Must-Know Fertility Words for Every Stage of Your Journey, Part 3: Treatment and Procedures

Fertility treatment comes with a lot of new terminology. Once procedures and lab work are part of your routine, words like "blastocyst," "ICSI," and "PGT" start showing up in reports, consent forms, and conversations with your care team. It helps to know what they mean before you're in the middle of it. 

This is Part 3 of our fertility glossary series, focused on treatment and procedures. If you'd like to start from the beginning, Part 1 covers evaluation and Part 2 covers preparation. Each entry below explains what a term means, when you'll hear it, and why it matters to your plan.  

You deserve clarity at every stage of your treatment, and this glossary is a good place to start. 

Glossary of Fertility Terms: Treatment and Procedures 

The terms below appear during active treatment. Each entry explains what the term means, when patients typically encounter it, and how it connects to treatment planning. 

Assisted Hatching 

Assisted hatching is a lab technique where an embryologist thins or creates a small opening in the embryo's outer shell, called the zona pellucida. This can help the embryo implant into the uterine lining. 

Patients typically hear this term during discussions about embryo quality, repeated IVF cycles, or advanced maternal age. Not all embryos require it and some studies show improved implantation rates with laser-assisted hatching in specific patient groups. 

Blastocyst 

A blastocyst is an embryo that has developed for five to six days after fertilization. At this stage, it has a hollow fluid-filled center and two distinct cell groups: the inner cell mass and the trophectoderm. 

Blastocyst transfers are common because embryos that reach this stage are more likely to implant. Some embryos will not reach this stage. This is normal and does not mean the cycle has failed. 

Cryopreservation 

Cryopreservation is the process of freezing embryos or eggs for future use. The technique, called vitrification, cools cells rapidly to prevent ice crystal formation. Around 95% of embryos and eggs survive thawing. 

Patients hear this term when multiple embryos are created during IVF, when discussing egg freezing, or when genetic testing requires a pause before transfer. Embryos can be stored for years without compromising success rates. 

Egg Collection 

Egg collection, also called egg retrieval, is the procedure where mature eggs are removed from the ovaries using a thin needle guided by ultrasound. It takes place approximately 36 hours after the trigger shot discussed in Part 2. 

The procedure is performed under sedation and typically lasts 20 to 30 minutes. The number of eggs retrieved matters, but so do quality and maturity. 

Embryo 

An embryo is the term for a fertilized egg during its first days of development in the lab. Patients begin hearing this word the day after egg collection, starting with the fertilization report and continuing through lab updates until transfer. 

Embryos are graded based on cell number, symmetry, and fragmentation. Depending on the treatment plan, they can be transferred at day three or allowed to develop to the blastocyst stage at day five or six. 

Embryo Transfer 

Embryo transfer is the procedure where one or more embryos are placed into the uterus using a thin catheter. The procedure takes five to ten minutes and does not require anesthesia. 

Timing depends on uterine lining readiness, embryo development, and whether the transfer is fresh or frozen. Your care team at FWIO will guide you through scheduling and preparation. 

Fertilization 

Fertilization is the process where sperm and egg combine to create an embryo. This happens through conventional insemination, where sperm are placed around eggs in a dish, or through ICSI. 

Patients receive a fertilization report the day after egg collection detailing how many eggs fertilized successfully. Typical rates range between 60 and 80 percent of mature eggs, though this varies by clinic and patient.

Frozen Embryo Transfer (FET) 

A frozen embryo transfer is the transfer of a previously cryopreserved embryo during a separate cycle from egg retrieval. Patients hear this term if genetic testing requires freezing while results are processed, or if hormone levels aren't optimal for a fresh transfer. 

Some studies report live birth rates around 74% for frozen transfers compared to 54% for fresh in certain populations, likely because the uterus is not recovering from ovarian stimulation. A FET is a strategic decision. 

Intra-Cytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI) 

ICSI is a procedure where a single sperm is injected directly into a mature egg. Patients hear this term during treatment planning if semen analysis shows low sperm count, poor motility, or abnormal morphology, as discussed in Part 1. 

ICSI is also common in PGT cycles to avoid contamination from extra sperm. The procedure carries additional cost but significantly improves outcomes for specific cases. 

Intrauterine Insemination (IUI) 

Intrauterine insemination is a procedure where washed and prepared sperm are placed directly into the uterus during ovulation, bypassing the cervix to improve the chance of sperm reaching the egg. 

It is often a first-line treatment for unexplained infertility, mild male factor issues, or ovulatory disorders discussed in Part 2. Success rates typically range from 10 to 20 percent per cycle. Most clinics recommend three to six cycles before considering IVF. Learn more about IUI at The Fertility Wellness Institute of Ohio. 

In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) 

In vitro fertilization is a process where eggs are retrieved from the ovaries, fertilized with sperm in a lab, and resulting embryos are transferred into the uterus. IVF is a sequence of coordinated steps: stimulation, egg collection, fertilization, embryo development, and embryo transfer. 

Success rates depend on age. Some clinics report live birth rates near 48% for patients 35 and under, dropping to about 12% for patients over 42. Explore IVF services at FWIO to learn how the process is structured for your plan. 

Preimplantation Genetic Testing (PGT) 

Preimplantation genetic testing is performed on embryos before transfer. PGT-A screens for chromosome number abnormalities. PGT-M tests for specific inherited genetic conditions. PGT-SR screens for chromosomal structural rearrangements. 

The process involves biopsying a few cells from the embryo at the blastocyst stage. Embryos are then frozen while awaiting results, and only tested embryos are transferred during a later FET cycle. Testing reduces miscarriage risk and increases live birth rates per transfer, though it adds cost. 

Semen Analysis 

A semen analysis is a lab test that evaluates sperm count, motility, morphology, and volume. Patients often encounter this term during initial fertility evaluation, before starting IUI or IVF, or if prior cycles had poor fertilization. 

Low sperm count or poor motility may lead to ICSI, lifestyle adjustments, or further male fertility testing. Preparation typically requires two to five days of abstinence before collection. 

Your Next Step with The Fertility Wellness Institute of Ohio 

Understanding fertility treatment terms gives you a stronger foundation for the conversations that matter most during treatment. You don't need to memorize every definition.  

Having a reference to turn to means you can ask better questions and participate in decisions about your care with confidence. 

At The Fertility Wellness Institute of Ohio, we value informed and collaborative decision-making. Whether you are considering treatment or already in a cycle, contact us today to schedule a consultation or ask questions.  

We are here to support you with clarity, compassion, and personalized care.