According to Ayurveda, conception takes place due to healthy sperm, healthy ovum and a healthy uterus. For both men and women, reproductive health depends on the health of the shukra dhatu, or reproductive tissue. In women the shukra tissue creates the ovum as part of the monthly cycle, and in men the semen is formed due to sexual stimulation. The shukra tissue itself is created as part of a long chain of metabolic transformations, starting with the digestion of food and including the transformation of food to nutrient fluid, blood, muscle, fat, bone, bone marrow and finally, to shukra tissue. Healthy shukra tissue, then, according to ayurveda, depends on the health of all the other tissues in the body.
The main causes for infertility according to Ayurveda are eating spicy, salty and hot food that increase pitta and destroys shukra (semen), overindulgence in sexual activities that leads to shukra kshaya (loss of semen) it may also cause clibya (impotency), controlling sexual urges for longer duration that results in veeryaavarodha (Obstruction of semen) and leads to decreased libido. In some cases impotency is acquired by birth also.
Ayurvedic treatment for infertility :
** Body Constitution of both the partners are to be evaluated and any blockages are to be cleared and weakness to be tonified.
**Women to stay relaxed as when tensed the fallopian tubes, the blood vessels nourishing the uterus can be constricted, which is not conducive for conceiving.
** Men to avoid alcohol and smoking, reduce poor quality fats in the diet, and increase exercise.
** Yogasanas like Padmasana increases blood flow to the perineum and directs prana (life force) to the lower two chakras that govern sexual functions.
** Ayurvedic herbs such as Gokshura (Tribulis terrestris), Guduchi (Tinosporia cordifolia) and Triphala are very much to clear the blockage Shatavari (Asparagus racemosa) is a rejuvenative tonic for women. Kapikacchu (Mucuna pruriens) is a proven medicine for increasing the sperm and defective sperm formation.
Ayurvedic Concept of Sexual Rejuvenation
Ayurveda recognises the importance of a full and active life which facilitates the fulfilment of one’s duties. According to Charaka, the ancient Ayurvedic teacher, even saints and holy men of yore found that their long stay in the plains as mendicants had sapped their vitality. Therefore they sought refuge in the Himalayas where Indra gave them the secret of rejuvenation therapy.
What is Rejuvenation Therapy?
Rejuvenation therapy is known in Ayurveda as Rasayana chikitsa. It seeks to ward off decay and debilitation through a mix of massages, medicines and right conduct. The treatment is indicated for two types of patients: those who have become debilitated prematurely through dissipation and bad habits; and those who are ageing naturally but would like to ward off the physical manifestations of old age.
Sexual Rejuvenation
This treatment is known in Ayurveda as Vajeekarana or enhancement of sexual prowess. This is resorted to in case of patients who, though young, have become impotent due to natural causes or due to excessive indulgence; those who have lost their normal sexual urge or those who suffer from the effects of venereal diseases.
Semen is considered as one of the seven vital elements of the body. Ayurveda considers semen as the source of physical beauty, energy, intelligence and physical strength. Loss of semen due to over-indulgence or other reasons can lead to severe illnesses including loss of memory, depression and physical weakness.
Ayurveda has very potent and time tested medicines for sexual rejuvenation such as Dasamoolarishta, Aswagandharishta, Saraswatarishta, Sidhamakaradhwajam, Narasimha rasyana etc. Body massage, including Njavarakkizhi and dhara are also indicated in persons who are physically weak. Such treatment should, however, be taken on the advice of experts in Ayurveda.
Vajikarna and infertility
For the convience, the ayurveda has been divided in to eight branches. The different aspects of the life are well addressed by these branches. The wholistic approach of the ancient wisdom is well appreciated in this division. Kayachikitsa, Shalya Tantra, Shalakya Tantra, Kaumara-Bhritya, Bhuta-vidya, Agada – tantra, Rasayana-tantra and Vajikarana are the eight divisions.
Vajikarana is the science dealing with the promotion of sexual health and the management of seminal disorders and male sexual disorders. It also describes the means for health progeny.
Basic aim of the therapy is to procreate healthy progeny and to increase sexual potency in man. Specific drugs are mentioned to improve sexual vigour, sperm motility and sperm count. Generally all kapha increasing drugs act as vajikarna. Examples
Yasti madhu (Glycyrrhiza glabra),Atma gupta (Mucuna pruriens),Jati phala (Myristica fragrans), Masha (Phaseolus mungo),Aswagandha (Withania somnifera),Satavari (Asparagus racemosus). Abhayanga (oil massage), satvavajaya (positive mind) can also act like Vajikarana.
Functions of Sukra dhatu ( Sperm)
1. Beejartham/Garbhothpadanam – Fertility/ to initiate conception.
2. Harsha – Libido or sexual desire.
3. Deha balam – Strength of the body to withstand adverse extrinsic and intrinsic conditions.
4. Preethi – Fondness or Attraction towards opposite sex.
5. Cyavana – Sensation of proper ejaculation and orgasm.
6. Dhairya – Boldness.
7. Sukra Niskramana – Ejaculation.
Eight factors mentioned by Charaka acharya, which contribute to the process of ejaculation, are:
Harsha (Libido), Tarsha (patio or desire for ladies), Saratva (mobility of sukra), Dravatva (fluidity of sukra), Paicchillya (Slimness or viscidity of sukra), Gaurava (heaviness or gravity of sukra), Anu pravana bhava (Tendency to flow down due to property of atomicity), Mruta drutatva – propulsion by apanavayu.
