REFLECTIONS ON THE WAY TO CONDUCT AN INVESTIGATION OF SUBFERTILITY

Infertility is a worldwide issue in reproductive health, In view of th e World Health Organization's definition of health, the psychological and social consequences of infertility simply cannot be ignored, Preve ntion of infertility is difficult and does not help the couple seeking medical advice for infertility, whereas efficient treatment for infer tility is time consuming, expensive and often unsuccessful, This artic le reflects on a shortened, yet full investigation of both partners' f ertility before any treatment whatsoever, which is indispensable once the decision to help the couple medically has been made, By optimizing the use of modern gynaecological endoscopy within the woman's cycle, an exhaustive infertility investigation can be conducted within the sp an of two couple-physician contacts, thereby responding to the couple' s concern, avoiding loss of time and energy due to inappropriate thera pies, and directing the subfertility treatment correctly from the star t. Trained gynaecologists can easily conduct this investigation in fer tility centres in developed countries, as well as in centres for famil y planning in developing countries, The investigation can be employed either with an emphasis on diagnosis alone (and then even under local anaesthesia) or, if the necessary infrastructure is available, in comb ination with operative endoscopy under general anaesthesia where indic ated.