Incompatibility of partners in about 30% of cases is the cause of infertility in couples who want to have a baby. And today, many are interested in questions about why a similar problem occurs and whether there are effective methods of treating it. After all, thousands of people suffer from infertility, and every year their number increases.
Incompatibility of partners: what is it?
Infertility is worth thinking about if a couple who has regular sexual intercourse without contraception has not been able to have a child for a year. 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 perfectly he althy. 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 process of fertilization. Such a problem can arise under the influence of various factors. In most cases, incompatibility can be corrected, but occasionally such a diagnosis can be final.
Blood type incompatibility: how dangerous is it?
In some cases, the cause of infertility is the incompatibility of blood group partners. And here it is not the group itself that is of great importance, but the Rh factor. It is immediately worth noting that the Rh 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 it is negative (Rh-).
Of course, ideally, the blood Rh factors of both spouses should be the same. But this does not always happen. According to statistics, 85% of women on the planet have a positive Rh factor - they are out of danger. But if this protein is absent in the partner's blood, then you should be more attentive to he alth.
What is Rh incompatibility?
Rhesus conflict occurs when the mother is Rh negative and the fetus is Rh positive. This is possible when the specified antigen is present in the father of the child in the blood. Thus, the mother's immune system begins to produce antibodies to the “foreign” protein.
Such incompatibility of partners during conception does not mean at all that pregnancy is impossible. But the risk of 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 specific therapy. In particular, every month it is necessary to conduct special tests for the level of antibodies in the mother's blood. And immediately three days before the 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 reflux of fetal blood into the mother's body, which can increase the activity of the immune system and lead to complications.
Microflora incompatibility of 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 may be dangerous for another.
This is the incompatibility of the microflora of partners. Its symptoms are usually visible - after each sexual intercourse without the use of condoms, a man or woman develops itching and burning in the vulva, and sometimes uncharacteristic discharge. Quite often, thrush develops.
It is worth noting that such incompatibility only occasionally (in 2-3%) causes infertility.
What to do if the 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 couple's life. And this problem should not be left to chance - it is better to immediately consult a doctor. After all, recurring candidiasis can lead to more serious diseases.
Many patients ask if there is a partner compatibility test. You can go through it in any clinic - this is a regular swab from the vagina or urethra, followed by bacteriological culture. This technique allows you to determine the type of pathogen and evaluate its sensitivity to certain drugs. As a rule, to get rid of such a nuisance, only a course of taking suitable antibacterial agents is required. Both partners should be in therapy. After that, you need to retake the tests.
Immunological incompatibility and its consequences
Infertility is rather complicated, which is associated with the immunological characteristics of the body. 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 that have a detrimental effect on male spermatozoa. Thus, even perfectly he althy people may have difficulty fertilizing.
Moreover, sometimes the male body produces antibodies to its own germ cells. Anywayspermatozoa die without fertilizing the egg.
Of course, even with this problem, women sometimes manage to get pregnant. But most often, pregnancy proceeds unfavorably - immune cells damage the embryo even in the early stages of development. There is a high probability of severe toxicosis, spontaneous abortion, as well as delays in the development of the fetus. 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.
Causes of immunological incompatibility
Unfortunately, the reasons for the development of immunological incompatibility are not yet fully understood. Indeed, if in some women such an “allergic reaction” develops upon contact with the sperm of any man, then in other representatives of the fair sex, the activity of the immune system increases only when the sperm of a particular man enters the body.
In some cases, this activity of the immune system may be associated with a woman's mental state, such as her fear of pregnancy or hidden unwillingness to have a child. Some studies have shown that even pheromones can influence the production of such antibodies. In some cases, infertility is associated with hormonal disruptions or certain diseases. In any situation, special testing and additional research will be needed.
How to pass the partner compatibility test?
Actuallythere are many studies to determine the compatibility of a couple. 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). Specialists collect mucus from the cervix, and then examine it under a microscope.
Thus, you can estimate the number of live and dead spermatozoa, as well as study their mobility. 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. After all, some partners, even if they are absolutely he althy, may 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.
