What is infertility?
The inability of male or female or both to reproduce, after unprotected sexual intercourse.
CURE IN MODERN MEDICINE:
What is Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART)?
It includes the medical procedures that are used to address infertility. It involves procedures such as in vitro fertilization (IVF), intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), cryopreservation of gametes or embryos, and the use of fertility medications. Assisted
reproductive Technology can also be regarded as fertility treatment and belongs to the field of reproductive endocrinology and infertility. ART includes treatments that handle both women’s egg and men’s sperm, removes both, and mixes together to make
embryos.
Benefits of Assisted Reproductive Technology:
1. ART works where other infertility treatments fail.
2. It can be used by anyone, as it isn’t restricted to the mother of the baby. It can be
used by surrogate or gestational carriers.
3. It can be used for the donation of eggs and sperm, which are stored and used for
need.
4. It increases the chances of having a healthy baby, as genetic screening can be used
to ensure that fetuses are free from known genetic markers.
5. It decreases the chances of miscarriages, as the genetic viability of an embryo is already
known.
Common complications associated with Assisted Reproductive Technology:
For women:
Complications related to ovarian stimulation include hemorrhage, rapture, ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS), and the most serious one torsion. Moreover, pregnancy after ART is different from a normal pregnancy. Gestational diabetes mellitus, polyhydramnios, oligohydramnios, low birth weight, preterm birth; all these complications increase. The risk of abnormalities of placentation rises after fresh embryo transfer, placenta praevia, Vasa Previa, and placental abruption. Additionally, postpartum hemorrhage and thromboembolic disease, which are associated with pregnancy are also increased. In the long term, the risk of breast cancer and ovarian cancer increases, especially during the first 12 months after the IVF cycle.
For men:
Oligospermia is the condition observed in men, which is responsible for mortality. Further, men having abnormal sperm counts are at risk of testicular cancer.
For child:
The children which are conceived by ART are at risk of congenital anomalies and long-term adult diseases like diabetes and high blood pressure. Also, the risk of birth defects like infantile haemangioma, blastogenesis, cardiovascular, musculoskeletal, and genitourinary; are increased. Further, the offspring is more likely to have chromosomal abnormalities and one of the common abnormalities is Klinefelter’s syndrome.
Risks associated with Assisted Reproductive Technology:
1. Hyperstimulation
2. Ovarian torsion
3. Infection, bleeding, and even death
4. Failure to conceive
5. Multiple gestations
6. Prematurity and “small for gestational age” infants
7. Birth defects
8. Health risks later in the life of children born after ART
9. Disorders of epigenetic imprinting
10. Risks from handling gametes and embryos
11. Risks of culture
12. Risks associated with cryopreservation
13. Gamete and embryo “mix-ups”
AYURVEDA FOR INFERTILITY:
Where there are a lot of treatments for infertility including those discussed above, Ayurvedic infertility treatment is one of the alternative methods which involves a holistic approach toward the cure including lifestyle changes. The concept of infertility in
Ayurveda arises when Shukra Dhatu does not get enough nutrition. This can be caused due to poor digestion, an imbalanced diet, and toxins in the body, which hinder reproductive channels. Other reasons are:
• Overindulgence in sex causes a decrease in Shukra Dhatu and leads to Klehya (impotency).
• Improper quality and quantity of Atharva Dhatu (female reproductive tissues), which leads to infertility in women.
• A person having mental disturbances like anxiety, depression, and insomnia- may face difficulty in conceiving.
• Increase in Pitta levels due to consumption of improper food or extra spicy food, weakens the formation of Shukra Dhatu.
• If the sexual urges are controlled for a longer duration, it may lead to Veerya- avarodha (obstruction of semen) which causes a decrease in libido.
The problem of infertility can be treated naturally according to Ayurveda, by changes in lifestyle and herbal therapy. The solutions can be noted down as follows:
For women:
∆ Enhancing the quality of Atharva Dhatu to improve the reproductive capacity and health of women. The Herbs and food types that enhance the quantity and quality of Atharva Dhatu are asparagus, broccoli, dates, and grains like quinoa which help in enhancing estrogen levels and balance hormonal activity in women’s bodies.
∆ Atharva Dhatu requires a cool environment to support fertility, hence, avoiding spicy food must help. Intake of hot foods lowers the ovum quality in women.
∆ The treatment Lodhra is beneficial in infertility of women as it stimulates the increase in reproductive hormones like follicle-stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone.
- For men:
∆ The quality of Shukra Dhatu is to be enhanced in males to improve reproductive capacity and health. Some herbs used are asparagus, broccoli, dates, and almonds- which increase the secretion of Testosterone.
∆ Temperature plays a major role in the production of sperm, and maintaining it at a lower temperature is necessary. But when a person wears tight underwear and uncomfortable fabric, it leads to the production of heat which cannot be released. This damages the sperm count and needs to be taken care of.
Further the Ayurvedic therapies of Rasayana, Shirodhara, and Panchakarma – help in the detoxification of the body, which enhances the quality of tissues in the body and benefits the reproductive system of both- men and women.
Conclusion:
Taking both modern medicine and Ayurveda into account, the most natural way is Ayurveda. It helps in curing infertility from its roots. Changes made in lifestyle and dietary choices help in healing and maintaining good health. Moreover, the therapies involved in healing infertility have almost no side effects, whereas the modern medicine approach has its own downsides. If opting for a natural and holistic way to cure infertility, Ayurveda is the only option.
