Dr. H said the next step was to do a post-coital test. I have several friends who have been through the infertility process more recently than I have (I started trying to conceive in 1996), and they have told me that their doctors have not ordered this test for them. This was a completely disgusting test and one that I would never want to repeat.

Dr. H told us to wait until my fertile time of the month - roughly day 14 of my cycle - and then schedule a post-coital evaluation. His instructions were to have intercourse and then not clean up afterward - EWWWW! He wanted to determine how many sperm were getting into my cervix.

I have undergone much more painful testing and procedures than this, but the PCT was by far the worst test, in my opinion. We had to have sex on demand, knowing that it was for a medical test, which took every ounce of enjoyment out of the experience. I had to drive to the doctor's office feeling completely disgusting. I sat in the waiting room away from all of the other patients - off in a corner by myself - and still feared that someone would "know." It was a terrible experience.

When Dr. H evaluated my cervix, he found that it was completely closed. He even jokingly called it a "hostile cervix." During the fertile period, the cervix should be open to facilitate conception. Dr. H did a test to determine how many sperm had found their way into my cervix: The result was zero.

Since my cervix was not doing what it was supposed to be doing, Dr. H referred us to an infertility specialist and suggested that we try intrauterine insemination (IUI). I was thrilled because I thought we finally knew what the problem was. I was certain that it would only take one IUI and then we would be on our way to parenthood.

My husband's reaction was much different. A specialist meant more money, and he was not optimistic that this would work. As it turned out, he was right.

Related Topic:

Post-Coital Test (PCT)