Infertility

Infertility Treatment in Ayurveda

In India, infertility affects roughly 3 crore people, which is about 10-15% of couples. Infertility is a condition where a person cannot achieve pregnancy after a period of unprotected intercourse for 12 months. According to Ayurveda, infertility is seen as an imbalance in Doshas, Dhatus (tissues), and Agni (Digestive fire), mostly caused by the presence of Ama (toxins) along with poor nutrition.

According to the WHO, one in every six people faces this problem globally. This condition not only affects the individual but also their family and community. In India, most people blame women for not being able to conceive a child, but in most cases, about 40-50%, males are the reason.

What is infertility?

ayurvedic treatment of Infertility is a disease of the male or female reproductive system and can be described by the inability of a male or female to conceive after 12 months of unprotected sexual intercourse.

In females over 35 years, infertility is determined by 6 months of trying and not getting pregnant. It is quite a common problem, and it can be due to various reasons, including unknown factors. Infertility can be treated by various methods like GIFT, ZIFT, etc.

Types of infertility

Infertility is divided into two types: Primary infertility and Secondary infertility.

• Primary infertility- can be described by the inability to conceive after regular sexual intercourse for a year with no history of a pregnancy.
• Secondary infertility- can be described by the inability to conceive again after previously getting pregnant one or more times.

Female infertility

Female infertility includes various factors, including Hormonal, physical, and lifestyle functions. To diagnose and get the preferred treatment, one should understand these factors carefully. But sometimes infertility can be caused by some unknown factors.

Tubal disorders- Tubal disorders are a result of previous surgery of the pelvic area, complications of unsafe abortion, or due to PID or untreated sexually transmitted infections (STI’s), which in turn cause blockage of the fallopian tubes.

Ovarian disorders- This includes Ovarian cyst, Primary ovarian insufficiency (POI), which causes abnormal function of the ovaries, leading to irregular periods and, in turn, Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), in which there is an excess of androgen (male hormone), which causes hormonal imbalance, irregular periods, and ultimately infertility.

Uterine disorders- Uterine disorders include inflammatory diseases such as endometriosis, after birth (benign disease) such as fibroids, which are tumour-like outgrowths in the uterine smooth muscles, but they are non-cancerous and much more.

Congenital defects in reproductive system- Such as a septate uterus, in which the uterus is divided into two parts by a fibrous septum, Pinhole cervix or septate, tubal spasm, hypoplastic uterus or ovaries etc .

Endocrine disorders- The endocrine system consists of the pituitary gland and hypothalamus of the brain, and the disorders in these parts, like hypopituitarism and pituitary cancers, can imbalance reproductive hormones, which in turn cause infertility.

Co-morbidities - Such as Hypothyroidism, hyperprolactinemia , increased insulin levels hypertension etc.

These are the factors that cause female infertility and can vary from person to person and place to place.

Symptoms of infertility in females

Early diagnosis of infertility plays a crucial role in providing suitable treatment. Symptoms of infertility include-

• Irregular periods-having sometimes early or sometimes delayed menstrual cycles, or no periods for months.
• Anovulatory cycles- Due to irregular menstrual
• Recurrent vaginal infection , Dyspareunia, PID
• Severe period cramps, lower back pain, pelvic and abdominal pain , mood swings, etc.
• Hormonal imbalance - Includes Acne on face and body, centripetal sudden weight gain, Facial hair growth, hair thinning or loss , low sex drive

Male infertility

The reasons behind Male infertility also include hormonal, physical, and lifestyle factors.

Spermatogenesis Issues - due to hormonal imbalance and primary testicular disorders

Hormonal imbalance - Problems of the pituitary, hypothalamus, adrenal gland,Accessory gland disorder etc., play an important role in infertility in males. Low testosterone and other hormonal deficiencies can cause infertility.

Obstructive and non- obstructive- Varicocele , hydrocele, epididymal cyst etc.

Psychological factors- Anxiety ,stress, irregular sleep patterns , Night shifts

Sexual dysfunction- Erectile dysfunction, premature ejaculation, low sex drive

Infections- Some infections and other sexually transmitted diseases can cause less sperm production or even block the passage of sperm. Like swelling of the epididymis or testicles. Sexually transmitted diseases include gonorrhea and HIV.

Undescended testicles- In some males, during fetal development, one or both testicles fail to descend into the scrotal sac. These conditions most likely can cause infertility among males.

