The Post Coital Fertility Test
The post coital or “after intercourse” fertility test is performed to examine sperm after its exposure to the cervical mucus. The couple has intercourse at home and the patient comes to our North Carolina fertility clinic office where a sample of her cervical fluid is retrieved by the fertility specialist.
The microscopic presence of many “dead” or “non moving” sperm may indicate a cervical defect such as antisperm antibodies or mucus that is too thick or thin.
When antisperm antibodies are present they mistake sperm for invading pathogens like virus and bacteria. Once antibodies are present they will damage or kill the sperm.
One of the best ways to treat antibodies in the female is to use intrauterine insemination (IUI), which bypasses the cervical mucus by placing the sperm directly into the uterus.
The male may also rarely produce antibodies to his own sperm. This usually results as a consequence of trauma to the testicles or other situations where his semen is exposed to his blood such as vasectomy reversal.