Towards less confusing terminology in reproductive medicine: a proposal

JDF Habbema; J Collins; H Leridon; JLH Evers; B Lunenfeld; ER te Velde

doi:10.1093/humrep/deh303

Towards less confusing terminology in reproductive medicine: a proposal

JDF Habbema^*
, J Collins
, H Leridon
, JLH Evers
, B Lunenfeld
, ER te Velde

^*Corresponding author for this work

University of Groningen

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Academic › peer-review

78 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The use of the term 'infertility' and related terms in reproductive medicine is reviewed. Current terminology is found to be ambiguous, confusing and misleading. We recommend that the fertility investigation report of a couple should consist of statements concerning description, diagnosis and prognosis. The description concerns the duration of non-pregnancy before consulting the clinician. A system for prognostic grading is proposed. The fertility investigation report forms the basis for further action, including the possibility of waiting with treatment in case of almost normal or only slightly reduced fertility. The use of the terms infertility, subfertility and fecundity is not necessary, and it is recommended to avoid them.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	1497-1501
Number of pages	5
Journal	Human Reproduction
Volume	19
Issue number	7
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1093/humrep/deh303
Publication status	Published - Jul-2004

Keywords

fecundity
infertility
prognostic grading system
subfertility
terminology
SUBFERTILE COUPLES
PROGNOSIS

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title = "Towards less confusing terminology in reproductive medicine: a proposal",

abstract = "The use of the term 'infertility' and related terms in reproductive medicine is reviewed. Current terminology is found to be ambiguous, confusing and misleading. We recommend that the fertility investigation report of a couple should consist of statements concerning description, diagnosis and prognosis. The description concerns the duration of non-pregnancy before consulting the clinician. A system for prognostic grading is proposed. The fertility investigation report forms the basis for further action, including the possibility of waiting with treatment in case of almost normal or only slightly reduced fertility. The use of the terms infertility, subfertility and fecundity is not necessary, and it is recommended to avoid them.",

keywords = "fecundity, infertility, prognostic grading system, subfertility, terminology, SUBFERTILE COUPLES, PROGNOSIS",

author = "JDF Habbema and J Collins and H Leridon and JLH Evers and B Lunenfeld and \{te Velde\}, ER",

year = "2004",

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T1 - Towards less confusing terminology in reproductive medicine

T2 - a proposal

AU - Habbema, JDF

AU - Collins, J

AU - Leridon, H

AU - Evers, JLH

AU - Lunenfeld, B

AU - te Velde, ER

PY - 2004/7

Y1 - 2004/7

N2 - The use of the term 'infertility' and related terms in reproductive medicine is reviewed. Current terminology is found to be ambiguous, confusing and misleading. We recommend that the fertility investigation report of a couple should consist of statements concerning description, diagnosis and prognosis. The description concerns the duration of non-pregnancy before consulting the clinician. A system for prognostic grading is proposed. The fertility investigation report forms the basis for further action, including the possibility of waiting with treatment in case of almost normal or only slightly reduced fertility. The use of the terms infertility, subfertility and fecundity is not necessary, and it is recommended to avoid them.

AB - The use of the term 'infertility' and related terms in reproductive medicine is reviewed. Current terminology is found to be ambiguous, confusing and misleading. We recommend that the fertility investigation report of a couple should consist of statements concerning description, diagnosis and prognosis. The description concerns the duration of non-pregnancy before consulting the clinician. A system for prognostic grading is proposed. The fertility investigation report forms the basis for further action, including the possibility of waiting with treatment in case of almost normal or only slightly reduced fertility. The use of the terms infertility, subfertility and fecundity is not necessary, and it is recommended to avoid them.

KW - fecundity

KW - infertility

KW - prognostic grading system

KW - subfertility

KW - terminology

KW - SUBFERTILE COUPLES

KW - PROGNOSIS

U2 - 10.1093/humrep/deh303

DO - 10.1093/humrep/deh303

M3 - Article

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VL - 19

SP - 1497

EP - 1501

JO - Human Reproduction

JF - Human Reproduction

IS - 7

ER -

Towards less confusing terminology in reproductive medicine: a proposal

Abstract

Keywords

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