Dr. Hema

The term infertility in females explains a wide range of disorders but in order to simplify things, lets’ just say, infertility in women is a condition in which women are unable to conceive. There are numerous reasons that can be responsible for this situation and although some are preventable or curable, most others have no specific cure or treatment.

Ovulatory Disorders

One of the most common reasons for infertility is an ovulatory disorder. Almost 30 percent of female infertility is caused due to this reason. 70 percent of such infertility is treatable with drugs such as Reprones/Menogan and Clomiphene. Here is a list of causes of failed ovulation-

1. Disruption in the complex hormonal balance.

2. Ovaries fail to produce mature eggs. Polycystic ovarian syndrome is the most common disorder causing this problem. This syndrome has reduced FSH production and increased production of LH, Oestrogen and Testosterone. Suppressed FSH production may cause the partial development of ovarian follicles.

3. Hypothalamus may malfunction thereby causing the pituitary to malfunction, thus losing control over the process or FSH and LH production.

4. Physical damage to the ovaries by multiple surgeries or due to the formation of cysts.

5. A rare case of premature menopause.

6. Problems of the follicle.

7. Poor functioning of fallopian tubes

Diseases or disorders in the tube have been another major reason of infertility in women. Almost 25 percent of women infertility occurs due to this reason. Although treatments exist, success rates of the treatments are as high as 30 percent. The causes of tube damage may be as follows-

1. Infection caused by bacteria or viruses

2. Abdominal diseases like colitis and appendicitis

3. Previous pelvic or abdominal surgeries.

4. A condition called ectopic pregnancy which occurs in the tube, and even if very carefully but successfully overcome, may leave permanent damage.

5. Rare congenital defects in which women may be born with tube anomalies.

Endometriosis

This is the condition where the endometrium expands excessively thereby preventing individuals from getting pregnant. This affects almost 10 percent of the population of infertile women. Almost 40 percent of women with endometriosis are infertile.

Other Factors

Other additional factors may include:

1. Abnormal uterus

2. Congenital diseases

3. Behavioural factors like personal habits, lifestyle and health factors.

4. Exercise and diet- extremely overweight or underweight women may have problems in conceiving.

5. Cigarette smoking reduces the chances of conceiving by one-third.

6. Alcohol increases the chances of birth defects.

Hence, pregnancy is tougher than it might really seem. If you wish to discuss about any specific problem, you can consult a gynaecologist.

Homeopathy believes that infertility is just a manifestation of a deep, underlying body symptom. So while conventional medicines try to treat infertility by just looking at the reproductive system, homoeopathy looks at the body as a whole.  The doctor will try to understand the couple’s underlying problems and then come up with a cure.  Male and female infertility is addressed separately and the most common remedies are listed below. 
It is extremely important to note that self-medication is not advised, and each couple and individual would need proper assessment and treatment.

Male:

1. Agnus Castus:
   • This is used in males where infertility is associated with erectile dysfunction
   • It helps improve sexual desire and physical ability to perform
   • The patient would have cold, relaxed, flaccid genitals
2. Caladium:
   • Impotency in these men is also associated with mental depression
   • Though desire is present, the erections are generally weak and not 
3. Selenium:
   • These men also may have erectile dysfunction with weak and delayed erections.
   • Emissions may be rapid and involuntary. 
4. X-Ray:
   • Reduced sperm count
   • Improves both quantity and quality of sperms 
5. Conium:
   • Useful in males with orchitis
   • The testicles are hard, swollen, and enlarged
   • History of suppressed desire
6. Sabal Serrulata
   • Associated with wasting of testes
   • Also useful where there is prostate enlargement or prostatitis

Female infertility

1. Borax
   • Useful in women who have acidic vaginal discharge.  This kills the sperms and could cause infertility.
   • Borax is useful when the discharge is similar to egg white, copious, and warm. Altering the pH can improve successful conception
2. Natrum Phos:
   • Discharge is honey coloured, sour smelling, and irritating
   • This discharge is also acidic, reducing sperm life
3. Pulsatilla:
   • Useful in women who have scanty periods that do not last long and never appear on the due date
   • These women have a history of irregular menses since the onset of menarche
   • Also useful in women who have polycystic ovarian disease
4. Aletris farinose
   • Early and copious menstruation in addition to white discharge
   • Anaemia, weakness, fatigue, and tiredness
   • Useful in women who have had recurrent abortions.
5. Sepia
   • These women present with menstrual cycles that are short, suppressed, and not regular in the flow.
   •  There is also a bearing down sensation where the patient feels the uterus is going to slide down
   • It is also possible these women have reduced drive
6. Natrum carb
   • These women have difficulty retaining sperms
   • The vaginal discharge could also be offensive and irritating 
7. Calcarea Carb:
   • This is another remedy used when there is profuse bleeding during the menstrual cycles 
   • The periods also tend to appear before their due date and tend to last longer than usual. If you wish to discuss about any specific problem, you can consult a Homeopath.