Medical Vocabulary & IVF

English Practice — Vocabulary, Reading & Speaking Practice

This worksheet teaches key medical vocabulary related to IVF (in vitro fertilization) and fertility treatment. You’ll learn essential terms through definitions and examples, practice them with matching and fill-in-the-blank exercises, read a short story that uses the vocabulary in context, and practice speaking about medical topics — including a doctor’s-office roleplay.

It’s designed for self-study: every exercise gives instant feedback, so you can check your answers as you go.

CEFR B1–B2 Self-study friendly Instant feedback

Before You Begin: Discussion Questions

Think about these questions before you start. You can discuss them with a teacher or partner, or just think about your answers.

1. What do you know about IVF (in vitro fertilization)?
Share anything you’ve heard or read, even if you’re not sure it’s correct.
2. Have you or someone you know gone through fertility treatment?
If you’d rather not share personal details, you can talk about it in general terms.
3. What medical words in English do you already know?
Think about words for hospitals, doctors, medicine, or the body.
4. Why do you think it’s useful to learn medical vocabulary in a foreign language?
Think about appointments, describing symptoms, or understanding a doctor.

New Vocabulary: Medical Terms

Read through these words and definitions. We will practice them next.

IVF (In Vitro Fertilization) /ˌaɪ viː ˈef/
A medical process where an egg is fertilized outside the body, then placed back into the uterus to grow.
“They decided to try IVF after trying to get pregnant naturally for two years.”
Embryo /ˈem.bri.oʊ/
A fertilized egg in the very early stage of development, before it becomes a fetus.
“The doctor transferred two embryos into the uterus.”
Fetus /ˈfiː.təs/
An unborn baby, usually from the 8th week of pregnancy until birth.
“The doctor checked the fetus on the ultrasound to make sure it was growing well.”
Progesterone /proʊˈdʒes.tə.roʊn/
A hormone that helps the body prepare for and maintain pregnancy.
“She takes progesterone every day to support the pregnancy.”
Injections /ɪnˈdʒek.ʃənz/
Medicine given with a needle into the body (a shot).
“She has to give herself injections every morning during the IVF treatment.”
Medically induced menopause /ˈmed.ɪ.kəl.i ɪnˈduːst ˈmen.ə.pɔːz/
A temporary state where menstrual cycles stop because of medical treatment (like IVF drugs). It is not permanent like natural menopause.
“The IVF drugs put her body into a state of medically induced menopause before the procedure.”
Hot flashes /hɒt ˈflæʃ.ɪz/
A sudden feeling of heat in the body, often in the face and chest. Common during menopause.
“She started having hot flashes during the treatment — her face would suddenly feel very warm.”
Multifetal pregnancy /ˌmʌl.tiˈfiː.təl ˈpreg.nən.si/
A pregnancy with more than one baby (twins, triplets, etc.). Also called a “multiple pregnancy.”
“With IVF, there is a higher chance of a multifetal pregnancy because more than one embryo may be transferred.”
Deviations /ˌdiː.viˈeɪ.ʃənz/
Differences from what is normal or expected. In medicine, it means results that are not typical. A doctor might say “no deviations” to mean everything is normal.
“The doctor said there were no deviations in the blood test results — everything looked normal.”

Vocabulary Practice: Match the Word

Choose the correct definition for each word.

1. Embryo
2. Hot flashes
3. Progesterone
4. Multifetal pregnancy
5. Injections
6. Deviations
7. Fetus
8. Medically induced menopause
9. IVF

Reading: Maria’s IVF Journey

Read the text. The highlighted words are your new vocabulary.

Maria and her husband had been trying to have a baby for three years. They went to a fertility clinic and the doctor recommended IVF. He explained the process step by step.

First, Maria had to give herself injections of hormones every day. These hormones put her body into a state of medically induced menopause. It felt strange — she started having hot flashes at night and sometimes during the day. Her face would suddenly feel very warm.

After two weeks, the doctors collected the eggs and fertilized them in the laboratory. A few days later, they placed one embryo into Maria’s uterus. They decided to transfer only one to reduce the risk of a multifetal pregnancy, which can be more difficult for both the mother and the babies.

Maria had to take progesterone every day to help her body maintain the pregnancy. Two weeks later, she did a blood test. The doctor called her and said there were no deviations in the results — everything looked normal. The fetus was growing well.

Maria was very happy, but she also felt nervous. She knew the first three months were the most important. She tried to stay calm and follow all the doctor’s instructions.

Comprehension Questions

1. How long did Maria and her husband try before going to the clinic?
2. What did the injections do to Maria’s body?
3. Why did they transfer only one embryo?
4. What did the doctor say about the blood test results?
5. What does “progesterone” do in this story?

Fill in the Blank

Type the correct word from the vocabulary list.

1. The doctor recommended because they had been trying for three years.
2. She had to give herself every morning.
3. The drugs caused hot flashes because they put her body into medically induced .
4. The doctors placed one into her uterus.
5. Taking helps the body maintain the pregnancy.
6. The doctor said there were no in the results.
7. A is an unborn baby from the 8th week.
8. Transferring more than one embryo increases the chance of a pregnancy.

Speaking Practice

Use the new vocabulary to answer these questions. Try to speak in full sentences.

1. Imagine a friend is going through IVF. What questions do you think she might have for her doctor?
Try to use: IVF, injections, doctor
2. Imagine you are at a doctor’s appointment. The doctor asks you to describe your symptoms. What do you say?
Try to use: hot flashes, progesterone, injection
3. Why do you think doctors prefer to transfer only one embryo? What are the risks of a multifetal pregnancy?
Try to use: embryo, multifetal pregnancy, risk
4. Retell Maria’s story in your own words. Use at least 5 vocabulary words.
Try to use: IVF, embryo, fetus, progesterone, deviations

Mini Roleplay: At the Doctor’s Office

Imagine you are at your next check-up. The doctor asks you these questions. Answer each one using the vocabulary you learned today. Take turns with your teacher or a partner — one person is the doctor, the other is the patient.

Doctor: “So, how have you been feeling since the last visit? Have you noticed any hot flashes or other side effects from the treatment?”
Patient: describe how you feel using: hot flashes, injections, progesterone
Doctor: “Are you taking your progesterone every day? And how are the daily injections going — any pain or problems?”
Patient: talk about your routine using: progesterone, injections, every day
Doctor: “We transferred one embryo last time. Do you understand why we chose to transfer only one?”
Patient: explain using: embryo, multifetal pregnancy, risk
Doctor: “Your blood tests look good — there are no deviations. But I need to ask: have you had any bleeding or pain?”
Patient: respond using: deviations, normal, pain
Doctor: “The fetus is growing well on the ultrasound. Do you have any questions about the next steps?”
Patient: ask about: fetus, next steps, ultrasound
Doctor: “Because you had medically induced menopause during the IVF process, we will keep checking your hormone levels. How are you feeling emotionally?”
Patient: share feelings using: medically induced menopause, IVF, hormones
Doctor: “If this round is not successful, we can discuss other options. But for now — is there anything you are worried about?”
Patient: talk about worries using: IVF, embryo, worried, next time

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