Effectiveness of the postcoital test: randomised controlled trial

Abstract

Objectives: To investigate the impact of the postcoital test on the pregnancy rate among subfertile couples and on the number of other diagnostic tests and treatments.

Design: Randomised controlled study.

Setting: A university and two non-university teaching hospitals in the Netherlands.

Subjects: New couples at infertility clinics, 1 March 1993 to 1 October 1995; randomisation to an intervention group (series of infertility investigations that include the postcoital test) or to a control group (series excluding the test).

Main outcome measure: Cumulative pregnancy rate.

Results: Of 736 consecutive new couples, 444 fulfilled the inclusion criteria and consented to participate (intervention group, 227; control group, 217). Treatment was given more often in the intervention group than in the control group (54% v 41%; difference 13% (95% confidence interval 4% to 22%)). Yet cumulative pregnancy rates at 24 months in the intervention group (49% (42% to 55%)) and the control group (48% (42% to 55%)) were closely similar (difference 1% (-9.0% to 9.0%)).

Conclusion: Routine use of the postcoital test in infertility investigations leads to more tests and treatments but has no significant effect on the pregnancy rate.

Figure

Cumulative pregnancy rates for 227 couples in intervention group (which included postcoital test) and 217 couples in control group (which excluded the test)