Abstract

PIP: There appears to be an increasing incidence of infertility, defined as the inability to conceive after a year of unprotected coitus. The hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis of sexual development and function is briefly reviewed. The history-taking procedure and physical examination of the female and male is described. Basic screening procedures to define the general problem areas are: 1) basal body temperature recordings, 2) further evaluation of ovulatory function through an endometrial biopsy and plasma progesterone analysis, 3) semen analysis, 4) tubal patency tests by tubal insufflation or hysterosalpingography, and 5) Sims-Huhner postcoital examination.