- A woman discovered her infertility was caused by an immune reaction to her husband’s DNA after failed IVF attempts.
- The couple is now undergoing specialized treatment and sharing their story to encourage others facing unexplained infertility to seek answers and support each other.
A woman has revealed how she discovered that her struggles with infertility were caused by an unusual biological reaction to her husband’s DNA, a condition that prevented her from conceiving despite years of trying.
Alex Murphy Klein said she and her husband, Paul, never expected fertility to become a major issue so early in their marriage. The couple, who tied the knot in 2023, assumed starting a family would be “quick and easy.” However, after more than a year without success, they sought medical advice.
Initial hospital tests showed no obvious problems, and the couple was diagnosed with unexplained infertility. Their first attempt at IVF failed, leaving Alex with the feeling that something deeper was wrong.
“I just had to put the brakes on,” she told ITV’s This Morning, explaining that she felt continuing treatment without answers would lead to more disappointment.
Further investigation through at-home blood testing by Fertilysis revealed the underlying cause: Alex had a genetic predisposition that caused her immune system to react negatively to Paul’s DNA. As a result, her body was effectively preventing conception.
“It sounds like a crazy headline,” Alex said, describing how her immune system was “putting the brakes on” pregnancy. Doctors explained that proceeding with IVF without addressing the issue would likely continue to fail.
To treat the condition, the couple began lymphocyte immunization therapy (LIT), a process that involves injecting processed samples of Paul’s blood into Alex to help her immune system develop tolerance.
“It’s like immunotherapy,” Alex explained. Alongside LIT, she also received additional treatments aimed at regulating her immune response. At the time of the interview, she had completed four injections.
Alex believes discovering the condition early spared them the emotional and financial strain of repeated unsuccessful IVF cycles. Both she and Paul emphasized the importance of facing fertility challenges together.
“It’s really important that you face it as a couple,” Paul said.
