What does a postcoital test assess in the context of infertility?

A postcoital test assesses the interaction of sperm and cervical mucus, which is critical for understanding potential causes of infertility. This test is performed after intercourse, typically within a few hours, to evaluate how well sperm can navigate through the cervical mucus and the overall environment of the reproductive tract.

During the test, a sample of cervical mucus is collected and examined for the presence, quantity, and motility of sperm. The health and consistency of cervical mucus can significantly impact sperm mobility; for successful fertilization to occur, sperm must be able to move through the mucus and into the uterus. If the test shows that sperm are either absent or not motile due to hostile cervical mucus, this may indicate an issue that needs to be addressed in the management of infertility.

The other options do not accurately describe the purpose of a postcoital test. Assessing the viability of the embryo and the timing of ovulation are important aspects of fertility, but they are not evaluated directly by this particular test. The presence of ovulatory pain, while relevant to understanding a woman's menstrual cycle and ovulation, also falls outside the scope of what a postcoital test aims to determine.