| Heredity |
| The passing of a trait such as color of the eyes from parent to child. A person "inherits" these traits through the genes. |
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| High Blood Pressure |
| When the blood flows through the vessels at a greater than normal force. High blood pressure strains the heart; harms the arteries; and increases the risk of heart attack, stroke, and kidney problems. Also called hypertension. |
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| Hirsutism |
| The overabundance of body hair, such as a mustache or pubic hair growing upward toward the navel, found in women with excess androgens. |
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| Homeostatis |
| When the body is working as it should because all of its systems are in balance. |
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| Hormone |
| A chemical released by special cells to tell other cells what to do. For instance, insulin is a hormone made by the beta cells in the pancreas. When released, insulin tells other cells to use glucose (sugar) for energy. |
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| Hostile Mucus |
| Cervical mucus that impedes the natural progress of sperm through the cervical canal. |
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| Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG) |
| The hormone produced by the placenta. hCG levels normally double every other day in early pregnancy. Slowly rising hCG levels indicative of an impending miscarriage or an ectopic pregnancy. Purified hCG is injected to trigger ovulation or egg maturation during ovulation induction and IVF cycles respectively. |
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| Human Menopausal Gonadotropin (HMG) |
| A combination of hormones FSH and LH, which is extracted from the urine of post-menopausal women. Used to induce ovulation in several fertility treatments. Common brand names include Humegon, Repronex, and Pergonal. |
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| Humegon |
| A brand name of Human Menopausal Gonadotropin. |
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| Hyperglycemia |
| Too high a level of glucose (sugar) in the blood; a sign that diabetes is out of control. Many things can cause hyperglycemia. It occurs when the body does not have enough insulin or cannot use the insulin it does have to turn glucose into energy. Signs of hyperglycemia are a great thirst, a dry mouth, and a need to urinate often. |
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| Hyperinsulinism |
| Too high a level of insulin in the blood. This term most often refers to a condition in which the body produces too much insulin. Researchers believe that this condition may play a role in the development of noninsulin-dependent diabetes and in hypertension. |
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| Hyperlipidemia |
| Too high a level of fats (lipids) in the blood. |
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| Hyperprolactinemia |
| A condition in which the pituitary gland secretes too much prolactin. Prolactin can suppress LH and FSH production, reduce sex drive in the man, and directly suppress ovarian function in the woman. |
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| Hypertension |
| Blood pressure that is above the normal range. See also: High blood pressure. |
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| Hypoestrogenic |
| Having lower than normal levels of estrogen. |
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| Hypotension |
| Low blood pressure or a sudden drop in blood pressure. A person rising quickly from a sitting or reclining position may have a sudden fall in blood pressure, causing dizziness or fainting. |
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| Hypothalamic amenorrhea |
| Infrequent ovulation due to lack of the pituitary releasing follicle stimulating hormone. Can be caused by abnormalities in prolactin and thyroid function. Frequently noted among athletic young women with little body fact. |
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| Hypothalamus |
| A part of the brain, the hormonal regulation center, located adjacent to and above the pituitary gland. In both the man and the woman this tissue secretes GnRH every ninety minutes or so. The pulsatile GnRH enables the pituitary gland to secrete LH and FSH, which stimulate the gonads. See also FSH; LH; Ovary; Pituitary Gland; Testicle. |
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| Hypothesis |
| A tentative explanation for an observation, phenomenon, or scientific problem that can be tested by further investigation. |
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| Hysterectomy |
| The surgical removal of the uterus. May also include the removal of other reproductive structures, such as the fallopian tubes and ovaries. |
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| Hysterosalpingogram (HSG) |
| An x-ray of the pelvic organs in which a radio-opaque dye is injected through the cervix into the uterus and fallopian tubes. This test checks for malformations of the uterus and blockage of the fallopian tubes. |
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| Hysteroscopy |
| A procedure in which the doctor checks for uterine abnormalities by inserting a fiber-optic device. Minor surgical repairs can be executed during the procedure. |
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| Hysterosalpingogram |
| Outpatient test performed in radiology to asses the shape of the uterine cavity and whether the fallopian tubes are open. |
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| Hysteroscopy |
| Procedure in which a telescope is inserted through the vagina into the uterine cavity to carefully examine the shape of the uterus. Fibroids and polyps can be identified. |
