What is a Postcoital Test (PCT Test)?
If you are unable to get pregnant, your doctor may suggest performing a Postcoital Test when:
- You are ovulating regularly.
- Your fallopian tubes are not blocked or damaged.
- Your male partner’s sperm is normal or he does not want to undergo a sperm analysis.
How does the PCT Fertility Test Work?
A Postcoital Test checks a woman’s cervical mucus after intercourse to see whether sperm are present and moving normally. It is done to determine several things:
- If there is a problem with the cervical mucus causing infertility.
- If there are immune system problems, such as sperm antibodies, causing infertility.
The Postcoital test is done one to two days before ovulation and 8 to 12 hours after having sexual intercourse. The doctor collects a sampling of your cervical mucus by inserting a speculum into your vagina – similar to a pap smear procedure. The doctor then analyzes the sample and determines whether or not your cervical mucus could be the cause of your inability to conceive.
Our fertility clinic determines the test is abnormal if the cervical mucus:
- Does not stretch 2 inches.
- Does not dry in a fern-like pattern.
- Does not contain the presence of sperm.
- Contains a large number of dead sperm.
- Contains sperm that clumped together and is not moving normally.