperatures invalidated by Rule of Thumb, which are outlying temperatures with no valid basis for being outside of the norm. The system will automatically adjust disturbed temperature caused by early or late rising as long as the observation take place within 90 minutes from the normal time.
Egg (Ovum)
The female reproductive cell
Embryo
A human offspring in the early stages following conception up to the end of the eighth week, after which it is classified as a fetus
Endometrium
The inside lining of the uterus where implantation of the embryo occurs. It sheds every month in response to estrogen and progesterone stimulation. If pregnancy occurs, the endometrium will not shed
The major female hormone secreted by by developing follicles and eventually by the dominant follicle in the ovaries. A normally menstruating woman ovulates once a month about 14 days after the start of the menstrual cycle. The developing follicle (a balloon-like space in the ovary that contains the egg) secretes estrogen as it grows. The level of this hormone peaks at the time of ovulation; it then drops for several days and peaks again about a week after ovulation. Estrogen is responsible for the normal growth and differentiation of the follicle and the egg. It also plays an important role in preparing the endometrial lining for implantation. Estrogen also changes the quality and texture of the Cervical Mucus (CM), making it thinner and more elastic. This allows the normal passage of sperm through the Cervix towards the uterus and the fallopian tube where the sperm meets the ovum (egg). Most important of all, estrogen causes Luteinizing Hormone (LH) to be released to trigger ovulation. Estrogen also causes the vagina to be moist and healthy in addition to its beneficial effects on bone and the cardiovascular system.
Fecundability
The ability to become pregnant
Fertile, Fertility
Capable of breeding or reproducing offspring
Fertilize, Fertilization
The process of enabling reproduction by insemination in which gametes, a man’s sperm and a woman’s egg or ovum fuse together to produce a single cell called zygote that develops into an adult organism
An unborn vertebrate at a stage when all the structural features of the adult are recognizable, especially an unborn human offspring after eight weeks of development
Choosing the sex of a baby before conception either by artificial techniques or natural methodologies.
Gene The unit of heredity, composed of DNA; the building block of chromosomes
Hormone
A chemical substance produced in the body’s endocrine glands or certain other cells that exerts a regulatory or stimulatory effect
Infertile, Infertility
Inability of a couple to achieve a pregnancy or to carry a pregnancy to term after one year of unprotected intercourse in women 35 years of age and younger, and after six months of unprotected intercourse in women 36 years of age and older
Sexual intercourse, physical sexual activity between human beings that involves the genitals
Luteal Phase, Luteal Phase Length
The stage of the menstrual cycle between the formation of Corpus Luteum a (yellow mass of tissue) after the release of an ovum and the start of the next period. After ovulation, progesterone will be released by Corpus Luteum in order to maintain endometrium for about 12-16 days as the length of the phase. Individually, the length does not normally vary much more than a day or two. If your average length happens to be shorter than 10 days where it normally take 7-10 days for implantation of an fertilized egg to accomplish, chances are your endometrium could not be maintained long enough for the purpose this may render achieving pregnancy extremely difficult.
An excellent indicator of ovulation. This hormone is secreted by pituitary gland in small amount during the early part of the cycle and then released in abundance roughly 24 hours ovulation before ovulation. Along with FSH, it is one of the two most important hormones that regulate ovarian function. The role of LH is to trigger ovulation and help prepare the endometrial lining for implantation.
A light silver-white metallic element that occurs naturally in compounds and is used in alloys, metallurgy, photography, and fireworks. In term of gender preselection, studies show Calcium and Magnesium may render the reproductive system more attractive to the X-sperm, which is the gender determining factor for a baby Girl.
The monthly process of discharging blood and other matter from the womb that occurs between puberty and menopause in women and female primates who are not pregnant
Menstrual Cycle, Fertility Cycle
A typical menstrual cycle lasts 28 days. It begins with three to five days of menstruation, the shedding of the uterine lining, during which hormone levels are low. At the end of menstruation, a pituitary hormone stimulates new follicles to develop in the ovary. These secrete estrogen as they mature, causing cells in the lining of the uterus to proliferate. During the mid-cycle, one mature follicle releases an egg. The empty follicle forms the corpus luteum, an endocrine body that secretes progesterone. Under the added influence of progesterone, the uterine lining thickens further and swells in preparation for the implantation of a fertilized egg. If fertilization does not take place, the corpus luteum dies and hormone levels fall. Without hormonal support, the uterine lining disintegrates and discharges, beginning a new menstrual period and cycle.
Miscarriage
Spontaneous abortion
A German word referring to the middle of the menstrual cycle and a pain that is felt at the time of ovulation in the lower abdomen, usually on the right side
Motility
Motion, such as the forward swimming motion of healthy sperm
Mucus
Secretion from a gland that can be watery, gel-like, stretchy, sticky, or dry; fertile mucus is watery and stretchy
Obstetrician-gynecologist (ObGYN)
A physician who specializes in the treatment of female disorders and pregnancy
Oligomenorrhea
Infrequent and irregular menstrual cycles
Not transmiting light. Impenetrable to sight. In terms of cervical mucus, opaque refers to a state where the mucus is still not transparent.
Ovary
Ovaries produce reproductive cells called egg, or ovum are oblong, flattened, ductless glands, about 3.8 cm (about 1.5 in) long, on either side of the uterus, to which they are connected by the Fallopian tubes. The ovary secretes hormone estrogen and progesterone that contribute to secondary female sexual characteristics and also regulate menstruation.
