Sodium bicarbonate douching for improvement of the postcoital test

Abstract

In the hope of improving sperm survival within the cervical mucus, 93 infertile patients with unfavorable postcoital tests were advised to douche with a solution of sodium bicarbonate 30 to 60 minutes prior to sexual intercourse. In most patients observed, the repeatedly poor postcoital test improved remarkably, and 31 pregnancies have been achieved. In the majority of patients, the postcoital test was repeated on 2 subsequent days (without and with the benefit of sodium bicarbonate douching) with astonishing differences in the test results. In addition to pH changes, sodium bicarbonate douching resulted in significant alteration of the cervical mucus electrolyte components (detected by scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive x-ray analysis). The possible modes of action of sodium bicarbonate douching are fully analyzed.