Surgery and medications- Past surgeries related to prostate or testicular cancer and medications like cancer medications, anabolic steroids, thyroid medicines and many other medications can block the path of sperm or even stop sperm production.

Along with all these reasons, some unknown factors and injuries can also cause infertility in males. But with the right treatment, most of these problems can be fixed.

{ } Link to Male Infertility.

Challenges associated with infertility

Many people take infertility as a thing of shame which is a taboo for a society, but they don’t understand that this is not their fault. Therefore many people do not even go for infertility treatment, but matter doesn’t stop here.

People often blame women for not being able to conceive without even knowing the real reason behind infertility, although infertility can be due to any of the factors of both male and female. According to a study, out of 100 couples who are not able to conceive, 50% are due to male infertility.

Infertility can have a negative impact on the physical and mental health of a person. Spreading awareness among them, and sex education is necessary for precaution, diagnosis, and treatment of the disease.

Diagnosis of infertility

Infertility can be diagnosed only by a healthcare specialist and requires a series of questions and tests. If you think you are facing infertility, then you should talk to a healthcare provider before making further assumptions.

Diagnosis includes-

• Questions- Your doctor will ask you a few questions before further testing. The questions will be related to your period duration, pain, and gaps between cycles.
• Tests- Tests include a physical exam, a pelvic exam, and a pelvic ultrasound. Other tests may also include blood tests and laparoscopy, etc.

After your doctor diagnoses that you are infertile, they can start the treatment procedure.

Treatment of infertility in modern science

After the diagnosis, patients are treated according to their age, type of infertility, and various other factors. There are different methods of treatments including surgeries and Assisted reproductive technology (ART). Let’s take a look at these methods-

• Intrauterine insemination- In this method, sperm is cleaned and prepared and is carefully inserted into the uterus using a catheter (a flexible, tiny tube).
• Fertility medication- These artificial hormones which help to balance hormones and also help in ovulation at desired times. These medicines include letrozole and clomid, which are ovulation-stimulating, and gonadotropins are used for both males and females.
• Surgery- This includes removing any blockages in the fallopian tubes or treating scarring or endometriosis.

• ART- Assisted reproductive technologies are more advanced methods to help patients deal with infertility. These include
• IVF- In-vitro fertilization
• GIFT- Gamete intrafallopian transfer
• ZIFT- Zygote intrafallopian transfer
• ICSI- Intracytoplasmic sperm injection

Disadvantages of modern-day treatment

• Since IVF and IUI is an invasive and painful procedure
• As treatment helps couples have their own child, it also has downsides.
• During artificial insemination or ART, there are chances of conceiving twins or even triplets.
• But modern fertility medication can cause Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome (OHSS), which results in swollen and painful ovaries , Sudden weight gain and mood swings , Hormonal imbalance , Emotional & Psychological Stress and financial burden .

Infertility Treatment in Ayurveda

In ayurveda the cause of infertility is described by the imbalance in body doshas, namely vata (affects ovulation, egg transport, and sperm motility), pitta (affects hormonal balance and metabolism), and kapha (causes blockage, cyst, and weight gain).

According to charak samhita (19/9) there are 20 types of reproductive issues (yoni vyapad) which lead to infertility due to:

• Dushta artava (menstrual irregularities or impurity due to dosha)
• Beej, ritu,kshetra,ambu dosha Add garbha sambhav samagri and explanation
• Mithyacharan (Poor diet and lifestyle)

While modern medicine can cure infertility through different methods ,ayurveda brings in a natural solution for it. There are two methods through which Ayurveda can cure infertility from the root-

Shodhan Chikitsa

• Panchkarma- In panchkarma ayurveda our body is detoxified, and it is made to regenerate itself naturally. In panchakarma, the harmony of the body is balanced by five procedures-
  • Virechana, which balances pitta, improves liver function and hormones;
  • Vamana, which balances kapha;
  • Basti, which regulates vata and supports ovulation and sperm health;
  • Nasya, which detoxifies the brain and balances hormones,
  • Raktamokshana, which purifies blood.
• These treatments support reproductive health along with the overall health of a person.

These treatments support reproductive health along with the overall health of a person.

