Ayurveda describes infertility as a condition in which an individual cannot contribute to conception due to a biological inability caused by several factors. In women, infertility can also be described as the inability to carry the pregnancy to a full term.
Considering the causative factors like high-stress levels, poor dietary choices, sedentary lifestyle, pollution, infertility in both men and women has become a common problem. Moreover, the number of couples looking forward to expensive fertility treatment methods has also been increasing. In this context, it makes sense to resort to the traditional wisdom that Ayurveda offers to holistically approach the infertility problem and facilitate the process of conception.
Male Infertility
Infertility in male is caused due to several factors which include abnormal production or function of sperm, health and lifestyle choices and exposure to certain environmental factors. Ayurveda realised the problem of infertility in men thousands of years ago and laid down the treatments and therapies to cure it. At MoyaAjurweda, we follow these ancient and traditional therapies along with a healthy diet and lifestyle remedies to help the couple conceive.
Causes of Infertility in Men
As explained by Ayurveda, the following are the causes of male infertility.
Congenital Abnormalities or Bijadushti Vyadhi : Certain abnormalities in the gametes can lead to structural and developmental disorders of the reproductive system.
Diseases of Sperm or Sukradosha: Sukradosha or seminal morbidity could result due to the following factors:
Dietary factors – When foods with dry, bitter, salty, astringent, and acidic properties are consumed habitually and in excess quantity, it could lead to seminal morbidity.
Behavioural factors – Certain behavioural factors that lead to Shukradosha are sexual abuse, untimely sexual union, excess bodily exertion, absolute abstinence from sex, suppression of natural urges and sexual union with an unresponsive partner.
Sleeping late at night can lead to vitiation of Rakta and Pitta dosha in the body leading to Shukrakshaya, i.e. degradation or deficit of the quality and quantity of Shukra dhatu.
Psychological factors – Some of the psychological factors that can contribute to infertility are anxiety, anger, grief, lack of mutual love, fear, etc.
Klaibya or Male Sexual Dysfunctions: Klaibya can be caused due to several factors like old age, exhaustion of Shukra, mental worries, debilitating diseases like diabetes mellitus, overstraining of the body, excessive indulgence in sex.
Male Infertility Treatment in Ayurveda
Among the eight major specialities of the Ashtanga Ayurveda, Vajikarana deals with the sexual well-being of an individual. The Ayurvedic treatment for infertility in men includes –
Yogasana: Incorporating the following yogasanas in daily life can help to maintain balance within the mind, body, and spirit and prevent infertility – Padmasana (lotus pose), Bhujangasana (cobra pose), Sarvangasana (shoulder stand), Paschimottanasana (seated forward bend), Parivrtta trikonasana (twisted triangle pose).
Ayurvedic Medicines: In Ayurveda, different dravyas or medicines are used for the treatment of male infertility, such as:
Milk, ghee, Shatavari, Ashwagandha to enhance the semen
Sugarcane and Kushtha to purify the semen
Herbs like Brahmi, Shatavari and Guduchi to improve the fertilization capacity
Kesar, garlic, long pepper, lavanga, etc. can be used to improve the libido
Nutmeg, Ashwagandha and Chandana dravyas work quite well to prevent premature ejaculation
Recommended Diet: Ayurveda recommends including fresh fruits, vegetables and meat in a balanced quantity in your daily diet to maintain physical and sexual health. Dry fruits like almonds, figs, dates, walnuts may also be consumed daily. Customised Diet plan and lifestyle modifications as per individual requirements are advisable.
Female Infertility
Female infertility is often caused due to hormonal imbalances, problems in the body, lifestyle and environmental factors. Certain structural issues can also contribute to female infertility, such as a defect in the cervical canal, blocked fallopian tube, or uterine fibroids.
As explained in Ayurveda, the reproductive health of both men and women depends on the condition of the Shukra dhatu or reproductive tissues. Shukra dhatu is responsible for the production of the ovum in women, and it can be affected by numerous reasons like lack of balanced diet, physical or mental disease, poor digestion, etc. which may obstruct the reproductive channels.
Ayurveda also states the importance of three doshas, i.e. Sadhaka Pitta, Prana Vata and Apana Vata that govern the female reproductive system. Hence, the Ayurvedic treatment for infertility in women aims at balancing these doshas and healing the body from within.
Types
Female infertility can be classified into the following categories.
Vandhya or Complete Sterility: This condition is incurable. In Vandhya, the woman has completely lost her Artava or menstruation and can’t ovulate. Another reason that may be contributing to complete sterility is the underdevelopment of the female reproductive organs.
Apraja or Primary Infertility: In this condition, the woman is unable to conceive a child. The inability to carry a child for the full duration or pregnancy leading to miscarriage is also termed as the condition of primary infertility. Primary infertility is treatable and is mostly the result of an unhealthy diet and lifestyle. The imbalance of Vata leading to dryness in the cervix and the fallopian tube can also cause primary infertility.
Secondary Infertility: The secondary infertility is a condition occurring in women who have conceived before. Due to some complications that may have developed during their earlier pregnancy, they are unable to conceive again.
