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Human Reproduction 2004 19(8):1689-1692; doi:10.1093/humrep/deh314
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Human Reproduction vol. 19 no. 8 © European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology 2004; all rights reserved

Investigation of the infertile couple: when is the appropriate time to explore female infertility?

Ivo Brosens1, Sylvie Gordts, Marion Valkenburg, Patrick Puttemans, Rudi Campo and Stephan Gordts

Leuven Institute for Fertility and Embryology, Tiensevest 168, B-3000, Leuven, Belgium

1 To whom correspondence should be addressed. Email: ivo.brosens{at}med.kuleuven.ac.be

While the appropriate method for the investigation of female infertility continues to be debated, the timing of the investigation has received less attention. The current approach is time-consuming, and paradoxically may lead to overtreatment as well as undertreatment. Recent findings on fecundity and the conception window in humans have important implications for the timing of the investigation of female infertility. The findings support the view that fertility-oriented intercourse may have a major impact in reducing the time to pregnancy. Procedures for the investigation of female infertility are becoming less invasive and more accurate, while the therapies for infertility are more effective. It is proposed that under appropriate circumstances female infertility should be investigated after 6 months of fertility-oriented intercourse.

Key words: endometriosis/infertility exploration/natural family planning/time to pregnancy


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