The Influence of the Postcoital Test on the Sexual Function of Infertile Women

Abstract

A consecutive series of 50 women undergoing postcoital tests (PCT) as part of their infertility investigation agreed to answer questions concerning their sexual functioning and their relationship with their partner during the intercourse they had had for the PCT.It was found that sexual functioning decreased with regard to foreplay and orgasm, especially when the intercourse took place only a few hours before the PCT ('same morning PCT').A positive correlation was found between the woman's feeling of closeness to her partner and the PCT score.Based on the results of our study, recommendations are given regarding timing and performance of PCTs. 0167-482X/84/$03.00 0 1984 Elsevier Science Publishers B.V. J Psychosom Obstet Gynaecol Downloaded from informahealthcare.com by Flinders University of South Australia on 02/04/15 For personal use only.

Medical family therapy with couples facing infertility

“…Sabatelli, Meth, and Gavazzi (1988) found close to 60% of women and men in an infertility support group sample reported decreased frequency of sexual intercourse and decreased sexual satisfaction after the diagnosis. Even postcoital semen analysis, a somewhat less invasive procedure, has been found to increase rates of erectile dysfunction and ejaculatory incompetence in men (Keye, 1984), and anorgasmia in women (DeVries, Degani, & Eibschita, 1984).…”

Infertility: When is the post-coital test normal? A critical appraisal

“…We feel that our data make a strong case for a well conducted trial comparing fertility work-ups with and without the use of the PCT, particularly as the various conditions that need to be met to obtain PCT results can put considerable strain on the relationship of the infertile couple (Drake and Grunert, 1979;De Vries et al, 1984). In the meantime, clinicians wishing to apply this test in their fertility investigations must consider carefully what they intend to achieve by its use.…”

European postcoital tests: opinions and practice

“…Given the divergence of opinion on almost every aspect of this test, ranging from when it should be done to what to do with its results, one may well wonder whether infertile couples are better off with than without the test, especially as it is not without consequences (Drake & Grunert 1979; De Vries et al 1984). Fortunately, this question does not need to remain rhetorical.…”

“…While some authors consider the test to be abnormal when the microscope shows less than one motile spermatozoon per high power field (Harrison 1981; Hull et al 1982), others define the cut‐off point of normality at five (Collins et al 1984), seven (Samberg et al 1985) or even 20 motile spermatozoa per field (Jette & Glass 1972; Wang et al 1992). Many regard the postcoital test as essential in any infertility investigation (Hull et al 1982; Glazener et al 1987; Eimers et al 1994), while others view it as a superfluous test that lacks validity (Collins et al 1984; Griffith & Grimes 1990), and aggravates or even causes sexual problems (Drake & Grunert 1979; De Vries et al 1984).…”