European postcoital tests: opinions and practice.
OBJECTIVE
To assess differences in opinion and practice with regard to the postcoital test in Europe.


METHODS
Multilingual questionnaire survey among heads of departments of obstetrics and gynaecology with large fertility clinics in 16 European countries.


METHODS
Of 203 heads of departments, each responsible for 882 infertility cases per year (95% CI 657-1107) 145 (71%) responded. INFORMATION SOUGHT: Use of the postcoital test: its timing in relation to cycle and coitus, methodology used for the test, cut-off level of normality and treatments applied for abnormal test results.


RESULTS
The postcoital test is used in 92% (and routinely in 68%) of departments. There are large differences in timing of the test in relation to menstrual cycle and coitus, in microscopic magnification used, and in cut-off levels of normality. More than 10 different treatments are applied for abnormal test results.


CONCLUSIONS
Guidelines of the World Health Organisation are not followed and divergence in practice and opinion is wide enough to question whether infertile couples are better off with than without the test.
Oei
S G
SG
Departmentof Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Reproductive Medicine, Leiden University Hospital, The Netherlands.
Keirse
M J
MJ
Bloemenkamp
K W
KW
Helmerhorst
F M
FM
D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003075:Coitus; D005260:Female; D006176:Gynecology; D006801:Humans; D007246:Infertility / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008297:Male; D009774:Obstetrics; D010060:Ovulation; D016742:Preconception Care