Incompatibility of partners in about 30% of cases is the cause of infertility of a couple who wants to have a baby. And today, many are interested in questions about why a similar problem arises and whether there are effective methods for its treatment. Indeed, thousands of people suffer from infertility, and every year their number increases.
Incompatibility of partners: what is it?
Infertility should be considered if during the year a couple who had regular sexual intercourse without contraception could not have a baby. It's no secret that quite often the cause is some kind of inflammatory or infectious disease of one of the partners or the anatomical features of the body.
But sometimes conception does not occur in a couple where both partners are completely healthy. In such cases, doctors, as a rule, make a not too comforting diagnosis - the incompatibility of partners. This means that, despite the normal functioning of the body, there is some factor that interferes with the fertilization process. A similar problem can arise under the influence of various factors. In most cases, incompatibility can be corrected, but occasionally such a diagnosis may be final.
Blood type incompatibility: how dangerous is it?
In some cases, the cause of infertility is the incompatibility of partners in the blood group. And here, not the group itself, but the Rh factor is of great importance. It is immediately worth noting that the Rhesus factor is a protein compound that is located on the surface of the erythrocyte membrane. If a person has an antigen, then the Rh factor is positive (Rh +), if it is absent, then negative (Rh-).
Of course, in an ideal embodiment, the Rh blood factors in both spouses should be the same. But this is not always found. According to statistics, 85% of women on the planet have a positive Rh factor - they are out of danger. But if the partner does not have this protein in her blood, then it is worth being more attentive to health.
What is rhesus conflict?
Rhesus conflict occurs if the mother has
Rh negative, and the fetus is positive. This is possible when the specified antigen is present in the blood of the child’s father. Thus,
the mother’s
immune system begins to produce antibodies to the “foreign” protein.
Such incompatibility of partners at conception does not mean at all that pregnancy is impossible. But the risk of her interruption is much higher. According to statistics, the first pregnancy is considered relatively safe, but the second can lead to serious consequences for both the fetus and the mother.
Fortunately, this condition can be controlled with the help of special therapy. In particular, every month you need to conduct special tests for the level of antibodies in the mother’s blood . And just three days before giving birth, a woman is injected with a special drug ( anti- Rhesus immunoglobulin), which prevents the formation of antibodies. After all, childbirth is associated with the delivery of fetal blood into the mother's body, which can enhance the activity of the immune system and lead to complications.
Incompatibility of microflora partners
It's no secret that the human reproductive system has its own microflora, which is represented by beneficial bacteria. But conditionally pathogenic microorganisms also live in the mucous membrane of the genitourinary organs. For their carrier, these microbes are not dangerous, since their number is strictly controlled by the immune system. But what is safe for one partner can be a threat to another.
This is the incompatibility of microflora partners. Symptoms of it are usually visible - after each sexual contact without using condoms, a man or woman has an itch and burning sensation in the area of ​​the external genitalia, and sometimes uncharacteristic discharge. Quite often thrush develops.
It is worth noting that such incompatibility only occasionally (in 2-3%) becomes the cause of infertility.
What to do if microflora is incompatible?
Despite the fact that the microflora only in some cases affects the reproductive function of the body, such incompatibility brings a lot of trouble to the life of the couple. And this problem should not be left to chance - it is better to immediately consult a doctor. After all, repeated candidiasis can lead to more serious diseases.
Many patients ask if a partner compatibility test is performed. You can go through it in any clinic - this is a normal smear from the vagina or urethra with subsequent bacteriological culture. This technique allows you to determine the type of pathogen and evaluate its sensitivity to certain drugs. As a rule, getting rid of such a nuisance requires only a course of taking suitable antibacterial agents. Therapy should be done by both partners. After this, you must re-take the tests.
Immunological incompatibility and its consequences
Infertility, which is associated with the immunological characteristics of the body, is rather complex. What is this incompatibility of partners? In such cases, for one reason or another, the female immune system begins to produce specific
anti- sperm
antibodies, which are detrimental to male sperm. Thus, even perfectly healthy people may have difficulty with fertilization.
Moreover, sometimes the male body produces antibodies to its own reproductive cells. In any case, spermatozoa die without fertilizing the egg.
Of course, even with such a problem, women sometimes manage to get pregnant. But most often, pregnancy proceeds unfavorably - immune cells damage the fetus in the early stages of development. High probability of severe toxicosis, spontaneous abortion, as well as delays in fetal development. In any case, during the planning of conception, testing for the presence of antisperm antibodies is recommended for all couples who want to have a baby.
Reasons for immunological incompatibility
Unfortunately, the reasons for the development of immunological incompatibility are not yet fully understood. Indeed, if some women have a similar “allergic reaction” that develops when they contact any man’s sperm, then in other women, the immune system increases only when a particular man’s sperm enter the body.
In some cases, such an activity of the immune system may be associated with a woman’s mental state, such as her fear of pregnancy or a hidden unwillingness to have a baby. Some studies have shown that even pheromones can influence the production of such antibodies. In some cases, infertility is associated with hormonal disruptions or some diseases. In any situation, special testing and additional research will be needed.
How to pass the test for compatibility of partners?
In fact, there are many studies to determine the compatibility of a pair. For example, if immunological causes of infertility are suspected, the following compatibility test for conception is performed. In particular, to assess the body's response to sperm, you must go to the doctor six hours after the last sexual intercourse (but no later than 12 hours). Experts collect mucus from the cervix, and then examine it under a microscope.
Thus, it is possible to estimate the number of living and dead sperm, as well as to study their motility. In this case, the pH of the vaginal environment, the degree of crystallization and the consistency of the mucus are also measured.
Sometimes couples are recommended a genetic compatibility test. Indeed, some partners, even if they are absolutely healthy, can be carriers of potentially dangerous genes. This study allows you to determine the possible genetic diseases of the unborn baby, as well as the degree of risk of their development.