Introduction

The CDC defines infertility as generally ‘not being able to get pregnant (conceive) after one year (or longer) of unprotected sex’. Ayurveda has a long historic background about the importance of treating infertility detailed in the ancient literature, the Atharvaveda. Today many still seek Ayurvedic treatment for infertility as a means to correct ovarian, tubular and uterine problems that lead to infertility.

Revitalising your mind and body through Ayurveda

Ayurvedic medicine is one of the oldest forms of holistic medicines in the world originating from India over 5000 years ago. It is based on the belief that our health and wellness depends on the balance between the mind, body and spirit, governed by dosha or our internal energies. The focus of Ayurveda is on promoting and ensuring good health rather that fighting disease with treatments raging from overall healthcare to being geared towards specific health problems. Ayurvedic treatments focus on removing impurities from the body and releasing tension and nourishing and revitalising the mind to strengthen the immune system and regain hormonal balance.

Can ayurvedic treatments help with infertility?

Ayurveda is about maintaining your health through self-healing and balance more than placing reliance on outside or foreign substances. This approach works towards enhancing fertilization by healing and nurturing the reproductive system. It focusses on keeping the dosha balanced to help boost fertility.

Though infertility can be for both male and female, in Ayurveda infertility is in reference specifically to the biological infertility of a woman of a reproductive age not being able to contribute towards conception or carry out a full-term pregnancy.

What causes infertility?

There are many factors that can cause female and male infertility. For a woman ovarian factors, age, tubal complications, uterine problems, PCOS and endometriosis are just some of the causes. There are external factors as well that can affect the menstrual cycle such as diet, excessive physical exercise, lifestyle, stress and emotional instability.  All of this contributes towards a vata, pitta and kapha imbalance.

Male infertility is caused by problems that affect the sperm count, production or sperm transport due to ejaculation problems, infections or hormone levels.

How does ayurveda promote fertility?

Ayurveda focuses on improving the general wellbeing and maintaining tridosha balance, especially the vata dosha, to treat infertility and help increase the chances of conceiving. It also prescribes a combination of herbs that help treat an organic of functional problem that causes infertility, such as ovulation disorder, premature ovarian failure and blocked fallopian tubes.

Combinations of herbs are used to regulate menstrual cycles, revitalise sperm count, reduce stress, enhance sleep and increase energy levels.

Types of infertility issues that can be treated by ayurveda

After you are examined by an ayurvedic practitioner they will be able to advice you on the best treatment to help you enhance your chances of conceiving. Your practitioner will determine if there are any medical conditions that are hindering pregnancy and need to be treated first. Treatments help strengthen the body, help regulate the body’s metabolism, stabilise hormonal levels, cleanse the reproductive organs and increase its overall health

Ayurvedic treatments for infertility

Emphasised will be placed on changes to diet and lifestyle as part of the treatment for infertility. This is to reignite the digestive fire and to eliminate substances that decrease ojas. This is important for the regulation of ovulation and to improve fertilization.

Panchakarma treatments are adopted to further rid the body of toxins – a series of 5 treatments used to cleanse the body of undigested food and toxins. It is designed to restore harmony and balance and is considered as highly beneficial as an ayurveda infertility treatment as well.

Conclusion

According to ayurveda everything is connected and should be treated together to achieve wellness. When it comes to treating infertility, ayurveda adopts the same process of opening the body’s channels to allow its good health and optimal working condition to encourage fertility. Ayurveda treatments are a good way to prepare your body for pregnancy.