Infertility (Failure To Conceive)

Infertility refers to one's diminished ability to conceive and have offspring, or the complete inability to do so. Irreversible infertility is referred to as sterility.

Infertility in Ayurvedic Literature

According to Ayurveda, reproductive health depends on the shukra dhatu, or reproductive tissues. Conception thus happens where there is the sperm; ovum and uterus are all healthy.

The main causes for infertility are:

1. Eating spicy, salty and hot foods, which increase pitta and destroys shukra (semen);
2. Overindulgence in sexual activities;
3. Controlling sexual urges for long durations (practicing extended abstinence);

Problems arise when the reproductive tissues are not properly nourished. This can happen where one consumes incompatible food, or the reproductive tissue is damaged by infection or trauma, by giving birth, system imbalances and malnutrition, stress, and when there is a disruption of natural biological rhythms.

How Ayurvedic Principles Will Help You

Ayurveda looks at issues affecting fertility for both male and female.

Male fertility includes problems such as those affecting the sperm (i.e. volume, motility and shape), erectile dysfunction, and obstructions such as varicocele and prostatis. A variety of tonic herbs are known to help against this and can be taken.

A woman's fertility is much more complex, thus Ayurveda divides a woman’s menstruation cycle into three phases corresponding with the respective doshas:

1. Kappha: between the end of menstrual bleeding and the beginning of ovulation, marked by an increase in estrogen.
2. Pitta: between ovulation until the menstrual period begins, marked by high progesterone hormone levels.
3. Vata: the period of menstrual bleeding where the menstruum is pushed downward to excrete the contents of the womb.

Ayurvedic treatments will include consumption of aloe vera, daily self-massage (the techniques will be taught to the patient), and licorice, saffron, ginger, and rose water. There are also Ayurveda yoga techniques that may benefit a couple's fertility, such as pelvic floor exercises (also known as Kegels) which strengthen the pelvic region, increase the strength of genitals and orgasms, and improve blood circulation.

Certain foods and herbs, called vrishya, specifically enhance the shukra dhatu in both men and women. These include asparagus, broccoli, rice pudding, cumin (cleanses the uterus in women and the genitourinary tract in men), and turmeric (enhances the binding of estrogen and progesterone). Some grains, such as quinoa, enhance estrogenic activity and support the hormonal activity of both men and women, and it should be cooked with a little ghee, salt, and spices such as cumin. Fruits such as papaya and pineapple make ovulation easier. For men, asparagus has testosterone-enhancing quality, and almonds and dates promote better development of the shukra tissue.

On the other hand, some foods are not conducive to conception: coriander (it is not nourishing to shukra dhatu), large amounts of basil, eggplant, tomato, and bell pepper. Also, avoid foods that are too hot or spicy, or too heavy and cold (such as ice-cream).

Alternatively, we also do massages such as Sarvanga Dhara, and the Tantric massage, which stimulates specific marma points on the body, increases one's sexual desires, and improves reproductive bodily functions.