Postcoital Fertility Test

The postcoital fertility test is performed after intercourse to determine the ability of the man's sperm to survive in the woman's cervical mucus. This test can determine female infertility as well as male fertility problems, and is often performed when other tests, such as sperm analysis and hormone testing, have not found a cause for a couple's infertility.

Because there are only a few days during a woman's menstrual cycle when sperm can survive in the cervical mucus, timing of the postcoital test is very important. The postcoital fertility test is performed one to two days before ovulation occurs when the woman's cervical mucus is thin, allowing the sperm to easily move through it, eventually reaching the egg.

Preparation for the Postcoital Test

Your postcoital test appointment will be scheduled according to when you ovulate. Your doctor will give you instructions for determining ovulation, which typically includes checking your basal body temperature, the level of luteinizing hormone (LH) in your urine, and the condition of your cervical mucus.

You and your partner should have intercourse within two to eight hours before the visit. For accurate results, it is recommended that you not use lubricants during sex, and that you not take a bath or douche afterwards. You may, however, take a shower before your appointment.

How the Postcoital Test Is Performed

Within two to eight hours after intercourse, you will visit your health care provider or fertility specialist to have the test performed. The doctor collects a sample of the cervical mucus through a procedure similar to a Pap test. This sample is then examined by the doctor or health care professional.

Postcoital Test Results

The postcoital test assesses the condition of the cervical mucus sample and how the sperm interacts with the mucus. The doctor will examine the mucus for certain characteristics that may be signs of fertility problems, including:

• Dead sperm that may signal the presence of sperm antibodies produced either by the woman, or in rare cases, by the man.
• Mucus that cannot be stretched at least two inches, or doesn't dry in a fern-like pattern, which may mean that it is not allowing the sperm to travel through it sufficiently.
• Other cervical factors that can cause infertility.
• Problems with the quality of the sperm.

Once you have received the results of your postcoital test, it is important to speak with your fertility doctor about how to proceed with fertility testing and treatments. If no problems are apparent, additional testing may be recommended to determine the source of your fertility problems.

Contact a Fertility Expert in Your Area

If you and your partner are experiencing fertility problems, you can contact a fertility expert near you by using DocShop's online directory. A fertility expert can perform tests, including the postcoital test, to determine the source of your infertility.