Infertility
Definition:
A condition in which couple have problems in conceiving, or getting pregnant, after one year of regular sexual intercourse without using any birth control methods. Infertility can be caused by a problem with the man or the woman, or both.
Male infertility
Causes of male infertility
It can be studied under following heads.
Bija upa tapa ( Congenital abnormalities ), Sukra dosha ( Diseases of sperm), Klaibya ( Loss of libido).
a. Bija upa tapa – Defects in the gamete, leading to development and structural anomalies of reproductive system. Chromosomal disorders, various developmental disorders can be considered in this group.
b. Sukra dosha (Seminal morbidity)
Causes of seminal morbidity
Food factors
Habitual and excessive uses of dry, bitter, astringent, salty, acidic and hot food. Foods which are at variance with place, time, power of digestion, quantity, habit, doshas and mode of preparation
Behavioural factors
Excessive sexual indulgence, untimely sexual congress, sexual abuse, absolute sexual abstinence, bodily exertion in excess, suppression of natural urges and sexual congress with an unresponsive woman.
Psychological factors
Grief, anxiety, fear, anger and lack of mutual love and confidence.
Pathological factors
Emaciation due to diseases, vitiation of body elements, injury with surgical instruments,
improper application of cautery and caustics and other casues like trauma, weak poisons, age.
c. Klaibya – Impotence and other anomalies which impede effective insemination
Causes:
Psychic, dietary, exhaustion of sukra, old age, mental worries, debilitating diseases (like T.B, Diabetes mellitus), over strain, malnutrition, excessive indulgence in sex are considered as contributory factors of quantitative and qualitative diminution of sukra.
Management of Male Infertility
Purvakarma (Preliminary treatment)
Snehana (Oleation)
Swedana (Sudation)
Pradhanakarma (Main treatment)
Virechana (purgation) (Castor oil with milk)
Sneha vasti (oil enema)
Vasti (Decoction enema)
Yapana vasti (rejuvenating enema which can be used for a long time without any adverse effect.)
Uttara vasti (enema given through the urethral orifice)
Pascatkarma (Management after main treatment)
Vajikarnam (specific infertility management with Vajikarna drugs)
Medicines commonly used in Vajikarana
Sukumara ghritam, Amritaprasam, Asvagandhadi ghritam, Mamsa sarpis, Kusmanda ghritam, Vastyamayantakam ghritm, Kalyanaka ghrtam, Asvagandhadi lehyam, Satavari lehyam, Madana kameswari, Chyavanaprasam, Silajit rasayanam, Dasamularistam, Draksaristam, Asvagandharistam, Chandra prabha Vati, Kalyana gulam, Abhraka bhasma, Swarna bhasma.
Sukra sodhana gana (drugs which help in purification of semen or sperm)
Kustha, elavaluka, katphala, samudra phena, kadamba niryasa, iksu, kanda iksu, iksuraka, vasuka, usira
Sukra janana gana (drugs which help in formation of semen or sperm)
Jivaka, rsabhaka, kakoli, ksirakakoli, mudgaparni, masaparni, meda, vrksaruha, jatila, kulinga
Female Infertility
The descriptions about female reproductive disorders have been dealt in the chapters of Stri roga in Ashtanga hridaya, Charak samhita, Susrutha samhita, Sarnghadhara samhita and Ashtang samgraha.
Acarya Susruta describes the psychological changes that occur during the act of sexual intercourse. During contact, teja (fire) is produced. This teja stimulates vatodirana (movement of air element). Teja along with vata causes secretion of sukra. Sukra( sperm) travels to yoni and unites with artava (ovum). The resulting product of union of Agni and Soma (zygote) then travels to garbhasaya and grows as garbha.
Factors of conception
Ritu, kshetra, ambu, bija are the chief factors of conception
Ritu – phase of kapha denoting proliferative phase in the uterus followed by ovulation.
Kshetra – denotes healthy female genital tract which will facilitate the entry of sperm.
Ambu – nutritional elements and hormones.
Bija – Ovum and sperm.
Disorders of conception factors
Disorders of Ritukala
Rtukala is a period of kapha pitta predominance. If it is affected by vata or pitta, sub fertility may result.
Disorders of kshetra (female genital tract)
Margavarodha (Obstruction in fallopian tubes), Vyapanna yoni / garbhasaya (Uterine, cervical or vaginal pathology causing hostility to spermatozoa).
Disorders of Ambu (nutritional fluids)
Garbhasravi or amniotic fluid problems, nutritional insufficiency
Disorders of Bija (Ovum or sperm)
Artava dosa or sukra dosa can cause sub fertility
Disorders of maithuna (Intercourse)
Maithuna asahatva (Dyspareunia – painful intercourse), Maithuna aniccha (Psychological disturbances causing frigidity), Asamyak maithuna (Improper intercourse).
Management of Female infertility
1. Sodhana (Purification therapy).
2. Samana (Pacification therapy).
3. Utility of specific medicines.
4. Medicated ghees and oils.
Narayana tailam, satapuspa tailam, phala sarpis, kalyanaka ghrta, dadimadi ghrta, kalyana gulam are commonly used. Ushna, kaphavatahara treatment is given for cystic ovarian disease (PCOS).
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