15/06/2025
I met Ms. X, aged 31, at the end of September 2024 following a referral from her G.P. She had been struggling with infertility for over three years and had experienced four miscarriages within a 13-month period. It had been six months since her last miscarriage.
Her partner, Mr. Y, aged 48yrs, presented with fitness concerns, a sedentary lifestyle, and high s***m DNA fragmentation, as measured by SCSA (S***m Chromatin Structure Assay). While his semen analysis showed a normal s***m count, the elevated DNA fragmentation raised concerns regarding embryo viability and recurrent pregnancy loss.
Ms. X’s menstrual cycle was irregular, ranging from 30 to 39 days, with scanty, pale bleeding. She reported chronic fatigue, cold limbs and coldness in the lower abdomen, low libido and frequent urination. Her pulse was deep and weak, particularly in the Kidney position, and her tongue was pale and swollen with a thin white coating. Hormonal testing showed she was not ovulating, with a serum progesterone level of just 2 nmol/L in the luteal phase.
From a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) perspective, I diagnosed Ms. X with Kidney Yang deficiency, a pattern often linked to reproductive challenges, especially those involving cold, fatigue, hormonal imbalance, and anovulation.
I also suspected immune dysregulation, particularly elevated Natural Killer (NK) cell activity, as a contributing factor in her repeated pregnancy losses. This suspicion was confirmed by immunological testing at a fertility clinic.
We initiated a tailored medicinal mushroom protocol aimed at regulating immune function, reducing NK cell activity, and supporting adrenal and hormonal balance. Concurrently, Ms. X began Lymphocyte Immunotherapy (LIT) to help reduce alloimmune activation and gently desensitise her immune system to paternal antigens from Mr. Y.
She attended weekly acupuncture sessions to warm the uterus, tonify Kidney Yang, and calm the immune system. Chinese herbal medicine was prescribed to nourish Jing (Essence), support Qi and Yang, and help regulate the endocrine system.
Both partners made significant lifestyle and nutritional changes.
Ms. X adopted a warming fertility diet rich in lamb, ginger, bone broth, cinnamon, and nuts. Cold and raw foods were avoided. She also added high-quality supplements, including Vitamin D, Zinc, CoQ10 (ubiquinol), Omega-3, and a multivitamin rich in B vitamins and antioxidants.
Mr. Y was placed on a personalised plan to address his high DNA fragmentation. In addition to antioxidants such as L-Carnitine, Vitamin E, Maca, and CoQ10, we introduced a gradual movement program that included daily walking, mobility exercises, and functional resistance training to improve circulation and overall well-being.
After 4 months of treatment, Ms. X reported significant improvements: her cycle stabilised to 30–32 days, bleeding became healthier in colour and flow, and she experienced increased energy and libido. Her serum progesterone had risen to 30 nmol/L, indicating a return of ovulation. Immune markers had also stabilised. Based on this progress, Ms. X was advised to begin trying to conceive again.
By early March 2025, Ms. X conceived naturally. Her recent 12 week scan confirmed a healthy foetus with a strong heartbeat. Ms X will continue to receive acupuncture treatments weekly to support the pregnancy and will taper to monthly once the pregnancy stabilizes.
This case illustrates the importance of a comprehensive, integrative approach to recurrent miscarriage, especially when immune dysregulation is involved.
By regulating NK cell activity through a combination of medicinal mushrooms and LIT, supporting hormonal health with acupuncture and herbs, and addressing male factor DNA fragmentation through lifestyle change and targeted antioxidants, a successful outcome was achieved.
This demonstrates the value of involving both partners and treating the underlying systemic imbalances for improved fertility outcomes.
