What the urologist should know about the female infertility evaluation

As childbirth is delayed and divorce rates remain high, urologists will continue to see more and more infertile couples. It is imperative that urologists understand at least the basic aspects of the female evaluation. Fundamental information can be obtained from a simple, directed history. Risk factors for female infertility can be identified in a matter of minutes, and the reproductive endocrinologist can then carry out a complete female evaluation simultaneously with the male evaluation. Most female infertility problems can be classified as ovulatory, anatomic, or cervical. Signs of decreasing ovarian reserve with age can be ascertained easily with a history and perhaps the determination of a day-3 serum FSH level. Finally, a basic understanding of the female evaluation allows meaningful discourse between the urologist and the reproductive endocrinologist, leading to a more effective treatment plan for the infertile couple.