Post Coital Test - How it's Performed and What it Can Determine

The Post Coital Test involves a sampling of your cervical mucus between four to ten hours after you and your partner have intercourse, to determine whether the mucus in your cervix is "hostile" to is sperm.

With this particular test - timing is everything, since only mucus during your ovulation period isn't usually deemed hostile. This, of course, involves a visit to your physician so a sample of your mucus can be taken and be examined for the evidence of live sperm.

If you are using an ovulation predictor kit, this kit will be the determining factor as to when you will have intercourse. Remember, to have sex that MORNING ,and do not use any lubricants, douche - or bathe (a shower is acceptable) and be sure and contact your physician to schedule a time to come in after intercourse.

Once in the doctors office, you will be examined with a spectulum with a small amount of cervical mucus being withdrawn from your cervix. This will then be examined under a microscope and the doctor will be looking for some of the following characteristics:

1. Ferning - When the cervical mucus dries on a microscope slide, it should take on the appearance of ferns. This assures that the mucus has been exposed to adequate levels of estrogen without any exposure to progesterone. In other words, that the timing is correct.

2. Amount - Cervical mucus production normally increases dramatically just prior to ovulation.

3. Clarity - It should be very clear, almost watery.

4. Cellularity - There should be relatively few cells present, other than sperm.

5. Spinnbarkeit - This is the stretchiness of the cervical mucus. It should be almost elastic and may stretch 10 cms or more.

If your results are poor after the post coital test, there may be several reasons:

1. Infection - The lining of your cervix could be irritated or infected. This is indicated by the presence of white blood cells in the mucus.

2. Poor timing - This is the most common reason that a post-coital test is unsatisfactory. This test has to be performed right before ovulation occurs, when the cervical mucus is at it's best.

3. Prior procedures on the cervix - Procedures which can result in a poor post coital test could include freezing and/or laser to the cervix, lleetz or leep procedures and cervical conizations, all of which are performed to treat abnormal Pap smears.

4. Medications - The most common of is clomiphene. Clomiphene can dramatically impair cervical mucus quantity and quality and anyone on clomiphene, or anyone who has had her dose of clomiphene increased, should have a post-coital test checked.

   
   
   

   
   
   
   

   Each pregnancy, expectant mother, and unborn child is different. Your pregnancy may not progress the same as the information found here. The information here is based on the average pregnancy. It's not meant to be a replacement for any advice your may receive from your doctor. If you have any concerns about your pregnancy, we advise you to contact your doctor.

   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

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