Infertility: An Ayurveda perspective

Vandhyatva (in Females) & Shandhatva (in Males)

Excessive mental, emotional and physical stress can worsen the symptoms of many chronic disorders, including its impact on Fertility.

This is due to hormonal changes and other biochemical responses to stress that can imbalance the nervous system. Trying to get pregnant can be very stressful. What is important is that getting pregnant can be facilitated by optimizing your health. It is easy to say it but basically just try to relax and let nature work her course. Also remember that when we are tense then our channels and vessels are constricted. If this happens with the uterus then the fallopian tubes, the blood vessels nourishing the uterus can also be constricted, which is the opposite of what is needed to conceive.

What is infertility?

According to Ayurveda Infertility primarily refers to the biological inability of a woman of reproductive age to contribute to conception & also the state of a woman who is unable to carry pregnancy to full term.

Infertility is also defined as the failure to conceive after a year of regular intercourse without contraception or to retain the Fetus till childbirth is called infertility according to modern science.

The problem of infertility is fairly common nowadays and it has become need of the hour to find out solution which is having less complications & affordable.

Ayurvedic background about importance of treatment of Infertility is fully explored in ancient literature Atharvaveda

It is a problem, which not only affects the physical life of the woman but also disturbs the social and emotional life of the couple. Infertility is also assigned to factors relating to non production of sperms or to other reasons relating to quality

Causes of infertility

In Ayurveda main cause of any abnormal function in body is Agnimandya (vitiation of the digestive fire of body) & Tridosha Dushti (vitiation of three governing factors of body).

Problems with infertility can arise when nutrition does not reach the reproductive tissue; this can happen due to undernutrition, poor digestion or obstruction due to toxins. Having sex by compulsion with a person whom you do not like.

Regular intake of foods that have hot potency like spicy, salty increases pitta and destroys Shukra (semen).

Overindulgence in sexual activities leads to Shukra Kshaya. It may lead to kailaibya (impotency).

Controlling sexual urges for longer duration leads to veerya avarodha (Obstruction of semen) and this leads to decreased libido.

Infertility can also arise when the reproductive tissue is damaged by infection or trauma.

Some acquire the impotency by birth.

General Guidelines for treatment (Ayurveda)

Ayurveda supports health by strengthening body's own self-healing and balancing mechanisms and doesn't rely on intervention by any outside or foreign substance to replace or correct the hormones in the body.

It focuses on the treatment of infertility holistically with an aim of improving the overall health and quality of life of the individual.

Agni Deepana and Ama Pachana Ama formation (toxins created when undigested food forms in the stomach) by the imbalance in Agni (the power of digestion) lead to many diseases. Therefore, the treatment of Ama must always include the treatment of Agni, including the use of digestive and carminative Ayurvedic formulations, eating meals at proper time following an appropriate schedule. Ayurveda Panchakarma treatments help to eliminate Ama thus corrects Agni. Healthy Agni will also contribute to healthy Ojas.
Vataanulomana The main Dosha involved in infertility is Vata. So Vataanulomana (correcting the functions of Vata) is very important in the treatment of infertility. Ayurvedic formulations, following routine exercises and strict diet schedule will help in Vataanulomana.
Sodhana (Clearing any obstructions or blockages via Panchakarma or Internal medications) Suitable snehana & Swedana are done prior to sodhana (Cleansing). Then treatment modalities like Vamana (emesis), Virechana (purgation), Vasti (medicated enema) and Utharavasti special enema administered through urethral or vaginal routes) are done as per the condition of the patient. The patient has to follow peyadi karma (strict dietary regimen to be followed after Sodhana). This detoxification therapy helps in the expulsion of the toxins from the body. These therapies help to correct ovarian, tubular and uterine problems causing infertility.
Ayurveda treatments help in releasing tension and removing impurities from the body. Ensures that the nervous system is relaxed .They nourish the body, revitalize the mind and strengthen the immune system. They are beneficial in reducing stress, nourishing all dhatus of the body and pacifying Vata.

FEMALE FERTILITY

The very 1st beginning of female reproductive life starts with menarche. Female fertility or infertility is decided by the balance or imbalances in the menstrual cycles.

The Ayurvedic view of the menstrual cycle

Average menses are considered to be 4-5 days, moderate flow, moderate color, no clots, no discomfort.

Kapha phase: End of bleeding until ovulation is a time of building the endometrium and increasing Kapha. (Estrogen is increasing).