Ovary
The female gonad; produces eggs and female hormones
Ovulation
Release of an egg from the ovary
Ovulatory Pain
see Mittelschmerz
Ovum
Female reproductive cell
Ovulation
The ripening and discharge of an egg or eggs from the ovary for possible fertilization
Peak Day, Peak Symptoms, Peak Fertility
The day ovulation occurs and when Basal Body Temperature (BBT) will take a sharp dip prior to raising perceptibly. It will remain at a higher point until the next cycle nears. At the same time, Cervical Mucus (CM) will resemble raw egg white, relatively abundant in volume, its texture will become very watery and slippery, and it will be highly stretchable in nature. Other observable symptoms during ovulation include ovulatory pain (Mittelschmerz), spotting, and Luteinizing Hormone (LH) surge.
For most women, Cervical Mucus (CM) at its peak will resemble raw egg white, relatively abundant in volume, its texture will become very watery and slippery and it will be highly stretchable in nature. However, some women only secrete a lesser ‘fertile’ looking CM during their Peak Day and this will render the situation unpredictable without appropriate adjustments. Therefore, Peak Day Phenomenon is an advanced feature especially designed to allow the system to adjust according to the peculiar situation of certain women so that a more accurate computation can be derived
Phase 1
All fertility or menstrual cycle and thus the first phase begins with menstruation. This is a pre-ovulatory infertile phase and typically, it is consist of a few days of menstruation followed by a few dry days before ending upon the appearance of Cervical Mucus (CM).
This is the fertile phase where ovulation is expected to take place during the middle of the cycle. Cervical Mucus (CM) will normally appear in relatively small amount at first. It is thick, tacky, cloudy, and often yellowish in color. Most obvious of all is its elastic characteristics; it is hardly stretchable and will break up easily. As the level of estrogen increases further, mucus will become clearer and eventually resemble raw egg white. By then, the CM will be relatively abundant in volume, its texture will become very watery and slippery, and it will be highly stretchable in nature. At about the same time, Basal Body Temperature (BBT) will typically take a sharp dip before rising perceptibly and eventually remaining at a higher level. Under normal circumstances, ovulation is said to have occurred half way between the dip and the sustained high temperature in BBT. Some women may also experience additional symptoms such as spotting and ovulatory pain (Mittelschmerz) during ovulation. The infertile Phase 3 will follow 1-2 days afterwards. This period between Ovulation and the next menstruation is known as the Luteal Phase.
Phase 3 is generally the least significant in fertility planning because ovulation is already over. It is an infertile phase, but Basal Body Temperature (BBT) should continue to be recorded daily.
A soft, silvery-white, very reactive element of the alkali metal group, commonly found combined with other minerals. In term of gender preselection, studies show Potassium and Sodium may render the reproductive system more attractive to the Y-sperm, the gender determining factor for a baby Boy.
If Cervical Mucus (CM) is not detectable by wiping the outer portion of the vagina with a clean tissue, the alternative is to probe for it by with a clean finger. The proper technique is to place the right foot on a chair or stool, lean forward a little with the right elbow resting on the leg just above the knee, and press on the abdomen just above the pubis with the left hand. This will depress the uterus and push the cervix forward, making it easier to insert the index and middle fingers of the right hand into the vagina and gently touch the cervix, which will feel a little like the tip of the nose. If CM is present, you should be able to feel it and retrieve some for observation.
The hormone produced by the corpus luteum following ovulation which maintains the thickness of the endometrium in anticipation of implantation by a fertilized ovum. Progesterone causes your body temperature to rise perceptibly and is the basis for identifying a Thermal Shift in estimating ovulation and the end of your fertile phase.
To produce or discharge substance from the cells and fluids within a gland or organ
Semen
The fluid containing sperm and secretions from the testicles, prostate, and seminal vesicles that is expelled from the male during ejaculation
A soft, silver-white, metallic chemical element that reacts readily with other substances. It is essential to the body’s fluid balance and occurs in abundance, especially in common salt. In term of gender preselection, studies show Sodium and Potassium render the reproductive system more attractive to the Y-sperm, which is the gender determining factor for a baby Boy
Spotting refers to light blood shed that occurs between two menstruations. There are basically 3 types of spotting:
1. Midcycle Spotting – Generally, an indicator of high fertility. This type will normally occur around ovulation as a result of shedding of excessive layers of endometrium which have built up under the influence of estrogen.
2. Implantation Spotting – An indicator of a possible pregnancy. This type will usually occur 7-10 days after ovulation.
3. Pre-Menstrual Spotting – This is early shedding of endometrium as progesterone level drops, which may begin a day or two before the actual menstruation.
Testosterone
The primary male sex hormone
Obvious shift of body temperature level above the trend line on an ovulation chart (BBT) indicating that ovulation may have occurred. The shift is caused by progesterone released by Corpus Luteum immediately after the ovulation. The body temperature rise is typically at least 0.2 F / 0.1 C above the highest temperatures recorded previously.
A hollow muscular organ (as big as a small pear) present in the pelvis. It is connected to the vagina by the cervix and to the abdominal cavity by the fallopian tubes. Its main function is to contain and nourish the fertilized egg as it develops into an embryo, a fetus, and eventually a baby. It is lined by a thick layer of specialized glandular cells called the endometrium.
Womb
See Uterus
The female organ of sexual intercourse; the birth canal
The female-bearing, oval-headed, and relatively bigger X-sperm swims slower but lives much longer and has great staying power against the hazards of the vaginal environment. They can survive 5-6 days, and are also called Gynesperm.
Y-Sperm
The male-bearing, round-headed, and relatively smaller Y-sperm swims quickly because of a longer tail. Also known as Androsperm, Y-Sperm die within 2 days.
Good News!
There's good news about choosing the sex of your child.
Welcome to GenSelect's most complete resource for information regarding Preconception Gender Selection (PGS).
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