Is Your Immune System Preventing Pregnancy? Read About The Immune Infertility Symptoms

Have you ever thought about the functioning of your immune system? If your immune system is weak, it becomes unable to protect your body against harmful bacteria and viruses, making you more prone to infections.

When your immune system is compromised, your natural defences are weakened and unable to fight off infections, which puts you at risk of getting sick. Testing for immunity can be a challenging process. 

However, it is estimated that around 20% of unexplained cases are related to issues with the immune system. Immune system disorders and autoimmune diseases can cause infertility in both men and women.

Immune-related infertility can occur in many ways, such as destroying the person's immune system, preventing embryos from implanting, or even causing miscarriage. We will discuss immune infertility symptoms in detail in this blog. 

Table Of Contents

1. How The Immune System Affects Fertility?

2. Immune Infertility Causes

3. Immune Infertility Symptoms

4. How Can I Boost My Immune System For Fertility?

5. Which Fruits Are Best For Fertility?

6. The Final Say

7. FAQs

8. References 

How Does The Immune System Affect Fertility?

The body's immune system comprises numerous cells, molecules, and mechanisms that defend the body against foreign agents like viruses, bacteria, and other infectious agents that cause disease. White blood cells, also known as lymphocytes, are one of the most important immune cells capable of recognising their structures and producing antibodies that identify foreign substances. 

However, sometimes the immune system fails to differentiate between self and foreign and acts against the body's cells, leading to autoimmune diseases. Additionally, the immune system is responsible for rejecting cells from another individual in organ transplant cases, as it identifies them as foreign and attacks them.

Immune Disorders Can Affect Fertility In Various Ways 

• When you have an autoimmune disease, your body attacks foreign invaders and non-foreign tissues that it mistakenly perceives as threats. 

• When the body is attacked, it can destroy sperm and even embryos that it perceives as a threat, making pregnancy impossible. 

• Immune infertility associated with reproductive disorders has become a major health problem affecting approximately 1 in 5 couples of reproductive age. 

• Semen, a complex fluid containing sperm, cellular vesicles and other cells and components, could sensitise the female genital tract. 

• The immune rejection of male semen in the female reproductive tract is explained as the failure of natural tolerance leading to local and/or systemic immune response. 

  
  

Also Read: Exercise To Balance Hormones In Your Body

Immune Infertility Causes

People having autoimmune diseases such as lupus, thyroid disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and type 1 diabetes may find daily life difficult. Treatment aims to reduce the overactivity of the immune system, and the disease can be treated with medication. 

There are majorly two types of immunodeficiency disease:

1. Primary Immunodeficiency 

There are hundreds of recognised primary immunodeficiency disorders, but they are very rare. Some people are born with primary immunodeficiency, which means they lack some of the immune defences needed to fight germs and infections. This makes them more susceptible to getting sick. 

Researchers have identified over 300 forms of primary immunodeficiency disorders, ranging from mild to severe. Some forms are so mild that they may go unnoticed until adulthood, while others are severe enough to be detected soon after birth.

2. Secondary Immunodeficiency 

It is caused by serious infections or toxic chemicals such as chemotherapy, radiation, severe burns, malnutrition, some cancers, AIDS, and viral hepatitis. Exposure to these chemicals and viruses attacks your immune system, weakening it in case of infection.

Immune Infertility Symptoms

There are many infertility symptoms of an overactive immune system that can lead to infertility. The most common are mentioned here:

• Muscle and joint pain (aching & swelling)

• Allergies

• Digestive problems

• Persistent or recurring disorders

• Changes in the skin, unexplained rash

• Low Blood sugar (hypoglycemia)

• Extreme fatigue 

• Any history of unexplained infertility in the patient or mother.

• Premature ovarian ageing (POA)/occult primary ovarian insufficiency (oPOI) 

• Premature ovarian failure (POF)/primary ovarian insufficiency (POI) inpatient or mother

• Hypo-androgenic PCOS-like phenotype in patient or mother

Also Read: Premarital Medical Assessment: Why A Health Checkup Is Necessary?

How Can I Boost My Immune System For Fertility?

Some women suffer from immune system and reproductive diseases, which can result in miscarriage. However, it is always beneficial for every woman to take measures to prevent pregnancy and boost their immune system. Here are 8 tips that can help boost the immune system:

1. Quit Smoking And Drinking

Smoking may be obvious, but drinking alcohol also plays a role even before pregnancy because alcohol causes strong disruption of the body. If you are planning to have a baby, giving up alcohol can only help.

