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. STUDY DESIGN: 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.