title: Investigation of the infertile couple: when is the appropriate time to explore female infertility?
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Leuven Institute for Fertility and Embryology, Tiensevest 168, B-3000, Leuven, Belgium. ivo.brosens@med.kuleuven.ac.be
authors.forename: Ivo
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Brosens
authors.forename: Sylvie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gordts
authors.forename: Marion
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Valkenburg
authors.forename: Patrick
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Puttemans
authors.forename: Rudi
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Campo
authors.forename: Stephan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gordts
mesh_terms: D003075:Coitus; D005193:Family Planning Services; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007247:Infertility, Female / Q000175:diagnosis*; D010060:Ovulation; D011247:Pregnancy; D013997:Time Factors