Test of semen and cervical mucus for infection
As part of testing for a cause of infertility, semen and cervical mucus can be tested to determine whether infectious organisms such as chlamydia, gonorrhea, or mycoplasma are present.
If chlamydia or gonorrhea organisms are found, they should be treated before any other testing is performed.
Mycoplasma, a type of bacterial organism, has been considered a cause of infertility in the past. Current research has found, however, that both fertile and infertile people test positive for mycoplasma. Mycoplasma is sometimes treated with antibiotics, but whether or not this helps couples conceive is not proven.1
| Author: | Shannon Erstad, MBA/MPH Carrie Henley | Last Updated: August 16, 2006 |
| Medical Review: | Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine Joy Melnikow, MD, MPH - Family Medicine Kirtly Jones, MD - Obstetrics and Gynecology Femi Olatunbosun, MB, FRCSC - Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Medicine | |
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