Hostile Cervical Mucus

Im not sure about the forelife stuff, i have seen it too. I used preseed this month. Is the advertisments sponsored by preseed that youve seen??

Stupid question since you have been TTC so long, but your DH has had an SA test??? I know its a silly question and i would assume that was one of the first thing they tested.........

firstly have to say i love the term hostile mucous - it makes me think of the mucous saying to sperm - frack off we don't want you playing on our turf

but seriously here's some information i found, hope it helps, they may want post ovulation to see if it's just your EWCM that is hostile or if there is something else going on (sorry it's so long but edited out some other stuff):

Suboptimal mucus conditions that effect sperm survival and penetration ("hostile mucus") include:

* (1) very thick and viscous mucus, which limits sperm penetration

* (2) antisperm antibodies (in semen or mucus) such that complement dependent inactivation of sperm within the mucus results in nonmotile sperm or sperm "wiggling in place" within 2 hours of intercourse

* (3) low (acidic) mucus pH, which may inactivate or destroy sperm

* (4) infection within the cervix with inflammatory cells in the mucus digesting the sperm since they are identified as "foreign material"

Although the importance of the cervical mucus for nourishment and the survival of the sperm has been recognized for a long time, there is still no ideal test for mucus quality. The postcoital test is the most popular test. It involves the couple having relations (intercourse) at least 2 hours prior to returning to the office (to allow for complement mediated inactivation of sperm) and in the office the infertility specialist will check the cervical mucus for the presence and number of motile sperm. The test should be completed within 24 hours of intercourse. The World Health Organization has recommended that one consider performing the test 6-10 hours following intercourse to further assess longevity and survival of the sperm.

Specific treatments that can be considered in an effort to improve poor mucus quality include

(1) viscous thick mucus:

Guiaifenesin by mouth. This is a mucolytic agent that acts to thin out or lyse mucus. It is the active ingredient in Robitussin and some other cold medications that act to thin intranasal mucus (by breaking up the mucus so that it can be expelled)

(2) scanty mucus:

Estrogen preparation by mouth. Premarin in either 0.625 mg or 1.25 mg dosing for 8 to 9 days prior to ovulation may increase the amount of mucus and possibly its quality. This does not generally work in the presence of Clomiphene citrate treatment since the estrogen receptors are blocked.

(3) acidic mucus:

Douching with an alkalinic nontoxic solution such as sodium bicarbonate (1 tablespoon of baking soda into 1 quart of water) to increase the pH of the mucus 30 to 60 minutes prior to intercourse. This has been widely used with mixed success

(4) yellow purulent mucus:

Appropriate antibiotics to treat a presumed or documented infection should be used.

(5) sperm wiggling in place:

Antisperm antibodies are difficult to effectively treat. Steroids may inhibit the immune system in general and production of anti sperm antibodies in particular. These steroids have potentially serious complications and unclear benefit in this context

(6) use of lubricants:

Discontinuation of lubricants, with the possible exception of vegetable oil, is recommended while attempting fertility. Most lubricants including KY jelly and surgilube are toxic to sperm and can interfere with their survival. Astroglide is a commercially available synthetic lubricant that is not associated with known sperm toxicity.

Edited by choco69

As the authorised distributor of Pre~Seed in New Zealand and also as a mother and scientist with many years experience in the health and welfare professions, I am genuinely concerned to read some of the misinformation that is presented in this particular post. I have taken the liberty of posting some factual information onto a neutral information only website at www.babydreams.co.nz to help answer your questions regarding preseed and to address some concerning safety factors regarding the Forelife lubricant which is currently being sold out of Australia. I would also like to point out that the information about Astroglide as being a safe lubricant is factually incorrect and in-fact this product performs amongst the most poorly of all products in the published scientific research in terms of it’s effects on sperm health.