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Infertility Treatment With Ayurveda

Infertility in Ayurveda has been described as Vandhyatwa – failure to achieve conception by a couple of mature age, having normal coitus, during an appropriate period of ritu-chakra (menstrual cycle), regularly for over a year.

The causes of the above have been stated by Charakacarya as due to defects of the bijamsha (spermatozoa and ova). Elaborating further, he mentions regarding clarity and normalcy of ‘manas and hridaya’ (the mental state), properly functioning vayu (nervous system), acceptance of shukra (semen) by the yoni (vagina), in other words, deposition of semen high in the vagina, proper aahara (food and digestion), vihaara (good conduct and lifestyle of the couple), vichaara (thought process, mental stability) and bala (strength and health) are factors essential for procreating.

What is male infertility?

Is it easy to conceive?

No. Conception is a complicated process that depends on many factors:

  • The production of healthy sperm by the male and healthy eggs by the female.
  • Unblocked fallopian tubes that allow the sperm to reach the egg.
  • The sperm’s ability to fertilize the egg when they meet.
  • The ability of the fertilized egg (embryo) to become implanted in the female’s uterus.
  • Good embryo quality.

Finally, for the pregnancy to continue to full term, the embryo must be healthy and the female’s hormonal environment adequate for its development. When just one of these factors is impaired, infertility can happen.

Which males are more likely to have infertility?

There are several factors that can increase a man’s risk of infertility. Some of the most common factors that can affect male fertility include:

  1. Age: As men age, their sperm quality and quantity can decline, which can make it more difficult to conceive.
  2. Medical conditions: Certain medical conditions, such as diabetes, thyroid disorders, and hormonal imbalances, can affect sperm production and reduce fertility.
  3. Infections: Infections of the reproductive tract, such as sexually transmitted infections (STIs), can damage the reproductive organs and affect fertility.
  4. Lifestyle factors: Lifestyle factors such as smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, drug use, and obesity can all affect male fertility.
  5. Genetics: Certain genetic factors can affect sperm production and lead to infertility.
  6. Environmental factors: Exposure to certain toxins or chemicals in the environment, such as pesticides or lead, can affect male fertility.

It’s important to note that many cases of male infertility are due to a combination of factors, and infertility can affect men of all ages and backgrounds. If a man is concerned about his fertility, he may wish to consult a healthcare provider for evaluation and potential treatment options.

Symptoms and Causes

What causes male infertility?

  1. Low sperm count: A low sperm count, also known as oligospermia, can make it more difficult for a man to father a child. This can be caused by hormonal imbalances, genetic factors, infections, or other medical conditions.
  2. Poor sperm motility: Sperm that don’t swim well or move in the wrong direction can make it difficult for sperm to reach and fertilize an egg.
  3. Abnormal sperm morphology: Sperm with an abnormal shape or size can make it difficult for them to penetrate and fertilize an egg.
  4. Blockages in the reproductive tract: Blockages in the tubes that carry sperm from the testicles to the urethra can prevent sperm from being ejaculated and make it difficult for a man to father a child.
  5. Hormonal imbalances: Imbalances in hormones such as testosterone, luteinizing hormone (LH), or follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) can affect sperm production and fertility.
  6. Genetic factors: Certain genetic conditions, such as Klinefelter syndrome or Y chromosome deletions, can affect sperm production and fertility.
  7. Infections: Infections of the reproductive tract, such as chlamydia or gonorrhea, can damage the reproductive organs and affect fertility.
  8. Environmental factors: Exposure to toxins or chemicals, such as pesticides or lead, can affect sperm production and fertility.
  9. Lifestyle factors: Lifestyle factors such as smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, drug use, and obesity can all affect male fertility.

It’s important to note that many cases of male infertility are due to a combination of factors, and infertility can affect men of all ages and backgrounds. If a man is concerned about his fertility, he may wish to consult a healthcare provider for evaluation and potential treatment options.

