Preliminary Female Fertility Tests:postcoital fertility test

Home > Diseases & Conditions > Fertility &ReproductiveHealth > Fertility > Preliminary Female Fertility Tests:postcoital fertility test
If you are having difficulties becoming pregnant you and your partner may consider seeking fertility treatments. There are a number of different fertility treatments available, ranging from IVF to IUI, but it is important to have proper testing performed before you choose a treatment. The post-coital test is one of the most commonly performed infertility tests. This fertility test can help to determine the quality of a woman’s cervical mucus and the motility of a man’s sperm. This information can then be used to decide on an appropriate method of fertility treatment.
During the process of preliminary female fertility testing, a post-coital test (PCT) can be an informative tool in the diagnosis of common female fertility problems. As such, this fertility test can help establish the appropriate course of treatment for female infertility through the analysis of the cervical mucus. In addition, a post-coital test is also sometimes used in male fertility testing in order to evaluate sperm motility. google_protectAndRun("render_ads.js::google_render_ad", google_handleError, google_render_ad);

Post-Coital Test Procedure
Also known as a Simns-Huhner test, a post-coital test evaluates cervical mucus with regard to its health and its ability to allow fertilisation to occur. It also assesses the ability of the sperm to function in the cervical mucus, namely, to travel through the cervical mucus in order to fertilize the egg.
This type of female fertility test is performed shortly prior to ovulation, when the cervical mucus is most amenable to the process of fertilisation. Cervical mucus changes in consistency and color throughout a woman’s menstrual cycle; during a woman’s less fertile periods, it is white and thick while during ovulation – when a woman is most fertile – it is stretchy, thin and clear. This thinner consistency enables the sperm to have easier access to the uterus so that fertilisation and conception can occur.
Samples of cervical mucus are collected 2 to 8 hours following intercourse in order to assess both the cervical mucus as well as sperm ability to pass through the mucus.
The post-coital fertility test (PCT) is a procedure used to help determine why a couple is having difficulty becoming pregnant. The test evaluates a woman’s cervical mucus, revealing information about its health and suitability for fertilization. The post-coital test also examines how well a man’s sperm functions in the cervical mucus. The test is performed just before ovulation, when a woman’s cervical mucus is most amenable to fertilization. Samples of the mucus are taken between 2 and 8 hours after intercourse.
Sometimes called the Sims-Huhner test, the post-coital test has been in use since the 1860s. Though its usefulness has been debated as of late, it is still one of the most popular tests used in fertility clinics today.

Preparing for A Post-Coital Test
Because this type of female infertility test is so intrinsically linked to your reproductive cycle, it is important that you take proper steps in order to prepare for it.
Preparing for the post-coital test is fairly straightforward. Your health care provider will give you more detailed information about what you need to do before the test, though. In general, couples undergoing PCT will need to:

Monitor your basal body temperature (BBT) in order to determine when you are ovulating. Measure your levels of luteinizing hormone (LH) with a urine test. This will also help to determine when you are ovulating. Once you have determined that you are about ovulate, book an appointment for the post-coital test for the following day Have intercourse 2 to 8 hours before your appointment. Do not use lubricant during intercourse, and refrain from douching or tub bathing afterwards.
The necessary preparation required for a PCT are as follows:

monitor your basal body temperature (BBT) in order to assess if ovulation is occurring take a lutenizing hormone (LH) test in order to confirm that ovulation has occurred once you have determined that you are ovulating, book an appointment for a PCT at your fertility clinic intercourse should take place two to eight hours prior to testing; lubricants should not be used and you should avoid douching or tub bathing following intercourse

Testing Procedure
During a post-coital test, your health care provider will insert a metal or plastic speculum into the vagina; this will expose the cervix.
Your fertility specialist will then collect a sample of cervical mucus, which will subsequently be transferred onto a slide for analysis in the laboratory.

Post-Coital Test Results
The results of your post-coital test will generally be available within one to two days. During analysis, your cervical mucus will be assessed for texture and consistency, as well as for the presence of moving sperm.

Pages: Prev 1 2 Next

How To Prepare for Postcoital Test

Preliminary Female Fertility Tests:Estradiol Test

What is Progesterone,What does the test result mean?

Female Fertility Tests:Progesterone Test

Female Fertility Tests:Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) Test

Ultrasound scanning for Fertility tests

blood test check fertility

Fertility Testing and Getting Pregnant