2. Consider Your BMI

It is healthiest not to be overweight or obese, a BMI in the "normal" range (20-25) is suitable for a healthy body. So keep your BMI in check and always try to maintain it.

Also Read: 3 Day Immune Boosting Diet Plan And 8 Immune Boosting Foods

3. Eat Smart Food

What matters is not body weight or how much you eat but rather what you eat. Cutting down on carbs and eating lean meat and green, leafy and colourful vegetables is a winner, especially if you have help treating children. Other anti-inflammatory foods include fresh herbs such as rosemary, thyme and ginger.

4. Bask In Sunshine

Even if you eat well, you still won't have vitamin D. The latest epidemic shows us that vitamin D is crucial to a healthy immune system. So, if you are trying to get pregnant, try to get out during the day if possible (even if it's just a lunchtime walk). and more!

5. Moderate Exercise

Exercise helps improve your physical and mental health and reduces stress. However, excessive exercise is not recommended for women trying to get pregnant. Basically, if you have a normal BMI, you should limit your exercise time to less than four hours per week. In fact, moderate exercise is best (swimming, walking, cycling).

6. Reduce Stress

It's a cliché, but stress can be a factor in pregnancy. External or internal stressors can cause stress hormones such as cortisol to circulate, and research shows that stress can affect the body. 

To escape stressful situations, you can give yourself a day off for a short walk or jog. Many fun activities can help you get out of stressful situations. Stress is like a night of laughter with friends or a bubble bath. You can try aromatherapy, massage or acupuncture treatment. Of course, exercise is one of the best ways to fight stress!

Also Read: Pregnancy And Hypothyroidism: Symptoms, Effects And Treatment 

7. Boost Your Water Intake

Water helps remove toxins from the body. Plus, it also helps to hydrate the cells and the skin. Aim to drink 8 glasses of water daily to boost your immune health.

8. Get A Good Sleep

When we sleep, our body heals itself, and sleep is nutrition for your immune system. It's important to try to get a good night's sleep. If you have trouble falling asleep at night, consider removing screens from the bedroom, meditating before bed, and reducing caffeine.

Which Fruits Are Best For Fertility?

Fruits are extremely good for our health, and we should include at least 1 fruit per day in our diet to stay fit & healthy. The fruits which are best for boosting our fertility are:

The Final Say

In many instances, a weakened immune system may contribute to miscarriage, as the body perceives the developing foetus as an unfamiliar element. There are other causes of infertility related to the immune system. Inadequate tolerance due to excess parental immunity is the cause of most immune deficiencies, regardless of the stage of pregnancy, due to the reluctance to mount a pregnant alloimmune immune response. 

You should remember that a varied and balanced diet is important to increase your fertility, as you know all about immune infertility symptoms. Therefore, looking for signs of an overactive immune system is an important first step in treating a weakened immune system. Following a balanced diet can be a big step towards your goal. Therefore, you should remember that a varied and balanced diet is important to increase your fertility.

FAQs

1. Are eggs good for fertility?

Yes, most doctors recommend organic eggs for health reasons. Eggs are rich in choline minerals and Omega-3 fatty acids, which are important for brain development. Eating whole eggs is also a good source of protein and many micronutrients, including vitamin D, B12 and CoQ10. 

2. Can almonds increase fertility?

Almonds are a simple food that can stimulate ovulation and keep sperm healthy. They contain omega-3 fatty acids that increase the chances of pregnancy. Almonds also contain vitamin E, an antioxidant that helps increase sperm count and motility.

3. How can I check my fertility?

There are many options, but the three main options include ovulation markers, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) tests, and sperm analysis. There are many types of these tests; they vary widely in price and accuracy, and there is no “one size fits all” fertility test.

4. What boosts fertility fast?

Taking extra care of your health, diet, and lifestyle may help boost fertility. 

References 

• Immune infertility in men - ScienceDirect

• 6 foods that boost fertility | UCLA Health

• How Does Your Immune System Affect Fertility?

• Autoimmune Issues and Infertility - New Braunfels Fertility Center

• Immune Aspects of Female Infertility - PMC

• Top 10 Fertility-Boosting Fruits for Women: A Natural Path to Parenthood

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