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, therefore Ayurveda provides a holistic approach in treating infertility.
According to the WHO report about 2-10% of couples worldwide are unable to conceive primarily and about 60-80% couples in the world are infertile. It is estimated that 10% of normally fertile couples fail to conceive within their first year of attempt. Further 10-25% couples experience secondary infertility. Among these couples, causative factors are found about 30-40% in females and 10-30% in males.
According to Ayurveda, womb preparation is the most important factor to attain fertility. Ayurveda fertility treatment/ panchakarma treatment regularize and improve metabolism. It maintains and keeps all the tri doshas Vata, Pitta, and Kapha in an equilibrium state. It keeps all the hormones and reproductive system in an equilibrium state. It removes all the toxins from the body and regularizes menstrual cycles.
Acharya shusrutha in his sharira sthana ch 3 explains, how the sperm and ovum should be,
“Soumyam shukram agneyam artavam”
Shukram/Sperms should be cold at nature and Artavam/Ovum should be like fire.
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 according to modern science.
Causes
All of the steps during ovulation and fertilization need to happen correctly in order to get pregnant. Sometimes the issues that cause infertility in couples are present at birth, and sometimes they develop later in life.
Infertility causes can affect one or both partners. In general:
• In about one-third of cases, there is an issue with the man
• In about one-third of cases, there is an issue with the woman
• In the remaining cases, there are issues with both the man and the woman, or no cause can be found
Genetic factors, changed lifestyle, increased stress and environmental pollution are identified as factors contributing to the rise of infertility.
Blocked fallopian tubes, defect in cervical canal, uterine fibroids or polyps. Hormonal imbalance leading to ovulation problems too can cause infertility.
In males infertility may have anatomical, psychological, and hormonal or lifestyle related causes.
Ayurvedic Perspective
Ayurveda, the disease entities vandhyatva & Napumsakatva are the closest approximation to female & male infertility respectively.
Ayurveda consider this problem as a cause of deterioration of quality of four factors i.e.
• time of ovulation
• female health in context of reproductive system
• quality of sperm and ovum
• females proper nutrition.
Vajikarana is one of the eight branches of Ayurveda which specifically deals with the Shukra dhatu (semen & ovum) and sexual potencification to have healthier progeny.
Treatment principles of Infertility in Ayurveda
▪︎ 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.
▪︎ Vatanulomana
The main dosha involved in infertility is Vata. So Vatanulomana (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 Vatanulomana.
▪︎ Sodhana
Suitable sneha-swedas are done prior to sodhana.
Then treatment modalities like Vamana (emesis), Virechana (puragation), 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 krama (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.
▪︎ Shamana
Ayurveda treatments help in releasing tension and removing impurities from the body. 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.
Ayurvedic herbs
Infertility itself does not stand alone. It is the result of some other disease. So the herbs used in the treatment are directed towards eradicating the underlying cause.
The most commonly used herbs in treating infertility includes –
• Ovulation disorder – Ashoka, Dashmoola, Shatavari, Aloe vera, Guggulu etc.
• Premature ovarian failure (POF) – Ashoka, Dashmoola, Shatavari, Guduchi, Jeevanti etc.
• Blocked fallopian tubes, adhesions (scar tissue) and pelvic inflammatory disease – Guduchi, Ashwagandha, Punarnava etc.
No individual herb alone is considered useful for promoting fertility. Therefore, a combination of herbs is used in the treatment of infertility with the purpose of correcting an organic or functional problem that causes infertility
Why should you choose Ayurveda for Infertility treatment?
▪︎ Works on root cause
Unlike other treatment procedures that jump straight to symptom management, Ayurveda plans to address the root-cause of the disease. It begins by detoxifying the body so that medicines can work better towards treating the actual root-cause of the disease.
▪︎ More than just medications
Other than medicines, the diet and lifestyle play a very important role in complementing the effect of medicines as well as sustaining the benefit of treatment after the medicines have ended. So, Ayurveda equally focuses on your diet & lifestyle.
▪︎ Reduces future health risks
Since Ayurveda focuses on the root-cause of the disease, it effectively reduces the risk of severe health complications arising out of the untreated underlying cause. Patients who complete their Ayurveda treatment have a reduced risk of health complications later.
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