Ayurveda for Infertility
For many couples who are planning a baby, not being able to conceive is a matter of concern. While most people tend to seek help through conventional medicine, going the Ayurvedic way can also increase chances of conception and treat infertility with least side effects. Here Dr Renijith C Menon from Nagarjuna Ayurveda, sheds some light on how Ayurveda works to help couples conceive. Also, know about the eight best sex positions to get pregnant.
How Ayurveda works for infertility?
The Ayurvedic approach is scientific but different from conventional medicine. Infertility treatment in Ayurveda compares human conception to that of a plant. So the basis of infertility treatment in Ayurveda has four aspects similar to nurturing a seed into a plant. Here is how an Ayurvedic infertility treatment is planned:
| Condition (Sanskrit) | In Plants | In Human beings |
| Ritu | Season | Proper ovulation & menstrual cycle |
| Kshetram | Fertile land | Healthy uterus |
| Ambu | Proper water & nourishment | Sufficient nutrition |
| Beejam | Quality of Seed | Quality of Sperm & Ovum |
The basis of Ayurvedic treatment is to ensure that the woman ovulates properly and produces healthy ova and the man’s sperm count and sperm production is adequate. Also, ensuring that the reproductive organs of both men and women are healthy is a major aspect of Ayurvedic treatment. Know which are your most fertile days to get pregnant.
According to Ayurveda the health of the person depends on
- Sapta dhatus or the seven layers of body tissues
- a normal digestive system
- a perfectly functioning excretory system and
- the balance of all senses to create internal calm and reunite the body-mind-soul
When this harmony is disturbed due to improper diet and lifestyle changes, any kind of disease or ailments can manifest. While the conventional medicine might treat both the partners separately, taking into account the problem of each individual, Ayurveda offers treatment to the couple seeking conception to get rid of the toxins and restore the tranquillity and equilibrium to initiate conception. Here is an Ayurvedic diet plan to help you keep fit and healthy.
The science behind conception
According to Ayurveda, conception depends upon the health of the sperm, ovum, and that of the uterus. For both men and women, reproductive health depends on the 0health of the Shukra Dhathu, or reproductive tissue which is created in the body. Proper metabolic functions and effective digestion helps in conversion of nutrients from food to body fluid, blood, muscle, fat, bone, bone marrow and finally into shukra tissue. In women, the shukra tissue produces the ovum as part of the monthly cycle, and in men the semen is formed due to sexual stimulation. The health of shukra dhathu depends on the health of all the other tissues and smooth metabolic functions of the body. Here are three ways to boost metabolism effectively.
What prevents a smooth conception
There are various physiological, psychological and environmental factors that can affect fertility in both men and woman; here are few reasons according to Ayurvedic principles that can affect fertility.
Health of the reproductive organs: In case of women, uterus and for men, sperms are responsible for a smooth conception. However, lack of proper nutrition, poor digestion and accumulation of toxins in the body can restrict nutrition to reach the uterus or make the sperm unhealthy. Here are eight ways to boost sperm health.
Lack of emotional connect: Having sex by compulsion with a person whom you do not like or are not attached to can make it difficult to conceive. On the other hand, overindulgence in sexual activities can lead to shukra kshaya and lead to impotency. Here is a step-by-step guide to get her in mood for sex.
Irregular diet: Eating spicy, salty or foods rich in preservatives increases Pitta and destroys shukra or semen. Here are eight foods that can increase your chances of conception.
Limiting sexual urges: Controlling sexual urges for longer duration leads to veeryaavarodha which means obstruction to normal flow of semen and decreased libido. Here are seven sure-fire things to get your libido racing.
Infection or trauma: Infertility can also arise when the reproductive tissue is damaged by infection or trauma.
Note: Some people might acquire impotency by birth.
The treatment
The basis of Ayurvedic treatment is to detoxify the body and help every cell get proper nourishment for optimal function, which improves chances of conception. The panchakarma therapy is the first line of treatment in Ayurveda to help couples conceive.
Through this mode of treatment the body gets rid of the toxins by eliminating them. Once the detoxification happens, the digestion system is corrected in a micro level which also means that each cell of the body starts to absorb proper nourishment.
Once nourishments like vitamins, minerals is reached into the detoxified cells along with hormones and enzymes and sufficient quantity of oxygen, then each cell starts to function normally, improving the self-healing capacity of the body, boosting immunity and improving chances of conception.
To complete the whole procedure a minimum of 21 days are needed. The entire panchakarma treatment involves three steps.
1. Pre-process: This process encompasses various massage and internal medicines. This helps cellular toxins to melt from its position and flush out through excessive sweating or collect in the intestine.
2. Proper process: This is the eliminative phase of treatment. Here the collected toxins are eliminated out by various treatment procedures like
- Sneha Vasthy or specialised oil massages
- Kashaya Vasthy or drinking of various Ayurvedic decoction
- Virechanam or elimination of toxins through purgation
- Nasyam which means purification through your nose
- Vamanam or elimination through excretion
3. Post process: The last phase of the treatment is the rejuvenating phase that enhances positive energy flow in your body and establishes connect between mind-body-soul, an important aspect of emotional well-being that helps in conception.
However, panchakarma is not the only form of treatment that helps to treat infertility. Depending on the issues or health problems of the couple, the other modalities of the treatment is planned along with panchakarma.
The other forms of treatment that are done to ensure that conception takes place smoothly are as follows:
Abhyanga: It is a therapeutic oil massage done to restore the balance of doshas, the oil used are pre-medicated with specific herbs needed for the treatment.
Snehapanam: This treatment involves drinking of medicated ghee to treat gastrointestinal problems and help the digestive system work in tandem for overall well-being.
Podikkizhi: This treatment is done with powdered herbs and is effective for relieving deep seated tension, increasing circulation, cleaning toxins, strengthening muscle tissue and ridding the body of excess Kapha. This method helps the body to sweat out toxins and alleviate the doshas.
