Post coital test?

[Blueflower]

I’m reading ‘Inconceivable’ by Ben Elton and really enjoying it. However there’s a test that the characters have got to have, called a ‘Post Coital’ test. It sounds very intrusive and horrible. The book was published in 1999 so maybe it’s not a test they do any more, although I have heard it mentioned on this forum once or twice. We never had to do it thankfully.

Does anyone know anything about it? I suppose sperm-friendly lube counteracts any problems like that.

 

[Tinkerbell3]

I've been wanting this done but can't find a clinic that still does it, I knew a few people who've done it but that was a few years ago now.
It's embarrassing but then what isn't when it comes to infertility

 

[Blueflower]

True! Yes maybe its not considered necessary any more?

 

[Tinkerbell3]

My latest fertility Dr said that it just wasn't done much now because it seems not many people have CM issue bad enough to stop conceiving which is frustrating for people like myself because I truly believe and know that it can full we'll be the reason I'm not conceiving naturally.

 

[mylullaby]

Not an answer to your question, but just wanted to say I really enjoyed that book - even as a teenager with no ttc plans at the time of reading! Enjoy!

 

[Blueflower]

My latest fertility Dr said that it just wasn't done much now because it seems not many people have CM issue bad enough to stop conceiving which is frustrating for people like myself because I truly believe and know that it can full we'll be the reason I'm not conceiving naturally.

That's interesting thanks! I assume you've tried the sperm-friendly lubricants? And Agnus Castus? 'Unexplained' is so frustrating!

 

[Tinkerbell3]

Yep, but because the CM is actually to thick it doesn't help, also used a number of things to try thin it but no luck there either.
Agnus Castus is the stuff that's like Clomid isn't it? I have no ovulation problems so no point in trying that and if it's anything like Clomid it can make CM thicker and more non sperm friendly.

 

[hayes]

Hey blueflower how are you my lovely? always thinking of you. I had this test done, all came back fine, i believe it was to test if my cm was killing off the sperm but cant really remember it was back in feb. It wasnt as horrid as it sound if i remember correctly, after a while nothing seems to make you embrassed anymore lol.

Michelle. x

 

[Blueflower]

I was recommended Agnus Castus to neutralize CM to make it more sperm friendly. I think it might thin the CM too. Its a herbal remedy so isn't as harsh as clomid. I'm not sure if it helps with ovulation but it made my cycles a few days shorter so I stopped taking it.

Thanks Hayes, I'm fine thanks! Still disappointed every month but hanging on in there! I can't believe how much time has flown since you got your BFP, I really thought I would be next! That's the one good thing about it, we've been trying for ages but in a way it doesn't seem that long! You're right, you get so used to getting into undignified posititions and having medical staff poking about! When you have your baby you will already be used to it unlike the other mums who never even had an internal scan!

 

[Deanie]

Hi everyone,

I'm new to this site and just talked about the Post Coital Test in a thread about clomid. My clinic have arranged 2 PCTs for me since starting clomid but this has caused major anxiety problems for my husband. He has felt immense pressure to 'perform' and lost his erection before the tests. Last month he was fine outside of test but this month it's impacted on other times too. Any tips on how to manage this situation would be gratefully received. I feel so frustrated but also really sorry for him as can see that it is anxiety that is causing this.

thanks

 

[Blueflower]

Do you have to do the tests at home early in the morning? If so, could you try it on another morning just to get used to it without the pressure? Also sometimes if we have to do it on a certain day I do a lot of oral sex to keep up his interest!

 

[Deanie]

Hi Blueflower, thanks for your suggestions. Can you get tests to do at home? The tests have both been scheduled to be in clinic at very specific times and they are always fully booked (NHS) so no wriggle room to go the next day if unsuccessful. The last few days have made him feel so anxious about performance that he can't face trying today. We have an appt to see the fertility clinic counselor next week so hopefully that will help a bit. So frustrating as at peak ovulation time x

 

[Blueflower]

No I meant can you do the deed at home then go in for your test? You don't have to perform at the hospital do you? Its a lot of pressure for your partner but you are the one who has to be examined after sex! I always have a shower afterwards, it would be horrible having to go feeling skanky! I suppose you can have a shower before instead?

 

[Deanie]

Hi Blueflower,

Sorry I didn't see this post before- I had a phase of not checking computer much. I'm guessing you might have had the answers to these Qs already, either from others or your own experiences. If not though.... the deed is done at home and has to be no longer than 12 hours, no less than 4 hours before the test- so thank goodness not at the hospital. It's similar to having a smear test but they give you the results within 10 mins. As I posted before we had major pressure issues as it is with my husband failing to get an erection due to the time pressure. We resolved this in the end using cialis- which is a bit like viagra but milder and instead of giving constant erection it only works when he is aroused. The last two PCTs were successful and really useful as they found that my CM was killing most of the sperm (a common side effect of clomid apparently). They then gave me estrogen to counteract this- which based on last friday's test had worked. However estrogen can stop ovulation from occurring so they gave me a trigger injection..I'm in phase of hope at moment but we'll see....

 

[Blueflower]

I didn't realize that about clomid. It seems that every benefit also has a side effect!