1) Ayurveda views infertility as a imbalance that prevents healthy children, not just pregnancy. It identifies six types of infertility and emphasizes treating the underlying mind-body imbalances.
2) Treatment focuses on correcting causal factors like lifestyle, digestion, stress and nourishing reproductive tissues using herbs, panchakarma and addressing the four factors of conception - time, place, nutrients and reproductive cells.
3) Panchakarma therapies like vasti are often used to cleanse toxins and balance the reproductive system for restoring fertility, while herbal medicines and lifestyle changes provide ongoing support. The goal is establishing overall health to achieve a healthy baby.
2. WHAT IS INFERTILITY?
Failure to achieve pregnancy after one year or more of regular
unprotected sexual intercourse.
Ayurveda says: State of no children
3. TARGET OF INFERTILITY TREATMENT
SHOULD BE TO ACHIEVE HEALTHY
BABY,
NOT JUST PREGNANCY
4. Kashyap Samhita: Defines six types of
Infertility
• Bandhya - Absolute sterility
• Apraja - Primary infertility
• Sapraja - Secondary infertility
• Garbhini Bandhya - Recurrent pregnancy loss
• Mrit vatsa - Still birth, IUD
• Jathaharini - Group of diseases responsible for
perinatal deaths.
5. 1. Ritu resembles time/period in which fertilization can occur by
considering timing of ovulation in appropriate reproductive age.
2. Kshetra describe seat of conception; uterus , endometrium and
associated structures should be healthy enough to hold foetus after
successful fertilization and conception. Vagina and other reproductive
organs should be healthy and free of infection.
3. Ambu resembles nourishment and blood circulation of uterus, proper
hormones for growth and development of foetus.
4. Beej describes healthy ovum and sperm.
Ayurveda described 4 Factors : Ritu, Kshetra,
Ambu and Beeja as primary factors
associated with female fertility.
6. Causes of Infertility:
There is a precise description of the causes of Infertility in
Ayurvedic Gynecology
1. Yoni pradoshat- Gynecological disorders
2. Manaso abhitapat- Psychological disorders
3. Shukra asrik doshat- Sperm and ova related
4. Aahar vihar doshat- Food and lifestyle related
5. Akala yogat- Time factor
6. Bala samshayaat- Physical illness
7. How the current lifestyle effect Fertility?
• Age
• Weight/ Obesity
• Exercise/ Sedentary job
• Stress
• Addictions
8. WHEN SHOULD A COUPLE TAKE
PROFESSIONAL HELP FOR
INFERTILITY??
• 18-25 YEARS- AFTER 2 YEARS
• 25-35 YEARS- AFTER ONE YEAR
• MORE THAN 35 YEARS- AFTER 6 MONTHS
• Simpler tests and physical well being should be tested initially.
9. In Ayurveda, Health is defined as:
1. Balance of three doshas: VATA, PITTA AND KAPHA
2. Balance of 7 dhatus (tissues)
3. Good state of digestion and metabolism
4. Balance of malas (waste products)- normal excretion
of waste products produced after proper digestion
and metabolism
5. Happy, content and satisfied mind and senses
10. 1. Food is consumed
2. Formation of Rasa dhatu
3. Sequential formation of all 7 dhatus till Shukra
dhatu
4. This whole sequence depends on right function
of Agni ( digestive fire) at various levels.
Formation of Dhatus/ tissues:
11. • As per Ayurveda, Infertility occurs when SHUKRA
DHATU or reproductive tissues get deprived of
nutrition.
• Very poor digestion along with presence of toxins
in the body is one of the major causes of infertility.
12. What is shukra?
• Shukra implies seminal fluid and hormones in the
male.
• Shukra is the reproductive organs, their
secretions (hormones )and vaginal secretions in
the female.
• Therefore, when Shukra dhatu is affected, it
automatically affects the hormones and fertility,
causing Anovulation (absence of ovulation) and
infertility.
13. Shukra Dhatu
Most hormonal disorders result from deficiency of
the Shukra Dhatu in the female.
And Shukra is formed from Rasa dhatu formed
from the food that we eat and digest.
Thus the metabolic cascade of good nourishment,
good digestion, including proper digestion of
thoughts is responsible for Health.
14. Ayurvedic Treatment approach:
• Correction of causative factors
• Using modern investigation procedures, proper diagnosis has to
be made
• Treatment with medicines/ panchkarma where ever needed.
• Treatment to improve quality of sperms, ova, nourishment of
endometrium is given (concept of Ritu, Kshetra, Ambu, Beejam)
• Treatment continued till pregnancy to achieve healthy baby.
15. SHAMAN OR SHODHAN??
SHAMAN ( MEDICINES)
• Interval of menstrual period
less than 3-4 months
• BMI less than 25
• Infertility period less than 4
years
SHODHAN ( PANCHKARMA)
• If these factors are more are
more than described, do
shodhan.
• Shodhan therapies correct all
factors of conception: Ritu,
kshetra, ambu and beejam.
• Virechan and Vasti are most
common shodhan procedures
in gynecology.
16. SHAMAN ( MEDICINAL) TREATMENT
• Selection of correct form of medicine is important.
• Selection of appropriate route of medicine
• Duration of medication
• When to switch to Panchkarma?
• When to refer for IVF/ Surgical intervention?
17. • Ayurveda formulations for infertility are herbal or
herbo- mineral medicines selected by an
ayurvedic doctor according to the condition of
patient.
19. Sodhana (panchkarma therapies)
• Sodhana help in the removal of toxins thus open up srotus
(channels) and therefore maintain normal circulatory
functioning of body.
• It is suggested to perform Snehan and swedan prior to
Sodhana like; Vamana, Virechana ,Vasti and Uttar vasti to
remove toxins from body.
• Sodhana help to balances ovarian, tubular and uterine
functioning which is essential for restoring fertility.
21. Ayurvedic herbs
• Many herbs described in ayurvedic texts are known
fertility enhancers and improve the quality and function
of reproductive organs.
• Some of them are Shatavari, Laxmana, Shatpushpa,
Lashun, Ashoka, Lodhra, Dashmool which should be
used appropriate according to prakriti, vikriti and dosha
state.
22. Dietary suggestions
• Diet that balances doshas,increase Ojas (vitality) is
recommended for the management of infertility, foods that
boosts physical and mental health should be consumed.
• Processed carbohydrates, Preserved food, bakery
items,excessive frozen meat and junk foods can affect fertility
thus such types of diet need to be avoided.
• Food like ghee, milk, nuts, makhana, chest nuts, dates, honey,
saffron, fruits, draksha, beans, peas, whole grains and spices
like; turmeric and cumin recommended for enhancing fertility.
23. Life style modification
• Ayurveda suggests that one should avoid excessive
stress, do exercise, take proper sleep, timely meals,
proper daily routine.
• Avoid consumption of alcohol, smoking & over
indulgence in sex.
• Good moral conduct help in the management of
infertility.
24. Yoga
•Yoga reduces stress, improves circulation,
removes toxins and maintains healthy body
weight thus can help in the management of
infertility.