The validity of the postcoital test for estimating the probability of conceiving.
OBJECTIVE
We determined the prognostic value of the postcoital test in subfertile couples.


METHODS
A retrospective study relates the result of the postcoital test to the occurrence of a spontaneous pregnancy. In a fertility center of a university hospital, data from the complete fertility workup of 956 couples who were examined because of infertility due to cervical hostility, male subfertility, or unexplained causes were collected. Statistical analysis was done with Cox regression.


RESULTS
The postcoital test result 9 to 12 hours after intercourse is strongly associated with future pregnancy during the first year after intake; the association is also present when the relation with other prognostic variables is taken into account.


CONCLUSIONS
The postcoital test result is a strong predictor of possible fertility within the following year.
Department of Public Health, Erasmus University Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
J M
JM
Eimers
E R
ER
te Velde
R
R
Gerritse
R J
RJ
van Kooy
J
J
Kremer
J D
JD
Habbema
D002582:Cervix Mucus / Q000502:physiology; D003075:Coitus / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D005306:Fertilization / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D007247:Infertility, Female / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology; D007248:Infertility, Male / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008297:Male; D011379:Prognosis; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013076:Sperm Count; D013081:Sperm Motility