Question Title: Question about Blood Preg. Test

I have not been ovulating, and have been taking Clomiphene 50mg for 3 months. My doctor wants me to come in for an endometrial biopsy next week. I wanted to make sure I was not pregnant before this test (just in case) The nurse said I could have a Blood Test on Tuesday, which is 21 days after my last period. How early can this detect pregnancy. I don't know if I ovulated, but it could have been as late as the 18th day for conception. Will this blood test be accurate?
Also, what can be done about vaginal dryness with clomiphene. I have pretty much no mucus, so I can't tell if I am ovulating, but my periods have been regular the past few months. Could the lack of mucus keep me from becoming Pregnant? Can anything be done about this??
Please help me with some answers!
Thank You,
Stacy

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Dear Stacy:
Blood pregnancy tests are not reliable until several days following implantation. Implantation occurs about 7 days following ovulation. When a patient is about 12 days following ovulation, a pregnancy test may detect hCG.
In you wish to have an endometrial biopsy with no concern about pregnancy, it is best to use barrier contraception during the cycle in which the test is planned.
The likelihood that an endometrial biopsy will interfere with an early pregnancy is about 1/1000 biopsies. There are many reports of biopsy during the cycle of conception with no harm to the pregnancy.

Vaginal dryness is best managed with small amounts of lubricant: egg white is a natural substance that provides lubrication and has no harmful effect on sperm. Estrogen cream would be an alternative approach and some physicians use low dose oral estrogen tablets. If one is concerned that sperm are not being effectively transferred from the vaginal into to uterus and fallopian tubes, artificial insemination (intrauterine insemination) is the best therapy.

Keywords: endometrial biopsy, clomiphene, vaginal dryness

This information is provided for medical education and is not a medical consultation. If you have specific questions, please speak with your physician.

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