Pitta phase: Ovulation until bleeding. (Progesterone is high and is secreted by the corpus luteum - prepares endometrium for implantation and breasts for milk secretion).

Vata phase: Apana Vayu (the downward descending wind) pushes the menstruum down and out, therefore emptying the contents of the womb.

If there is any disturbance in these phases then they need to be balanced. The main problem with the female menstrual cycle is that the downward descending energy (Apana Vayu) is blocked.

This causes all sorts of fluctuations from pain, bloating, dryness, anxiety, insomnia, scanty periods, irregular cycle, clots and infertility.

The strategy is to first clear any obstructions and then to tone with nourishment boosting herbs.

Tips to balance the menstrual cycle

Ensure that there is no obstruction in the pelvic cavity; this means making sure you are not constipated and have no pain during ovulation or menstruation
Daily self-massage with warm sesame oil or medicated oils like Dhanwantharam Thailam, followed by a warm shower or bath. Focus on a clockwise abdominal massage for 5 minutes a day.

How to balance Doshas

Balance Vata: during the Vata bleeding phase by relaxing, resting, staying warm and calm. Especially keep your abdomen warm and avoid the cold.
Balance Kapha: during the proliferative phase by eating nourishing soups that strengthen the blood and enhance ovulation- include beetroots, aloe Vera, Shatavari, and whole grains in your diet.
Balance pitta: during the last phase of the cycle by keeping off foods that might aggravate heat and stress in your body, i.e. coffee, chocolate, alcohol. Increase your yoga practice, have lots of warm baths and clockwise abdominal massage and add Ashoka Triphala and Aloe Vera in your regime to keep the pelvic region uncongested.

Ayurvedic herbs used in the treatment for infertility

Ovulation problem – Ashoka, Dashmoola, Shatavari, Aloe Vera, Guggul, etc.
Premature ovarian failure (POF) – Ashoka, Dashmoola, Shatavari, Guduchi, Jeevanti, etc.
Blocked fallopian tubes, adhesions (scar tissue) and pelvic inflammatory disease - Guduchi, Punarnava etc.
The most commonly known and used herbs such as Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera), Shatavari (Asparagus racemousus), Amalaki (Emblica officinalis) are extremely useful formulations which help create the synergistic hormonal balance between the Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) and the Luteinizing Hormone (LH).

MALE FERTILITY

It can be caused by all sorts of sperm defects (low volume, low motility, irregular shape), erectile dysfunction and obstructions (varicocele and prostatitis).

Maintaining fertility

Optimizing fertility is one of the major area covered in Ayurveda.

There are certain foods and herbs that have an affinity for the reproductive system that anyone wanting to enhance their fertility should include in their diet.

These are usually foods that have qualities of sweetness, nourishment and building. Examples include There are two kinds of foods and herbs that help enhance Shukra dhatu (sperm quality), and therefore help enhance fertility.

One is called 'Burmhana', and these foods enhance Shukra by enhancing all the seven dhatus (seven body tissues and last being sperm in males)
'Vrishya' foods and herbs target Shukra dhatu in particular

Foods to Nourish All Seven Dhatus (Burmhana)

Fresh, organic fruits and vegetables
Nuts: Almonds, walnuts and pumpkin seeds
Dairy proteins, including milk, cream, ghee, lassi(buttermilk), and a fresh cheese made of milk or cottage cheese
Sweet, juicy fruits such as mangoes, peaches, plums, and pears
Dried fruits such as dates, figs, and raisins
Herbs like Ashoka (Saraca indica), Amla (Indian gooseberry, Emblica officinalis), Pippali (Piper longum), Haritaki (Terminalia chebula), etc., are age-old proven rejuvenators.
Generic preparations like Chyavanprashavaleha, Brahmi Ghrita, and Agastya Haritaki Avaleha are prescribed for the gain and maintenance of strength and vigor.

Foods to Enhance the Reproductive Tissue (Vrishya)

Milk , milk-date shake, Mango
Rice pudding
Spices such as Carrom seeds powder, Cumin seeds(which purifies the uterus in women and the genitourinary tract in men), Turmeric (to improve the interaction between hormones and targeted tissues), and black cumin, fenugreek, garlic, onion, and Liquorice are said to invigorate the reproductive organs.
Herbs: Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera), Shatavari (Asparagus racemosa) is considered the most important rejuvenative tonic for women .
Gokshura (Tribulis terrestris),
Bala (Sida cordifolia).