Initial evaluation and management of infertility by the primary care physician

Infertility is a common condition seen in primary care practices, infertility is defined as 1 year of unprotected intercourse during which a pregnancy is not achieved. In the United States, 15% to 20% of all couples are infertile, with higher rates seen in older couples. The causes of infertility include abnormalities of any portion of the male or female reproductive system. The female partner usually presents initailly for an infertility problem, often in the context of an annual well-women examination. The primary care physician who provides such preventive care can initiate the diagnostic evaluation and can treat some causes of infertility.