Depending on the complications, secondary infertility can be treated.
Female Infertility Treatment in Ayurveda
Some of the natural remedies followed to improve ovulation and treat infertility in women are:
Eating Healthy: It is recommended to go for organic foods free from pesticides as much as possible otherwise it could lead to hormonal imbalance. Consuming foods rich in folate is advised as it helps to build new cells in the body and prevent the occurrence of birth defects. Certain items that must be included in the diet are milk, nuts, ghee, dates, saffron, bean, peas, honey, and spices like turmeric and cumin. Although customised diet plan and lifestyle modification advise is needed in every unique female.
Exercise to Balance the Hormones: Taking time out for regular exercise keeps the body healthy and balances the hormones. It also increases the chances of conceiving.
Yoga: Yoga reduces stress and helps with fertility issues as well. Some of the yoga postures for women’s reproductive health are Nadi Shodhan Pranayama or alternate nostril breathing, Bhramari Pranayam or bee breath, Viparita Karani (legs up the wall pose) and Hastapadasana (standing forward bend). As infertility in women is majorly caused when the reproductive tissue or Shukra dhatu is deprived of nutrition, Ayurvedic treatments for ovulation focus on moving the nutrients from food to effectively nourish the Shukra dhatu.
Swedanam: Swedanam is performed with the aim to induce sweat and flush out the toxins with it. This process involves heavy blankets and exercises to induce sweating.
Vamanam: It is an uncomfortable exercise, but helps to get rid of undigested food through vomiting. Thus, Vamanam therapy is an essential detoxifying therapy as per reuirement only.
Phala Ghritam: This female infertility treatment involves the consumption of Ayurvedic medicines for conceiving in the form of liquefied butter combined with milk.
Gokshura: The Gokshura herb is known to stimulate the ovary and benefit women dealing with infertility issues. It also works well for women who don’t ovulate because of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. Other herbs that are used in Ayurvedic medicine for fertility and proper functioning of reproductive organs are Shatavari, Shatpushpa, Laxmana, Ashoka, Dashmool, Lashun, Lodhra.
Shodhana: Detoxification and essential panchakarma therapies which helps to eliminate toxins from the body, open up the bodily channels, and thereby, maintain healthy circulation in the body. Moreover, it enhances ovarian, tubular and uterine functioning and corrects fertility disorders.
Research Based Guided Meditation and Holistic Approach for Male and Female Fertility
Meditation is one of the tools widely used to release hormones that help during the fertility journey, pregnancy and birth. One of these hormones is cortisol, the hormone “guilty” for creating stress. By meditating, the level of cortisol can be reduced.
Dr Harpreet believes “Meditation also decreases the damage to your cells by releasing another hormone, DHEA, known to prolong the life of cells, including eggs.” It means that, over the longer term, meditation and general well-being have a knock-on effect on the quality of eggs and sperm, and thereby the chances of conception.
Meditation help releases the happiness (or love) hormone oxytocin which helps with birth, bonding with the baby and milk production. Oxytocin, along with serotonin, increase your good mood.
Research studies on the effects of meditation on fertility
There are many studies on the effects of meditation and mindfulness on fertility/infertility. A research paper published in 2012 studied the effects of a yoga-focused prenatal program. The study showed significant improvement of stress, anxiety, labour self-confidence and labour pain for women who were pregnant following IVF.
A more recent study, published in 2016 (read abstract here), reports on a development of a Partnership and Coping Enhancement Programme (PCEP) on couples suffering from infertility. The program consisted of two sections—partnership and coping— to be delivered to infertile couples on the day of embryo transfer, consisting of meditation, sharing experiences etc. The programme was designed to “facilitate mutual sharing and support in infertile couples, and to improve their individual and dyadic coping strategies while undergoing IVF treatment, especially in the period when they are waiting for the results of a pregnancy test and after the disclosure of a negative treatment outcome.”
A 2017 review article showed that yoga can help couples overcome infertility and increase the Assisted Reproductive Transfer success rate by improving the physiological and psychological states of both men and women. Among the benefits of yoga, the article cites pain reduction, decrease of depression, anxiety, and stress, reduce the rate of assisted vaginal delivery, and improve fetal outcomes. The review focuses on both males and females.
A study published in Journal of Endometriosis and Pelvic Pain Disorders (JEPPD) in 2016 suggests that a 12-week program may improve the general well-being of infertile women awaiting IVF. The programme included sessions of mindfulness meditation, relaxation, guided imagery and others.
Why Choose MoyaAjurweda for the Ayurvedic treatment of Infertility?
MoyaAjurweda offers well-designed programs to treat infertility in women and help them conceive by improving the quality of ovum and environment of the reproductive system so that proper fertilisation and implantation can take place. Our programs also offer Ayurvedic treatment for male infertility to facilitate better quality sperm production and sperm mobility.
The Ayurveda therapies that we use at MoyaAjurweda are planned according to the body constitution of the individual and offer effective results in treating the causative factors of infertility. Whatever the problem may be, with our Ayurveda therapies, you can get on the way to a healthy pregnancy and improve your overall health.
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