The tissue lining the womb (uterus) grows into the muscular wall of the womb. This tissue continues to thicken, break down and bleed during each menstrual cycle. Symptoms can include painful periods and heavy bleeding.

Scar tissue that can join together internal organs or cause tissue in the abdomen to stick together. A consultant described it to me as similar to chewing gum. Adhesions form when the body tries to heal and repair itself e.g. following surgery. I have experienced issues where my bowel has become stuck down by adhesions. I have then needed a bowel consultant to be present during my surgery.

The absence of menstrual periods. This could be due to hormone disruption (for example). Speak to your GP or Consultant though.

AMH levels are tested to review your ovarian egg reserve and therefore your fertility. It is done via a blood test. 

Colorectal surgeons treat conditions of the lower gastrointestinal tract e.g. the colon or rectum. These conditions may include cancers and polyps, pelvic organ prolapse and inflammatory bowel diseases. A Colorectal surgeon may need to be involved in your surgery, especially if you have had endometrium tissue removed from the bowels.

A procedure where tissue is removed from inside the uterus. The procedure is used to diagnose and treat uterine conditions such as abnormal bleeding.

Painful sexual intercourse (during and/or after). 

A condition where tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows outside the uterus. For example on the ovaries or fallopian tubes.

Growths made up of muscular or fibrous tissue that can develop in or around the uterus. 

FSH is a hormone released by the pituitary gland. It controls the menstrual cycle and triggers the ovaries to produce eggs. The blood test is used to measure the level of FSH. It can also be used to evaluate menopause.

A blocked/swollen fallopian tube that may be leaking fluid.

A hysteroscope (a thin telescope with a light and camera at the end) is used to examine the inside of the womb (uterus). This procedure can be extremely painful for a lot of women. I would ask for it to be done using an anesthetic.

IntraCytoplasmic Sperm Injection. This is where the embryologist selects single sperm and injects it into the egg using a microscopic needle before implantation.

In vitro fertilisation is where an egg is removed from the woman's ovaries and then fertilised with sperm in a laboratory to create an embryo. The embryo is then transferred to the woman's uterus to hopefully implant, grow and develop. 

Keyhole surgery performed using a laparoscope (a thin tube that has a camera), and making small incisions into the abdomen or pelvis. This type of surgery is used to diagnose and treat conditions such as endometriosis, fibroids, pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) and some cancers.

'Long protocol' refers to the traditional or standard regime of IVF treatment.

This protocol typically involves daily injections of medication to help ‘switch off’ your ovaries. The protocol usually starts at around day 21 of your cycle, followed by ovarian stimulation with follicle-stimulating hormones (FSH). During this time your fertility clinic will continue to monitor you to check when your follicles are at the right size and stage of development ready for egg collection. In total, a ‘long protocol’ regime can take approximately four weeks.

A group of health and care staff who may be of professions (e.g. GPs, social workers, nurses), that work together to make decisions regarding the treatment of individual patients.

This is a surgery used to remove fibroids.

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are medicines commonly used to relieve pain and reduce inflammation.

A ‘short protocol’ is used when there is a chance of either an excessive response to stimulation (Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome (OHSS)) or where there has been a poor response to the long protocol regime.

The 'short protocol regime' can take approximately 2 - 3 weeks.