The first frosty mornings, a cough doing the rounds at work, a sniffly nose and that slightly scratchy throat you're hoping is nothing. Autumn always has a way of putting our defences to the test. Here's the thing - your immune system is so much more than a bug fighter. Think of it as a smart security team, constantly deciding who's a friend and who's a foe. That job matters when the colds arrive, and, as it turns out, it matters for fertility too.
Autumn and your defences - the Chinese medicine view
In Chinese medicine, Autumn belongs to the Lungs. The Lungs look after our Wei Qi, a protective layer of energy that sits at the surface of the body, a little like an invisible coat. When Wei Qi is strong we shrug off the bugs. When it's run down by stress, poor sleep or a long busy summer, wind and cold find it much easier to get in. Guess where they sneak in first? The back of the neck. There's a clever acupuncture point there aptly called Wind Pool, and if you have read my headaches post, you'll know why I keep going on about scarves!
Everyday foundations - for everyone
Wrap up your neck - a scarf is honestly one of the simplest bits of Chinese medicine self-care there is, whatever the season.
Warm, cooked food - soups, stews and porridge, with warming kitchen helpers like ginger, garlic and spring onion.
Pears for a dry throat - Chinese medicine sees autumn as a dry season, and gently poached pears are a lovely traditional way to moisten the Lungs.
Vitamin D - UK guidance suggests everyone considers a daily vitamin D supplement through Autumn and Winter, when our sunlight just isn't strong enough. As a lovely bonus, vitamin D plays a part in keeping your immune system balanced, and many of our immune cells actually carry receptors for it.
Earlier nights - as the days shorten, our bodies naturally want more rest, so follow the light where you can.
Daylight and gentle movement - a brisk walk in the morning light does wonders for mood, sleep and defences.
A happy gut - a large part of your immune system lives around your gut, so fibre, colourful veg and fermented foods like kefir or sauerkraut are well worth a place on your plate.
Breathe and let go - Autumn is the season of letting go in Chinese medicine, and slow breathing with a longer out breath is a lovely way to settle a busy nervous system.
Your immune system and fertility - here's where things get interesting
Pregnancy is one of the body's most incredible balancing acts. Half of an embryo's genes come from someone else, and yet the immune system needs to welcome it rather than treat it as an intruder. It doesn't simply switch off. Instead, it needs to be a bit like Goldilocks' - have not too much, not too little, but be just right. Implantation actually relies on a small, well-controlled burst of inflammation to help the embryo settle in. Too little and things may not get going, too much and the welcome can turn a little hostile.
Take natural killer cells, or NK cells. Despite the dramatic name, the NK cells in the lining of the uterus behave very differently to the ones in your blood. Their job is to help build a healthy blood supply for the developing placenta. Think of them less like bouncers and more like builders.
The honest bit - why it's a hot topic
Reproductive immunology looks at whether this immune balance might be playing a part when someone has repeated unsuccessful IVF cycles or recurrent miscarriage, and no other explanation has been found.
I'm really fascinated by this area, but I'll be honest with you, it's still hotly debated. Many tests measure NK cells in the blood, which don't necessarily tell us what's happening in the uterus. HFEA, the UK fertility regulator, currently rates several immune treatments offered alongside IVF, such as steroids and immunoglobulin infusions, as not having good enough evidence to recommend for most patients. At the same time, some specialists believe a specific group of people may really benefit, and research is ongoing.
Even so, immune testing is available at a number of private fertility clinics here in the UK, as well as abroad, including in Spain and Greece. It's usually offered to people who have had recurrent miscarriage or repeated unsuccessful IVF. So if it comes up in your consultations, or you've seen it mentioned online, you're certainly not alone in wondering about it.
Listen in - Don't Tell Me To RELAX
If you'd like to dig a little deeper, I'd recommend this episode of the Don't Tell Me To RELAX fertility podcast, hosted by Hannah Pearn. She's joined by Dr Yau Thum, who leads the reproductive immunology research team at the Lister Fertility Clinic in London. They talk through what reproductive immunology actually is, why it's so tricky to research, how NK cells are tested, who might consider testing, and why it costs what it does.
What is reproductive immunology? - with Dr Yau Thum
It was recorded in early 2024, so do bear in mind that research and guidance in this area keep moving.
Where acupuncture and Chinese medicine come in
I might be biased, but this is where I love putting my detective hat on. In clinic I look at the bigger picture - your gut, sleep, stress, cycle, any inflammation or old infections - all the things that shape whether your immune system feels calm or on high alert. Chinese medicine has always seen the body as one connected whole, and this is exactly where it shines. I can also help you make sense of testing results, so you feel more in control of the decisions ahead.
If you're trying to conceive
Start with the basics - ask your GP whether your thyroid (including thyroid antibodies), vitamin D and iron stores have been checked, as well as your hormones and if relevant partner’s sperm.
Look after your gut - steady, nourishing meals and fewer ultra-processed foods help keep inflammation in check.
Don't brush off niggles - recurring thrush, urine infections or unusual discharge are worth getting looked at properly.
If you've had more than one miscarriage - please ask your GP or fertility clinic which investigations might be right for you.
Let's look at the bigger picture together
Whether you'd simply like to sail through the winter with fewer sniffles, or you're wondering whether your immune system might be part of your fertility story, please do get in touch - I'd love to help.