Dr. Priti Thakre

Male infertility basically refers to the inability of a man to result in pregnancy in female, who is fertile. In human beings, this problem accounts for around 50% of infertility. Almost 7% of all men get affected by infertility. Change in status and current stress, which is on the rise, leads to making a man infertile. When a man has the problem of obesity, this, in turn, tends to affect his fertility as well, with the sperm quality going down along with the sperm count.

Causes of Male Infertility

There are quite many reasons due to which a male can become infertile. They include:

• Varicocele: This is a situation where an enlargement of veins occurs in the testicles. It results in blood to pool, thus creating an increased temperature. This rise in temperature in the scrotum leads to the reduction of sperm count, hence affecting fertility.
• Undescended testicles: males with an undescended testicle remains at the increased risk of an inguinal hernia.Infection: An infection occurring in the testicle or prostate can make a male infertile.
• Chemotherapy for cancer: Chemotherapy for cancers or any kind of radiation can have an adverse impact on a male's ability to produce quality sperm and also affecting the sperm count.

Normal Range of Sperm Count

• The normal volume varies from 1.5 to 5 ml per ejaculation.
• The sperm count tends to vary from 20 to 150 million sperm per milliliter.

Different Issues Related to Male Infertility

There are certain issues relating to male infertility. They include:

• Oligospermia: This is an issue mainly characterized by low sperm count.
• Asthenozoospermia: This is the medical term used for reduction in sperm motility.
• Azoospermia: Azospermia is a medical condition wherein a man.s semen has no sperm.
• Teratospermia: Teratospermia is condition mainly characterized by the presence of sperm having different shapes (Morphological defect)

Risk Factors for Male Infertility

1. Consumption of Alcohol
2. Smoking
3. Stress
4. Tight clothing (Jockeys) affecting the circulation of the blood in the groin area
5. Hormonal imbalance
6. Indulgence in too much exercise
7. High temperatures- hot saunas
8. Caffeine
9. Toxin and pollutants

How to Prevent Male Infertility?

Males can prevent themselves from becoming infertile by following a healthy lifestyle:

1. They must not get addicted to things like smoking, drugs or in consuming alcohol.
2. Exposure to radiation and toxic substances must be avoided.
3. Avoidance of long hot bath or saunas in a must.
4. Cold water seat bath is very useful to increase sperm count and motility.

Various Kinds of Investigations Include:

1. Ultrasound of the scrotal
2. Testing of hormones
3. Analysis of the urine after ejaculation
4. Some genetic tests
5. Biopsy of the testicles
6. Semen analysis

Role of Diet and Yoga in Male Infertility

In fertility yoga, the body is put through number of exercises, mainly designed to help in fertility. The yoga poses help to stimulate the endocrine system in a positive manner, where the system is made up of glands, responsible for the production as well as dissemination of hormones throughout the body. Yoga aids male infertility by:

• Stimulation of blood flow around the pelvic area.
• Helping mind and body to stay relaxed, thus avoiding stress.
• Oxygenation to reproductive organ helps in healthy sperm count and increase motility.

Diet maintenance which helps in fertility among males:

• Walnuts: These are rich in omega 3 fatty acids, which help to enhance sperm motility as well as vitality.
• Tomatoes: Tomatoes is a rich source of lycopene, involving great benefits in improving male's fertility.
• Blueberries: They are anti-inflammatory antioxidants, beneficial for the good health of the sperm.
• Dark Chocolate: It is one of the best food to increase male fertility, as it not only helps to increase sperm count but also the motility.
• Vitamin A: Egg, yellow fruits, veggies, milk and dark green vegetables.
• Vitamin B12 and Folic Acid: Green leafy veggies, broccoli, yeast root, whole grain, asparagus oatmeal, avocados.
• Vitamin C: Used as antioxidants . all citrus fruits.
• Vitamin E: Wheat, gram, egg, sweet potatoes, leafy veggies, nuts seeds, whole grain.

The female infertility is a major problem and multiple factors play a vital role in it. Multiple things like diet, yoga, etc. are essential for the better human reproduction. Moreover, the Ayurvedic therapy has multiple treatments to improve the female fertility as discussed in this article.

Role of diet in improving female infertility

Food plays a vital role in improving fertility. A certain type of food help in improving the egg quality and helps to make the egg normal size and resist it from becoming a cyst. According to researches, certain diet increases the female fertility as well. This diet is referred to as a fertility diet.

Foods like turmeric, green smoothies, beans, broccoli, sunflower seeds, spinach, almonds, walnuts, flax seeds, pomegranates, all types of berries, sesame seeds, cinnamon powder with water, green leafy veggies, fruits, dates, and salads are recommended.

Role of yoga in improving female infertility

Yoga is very important as it has certain benefits like reducing stress, anxiety and depression, oxygenation to reproductive organs and have positive influence on endocrine system, keep ovaries to regulate hormones, increase circulation work on immune system and correct hormone balance. In addition to this, there are certain exercise that helps in improving the fertility as well. Moreover, yoga increased the fertility in 3 ways firstly certain posture in yoga increase the fertility physically. Secondly, it helps to maintain the balance and controls physiological effects. Lastly, it releases the stress which impacts the fertility in a variety of ways.

