Postcoital Test

Test Overview

A postcoital test checks a woman's cervical mucus after sex to see whether sperm are present and moving normally. This test may be used if a woman is not able to become pregnant (infertility) and other tests have not found a cause.

The test is done 1 to 2 days before ovulation when the cervical mucus is thin and stretchy and sperm can easily move through it into the uterus. Within 2 to 8 hours after you have sex, your doctor collects and looks at a cervical mucus sample.

Many doctors question the value of the postcoital test to check for infertility. It is not done very often.

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Author:	Jan Nissl, RN, BS	Last Updated: April 20, 2006
Medical Review:	Joy Melnikow, MD, MPH - Family Medicine Kirtly Jones, MD - Obstetrics and Gynecology
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