Habitual abortion
Repeat miscarriages.

Hamster test
A test of the ability of a man’s sperm to penetrate a hamster egg stripped of its outer membrane, the zona pellucida. Also called Hamster Zona-Free Ovum (HZFO) Test or Sperm Penetration Assay (SPA).

Hemizona assay
A laboratory test of the ability of sperm to penetrate into a human egg; first the egg is split in half, then one half is tested against the husband’s sperm and the other half against sperm from a fertile man.

HIPAA
Rights held by qualifying individuals under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPPA) of 1996. HIPPA was implemented in 2000 by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services with the issuing of the “Privacy Rule”. This established a set of national standards regarding patient data, privacy, and security. For more information on HIPPA, please ask at reception for a packet.

Hirsutism
Excessive hair growth.

Hormone
A substance, produced by an endocrine gland, that travels through the bloodstream to a specific organ, where it exerts its effect.

Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG)
The hormone produced early in pregnancy to keep the corpus luteum producing progesterone; may be injected to stimulate ovulation and progesterone production.

Human menopausal gonadotropin (hMG)
An ovulation drug, containing follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH), derived from the urine of postmenopausal women.

Hydrotubation
Injection of fluid, often into the fallopian tubes to determine if they are open.

Hyperandrogenism
Excessive production of androgens in women, frequently a cause of hirsutism and also associated with polycystic ovarian disease (PCOD).

Hyperprolactinemia
Excessive prolactin in the blood.

Hyperstimulation
Excessive stimulation of the ovaries that can cause them to become enlarged.

Hyperstimulation syndrome
A possible side effect of treatment with human menopausal gonadotropin in which the ovaries become painful and swollen and fluid may accumulate in the abdomen and chest.

Hypothalamus
The endocrine gland at the center of the brain that produces gonadotropin releasing hormone and controls pituitary function.

Hypothyroidism
Underactivity of the thyroid gland.

Hysterectomy
Surgical removal of the uterus.

Hysterosalpingogram (HSG)
An X-ray examination of the uterus and fallopian tubes.

Hysteroscopy
A diagnostic procedure in which the physician uses a fiber optic scope, inserted through the vagina and cervical canal, to examine of the inside of the uterus.