What are the symptoms of male infertility?

The infertility itself is the symptom. However, it’s much more difficult to describe the negative psychological and emotional symptoms infertility has on a couple who wants to have children. Many times, conceiving a child becomes the total focus of their lives. Feelings of depression, loss, grief, inadequacy and failure are common in males as well as females seeking pregnancy.

Individuals or couples experiencing any of these feelings may want to seek professional help from healthcare providers like a therapist or psychiatrist experienced in dealing with infertility issues. Such providers can help you deal realistically with the situation and provide support even while you are going through treatment.

Diagnosis

How is male infertility evaluated and diagnosed?

Male infertility is typically diagnosed through a combination of medical history, physical examination, and laboratory tests. The evaluation process may include the following:

  1. Medical history: The healthcare provider will ask about the man’s medical history, including any conditions or medications that could affect fertility.
  2. Physical examination: A physical examination can help identify any anatomical abnormalities or other physical issues that could affect fertility.
  3. Semen analysis: A semen analysis is a laboratory test that evaluates the quantity and quality of a man’s sperm. This test can help identify issues such as low sperm count, poor sperm motility, or abnormal sperm morphology.
  4. Hormone testing: Blood tests can be used to evaluate levels of hormones such as testosterone, luteinizing hormone (LH), and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). Abnormal hormone levels can be an indication of hormonal imbalances that could affect fertility.
  5. Genetic testing: In some cases, genetic testing may be recommended to evaluate for genetic factors that could affect fertility.
  6. Imaging tests: Imaging tests such as ultrasound or MRI may be used to evaluate for blockages or other anatomical abnormalities in the reproductive tract.

If a healthcare provider suspects male infertility, they may refer the man to a reproductive endocrinologist or urologist for further evaluation and treatment. Treatment options for male infertility may include medication, surgery, lifestyle changes, or assisted reproductive technologies such as in vitro fertilization (IVF) or intrauterine insemination (IUI).

How is male infertility treated?

  1. Medications: Medications may be used to treat hormonal imbalances, infections, or other medical conditions that affect fertility.
  2. Surgery: Surgery may be necessary to correct anatomical abnormalities, such as blockages or varicoceles (enlarged veins in the scrotum).
  3. Lifestyle changes: Lifestyle changes such as quitting smoking, reducing alcohol consumption, and improving diet and exercise habits may improve fertility.
  4. Assisted reproductive technologies (ART): ART can help couples conceive when natural conception is not possible. Examples of ART include intrauterine insemination (IUI), in vitro fertilization (IVF), and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI).
  5. Donor sperm: In cases where there is no viable sperm or sperm production is severely impaired, using donor sperm may be an option.

Frequently Asked Questions About Male Infertility

Male infertility is a condition where a man is unable to impregnate a woman due to problems with his sperm or reproductive system.

There are several causes of male infertility, including low sperm count, poor sperm motility, abnormal sperm morphology, hormonal imbalances, genetic disorders, varicocele (enlarged veins in the scrotum), infections, and certain medications.

Male infertility is diagnosed through a series of tests, including a physical exam, semen analysis, blood tests to check hormone levels, and imaging tests to look for abnormalities in the reproductive system.

Yes, male infertility can be treated in many cases. Treatment options include medications to improve sperm count and motility, surgery to correct structural problems in the reproductive system, and assisted reproductive techniques such as in vitro fertilization (IVF) or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI).

Several lifestyle factors can affect male fertility, including smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, drug use, obesity, and exposure to environmental toxins such as pesticides and industrial chemicals.

While some causes of male infertility, such as genetic disorders, cannot be prevented, men can take steps to protect their fertility. These include avoiding smoking and drug use, limiting alcohol consumption, maintaining a healthy weight, and avoiding exposure to environmental toxins.

If a couple has been trying to conceive for a year or more without success, they should consider seeking fertility treatment. However, if the male partner has known fertility issues, they may want to seek treatment sooner.