Shaman Chikitsa

• Via Ayurvedic herbs- Ayurvedic herbs like
  • Ashwagandha, which reduces stress and increases sperm count,
  • Shatvari, which provides nourishment to the female reproductive system and balances hormones in the body,
  • Gokshura, which boosts testosterone and kidney function, and
  • Lodhra, which balances female hormones and supports uterine health, has proved to be very useful for infertile people.
• These procedures, along with a healthy diet, can not only cure infertility but also improve reproductive health. Ayurveda has proved itself reliable by having literally no side effects for any treatment, unlike modern medicine.

Write use of these drugs according to ayurveda perspective in infertility

Prevention of infertility

Infertility is becoming more common nowadays and affecting the lives of many couples. Infertility in both male and female can be diagnosed, treated, or even prevented by taking some healthy habits into play, like-

• Weight management- Maintaining Body mass index (BMI) is crucial because if you are underweight or fat both can cause ovulation-related issues.
• Exercise- Exercise plays an important role in everyone’s life and decreases the chance of infertility by reducing excess body weight.
• Smoking and drinking- Smoking and drinking alcohol have adverse effects on a person’s fertility and also impact the health of a growing infant.
• Eliminating stress and irregular sleep patterns- Mental stress can imbalance the hormones in both males and females, especially affecting ovulation, conceiving, and irregular menstrual cycles. In males, it can affect sperm motility. It is important that you try to keep your mind healthy and happy.
• Changing sedentary diet and lifestyle

Also, these days use of pesticides has made the food close to poison. Avoiding foods with pesticides and toxins like lead, cadmium, etc. can help reduce the chances of infertility.

Why choose Gynnoci?

Infertility is not something you can predict or always prevent. It affects almost 20-30% of couples in India. It can be diagnosed at Gynocci by various procedures and treated accordingly, with different kinds of panchkarma and herbal medications. In some cases, it can be prevented by practicing healthy lifestyle changes.

If you think you are facing infertility or need support or advice on it, you should not think twice and talk to an infertility expert at Gynocci. Gynocci provides the medical support and guidance you need.

Mentioned here with the help classical text charak samhita,sushrut samhita, bhavprakash, etc , …

FAQs

What are the first signs of infertility?

The first and obvious sign is not getting pregnant after unprotected sex repeatedly over a period of 12 months.

What is fertility treatment?

Fertility treatments are medical treatments that regulate hormones, help with ovulation, and perform minor surgical procedures to help infertile couples.

Is infertility usually the woman's fault?

No, infertility is not only a woman’s issue. In many cases the problem can be with the male partner as well. In fact around 45-50% infertility cases involve male factors.

Can I be infertile even if I already have a child?

Yes, this is called secondary infertility. Sometimes couples who already have one child may face difficulty conceiving again due to hormonal changes, age, lifestyle or health conditions.

What causes infertility in men?

Common causes include:

• Low sperm count
• Poor sperm movement
• Hormonal imbalance
• Varicocele
• Lifestyle habits (smoking, alcohol, etc.)

Ayurveda links male fertility with Shukra Dhatu strength, which can get weak due to stress, poor diet and toxins.

What causes infertility in women?

Common causes include

• PCOS
• Endometriosis
• Hormonal imbalance
• Blocked fallopian tubes
• Age related decline in egg quality

At Gynocci, the approach is diagnosis-led Ayurvedic care where the root imbalance in hormones and reproductive health is addressed rather than only symptoms.

What increases a man's risk of infertility?

Risk factors include:

• Smoking and alcohol
• Obesity
• Stress
• Exposure to heat or chemicals
• Poor diet and sleep

Besides, ayurveda also says excessive stress and unhealthy lifestyle weakens reproductive energy.

Is endometriosis a cause of infertility?

Yes, endometriosis can be a cause of infertility because it may affect ovulation, egg quality or block fallopian tubes. But with correct treatment and fertility support many women still conceive successfully.

How is infertility treated?

Infertility treatment depends on the exact cause. Doctors may suggest lifestyle changes, medicines, hormonal treatment, or procedures like IUI and IVF. But these are not always needed for every couple. In Ayurveda, infertility is often linked with imbalance in Vata, Pitta, Kapha and weakness in reproductive tissues (Shukra/Artava Dhatu). Treatment focuses on improving overall reproductive health, hormones and egg/sperm quality. At Gynocci, the approach is diagnosis-led Ayurvedic care where the root cause of infertility is identified first and then personalised herbal medicines, diet guidance and lifestyle correction are used to support natural conception