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As Gynecologist Marion H. Sims suggested in 1888, says Dr. Masters, the vagina seems to be a functioning as well as a functional organ. In some cases, at least, its biochemical activity may completely defeat nature's purpose. In 39 patients, Dr. Masters has found a vaginal secretion that was absolutely lethal for spermatozoa; three more patients had an equally deadly cervical secretion. The chemical nature of these substances is not yet known, but since some of them kill all accessible sperm within ten seconds, Dr. Masters says, "research in this direction is important both from a conceptive and a contraceptive point of view."
Teaching Conception. How to help supposedly infertile couples conceive has always been among Dr. Masters' major concerns. As a result of his physiologic research, Dr. Masters has developed a gratifyingly successful method. Husband and wife must both agree to remain under treatment for at least a year. Dr. Masters and Psychologist Johnson start from the assumption that many couples "don't know where babies come from"—or at least don't know how they're made.
Johnson and Masters have to explain basic physiology. Often they have to reassure the husband that infertility does not mean impotence. They explain the best timing for intercourse in relation to ovulation and the best position to increase the likelihood of conception. It may take months of laboratory work to pinpoint and correct the cause of infertility. But in at least one case out of eight, Masters and Johnson report, learning about conception and the assurance that something is being done about their problem are enough to start a couple toward parenthood within three months.