Following are some of the yoga positions which is recommended to improve female infertility:

1. Cobbler's pose
2. Cobra pose
3. Legs up the wall pose
4. Lotus pose
5. Supported bridge pose
6. Butterfly
7. Child pose

Ayurvedic therapy and medicines in female infertility

Ayurvedic therapy and medicines in female infertilityIn Ayurvedic therapy there are two methods to treat female infertility. First is through purification and second is the optimization of reproductive tissues. As according to Ayurvedic therapy infertility depends mainly on the healthy tissue and nutrition. Panchakarma purification is used in the first step of this treatment. It helps in purifying blood and other things. Many other medicines are used for the treatment of infertility in Ayurvedic therapy. This therapy uses a multi-approach model for the treatment as it is not a single step treatment therapy. The Ayurvedic therapy trend is increasing in India. Still, there are concerns regarding this treatment method and many types of research had been carried in this regard.

Following are some the ayurvedic herbs may be useful for the treatment of infertility in female:

• Shatavari helps in normalizing reproductive hormones like FSH and LH.
• Ashoka also has an estrogen compound and have effects on endometrium and ovarian tissues.
• Lodhra has anti-inflammatory property and plays a role in maintaining hormonal imbalance.
• Alovera helps in normal production of oestradiols and progesterone by ovarian cells.
• Kasis bhasma helps in increasing conception rate and also helps in implantation of a zygote.
• Phala ghruitta also improves conception rates and reduces inflammation of fallopian tubes which helps in clearing blockage if any.

In additions to these medicines, there are many more ayurvedic herbs are also useful in the treatment of female infertility.

Endometriosis is a painful disorder wherein, a tissue that normally belongs to the inside of a woman’s uterus, starts to grow out of the uterus. It common involves a woman’s ovaries, fallopian tubes and the tissue, which lines the pelvis. In case of endometriosis, the displaced endometrial tissue continues to act like normal, becomes thick, breaks down and leads to bleeding with each menstrual cycle. Endometriosis can lead to pain, which might be severe especially during a woman’s period. 

Causes of Endometriosis:

1. Embryonic Cells Getting Transformed: Hormones like estrogen might transform the cells, which are in the early stage of development, into implantation of endometrial cells at the time of puberty. 
2. Surgical Scar Implantation: After undergoing a surgery like a hysterectomy or C-section, the endometrial cells might get attached to the incisions done for conducting the surgery. 
3. Transport of Endometrial Cells: The tissue fluid system or the blood vessels might transport the endometrial cells to different parts of the body. 

Let us take a look at some of the symptoms of endometriosis: 

1. Periods which become painful 
2. Pain suffered during or after the intercourse. 
3. Feeling of pain during bowel movements 
4. Excess bleeding 
5. Infertility 

Possible location of endometriosis: 

1. Ovaries(the most common site) 
2. Fallopian tubes 
3. Back of the uterus 
4. Front of the uterus 
5. Uterine ligaments such as the broad or round ligament of the uterus 
6. Pelvic walls 
7. Intestines 
8. Urinary bladder and ureters 

Investigations Required in Endometriosis 
The investigations required in endometriosis are as follows: 

1. Pelvic Exam – In this exam, a doctor manually tends to feel certain areas in pelvis for any kind of abnormality like cysts or the reproductive organs or scars behind the uterus. 
2. Ultrasound – High-frequency sound waves are used to create certain images inside the body, through capturing them via a device known as transducer and getting it pressed against a woman’s abdomen.
3. MRI – MRI by way of magnetic field and radio waves help to get detailed images of the tissues and organs in the body. 
4. Laparoscopy Endometriosis through the eyes of ayurveda: The signs and symptoms mentioned in endometriosis are described in ayurveda under the heading of vataja yonivyapadh and udavartha.
   • Apana Vata is considered as the main functioning agent to maintain normal menstruation. 
   • This is vitiated due to sedentary life style, lack of exercise, sleep, irregular sleep, stressful professional atmosphere, mental tensions and unhealthy food habits. 
   • The deranged apana vata causes retrograde menstruation leading to endometriosis. Along with this, the other two doshas-pitta and kapha are vitiated leading to hormonal imbalance and abnormal growth of endometrium respectively. Hence, the first and foremost step is to restore the physiology of these doshas. 

What are shodhanas? 
Shodhanas are detoxifying procedures like snehana, svedana, vamana, virechana and basti. Benefits of shodhana in female reproductive system: 

• Biological systems return to normalcy. 
• Revitalizes body tissues 
• Potentiates pharmacological actions of internal medicines
• Removes toxins 
• Improves physiological functions and gut absorption. 

Also, improper metabolism is corrected 

• Mental faculties, strength and vitality are enhanced 
• Fine tunes the endocrine system (hormonal balance correcting hypothalamus-pituitary-ovarian axis). 
• Promotive-promotes fertility, preventive-prevents recurrence and curative- cures from the root and rehabilitative too. 

Ayurvedic Treatment for Endometriosis 
Endometriosis’s treatment in Ayurveda requires an anti-Pitta diet and regimen, where there would be complete avoidance of all spices, except coriander, turmeric and saffron. One must also refrain from having 

1. Salt 
2. Alcohol 
3. Refined sugar 

Good herbs might get included in the form of: 

1. Shatavari 
2. Kumari Saar 
3. Kanchanar 
4. Ashoka 
5. Lodhra 
6. Pradranta Churna 

As per Ayurveda, Endometriosis happens as a result of more Kapha due to increased growth of the uterine membrane. Anti-kapha, anti-tumor and general detoxification can be helpful along with some typical herbs like Guggul, Myrrh, Turmeric and Dandelion. 

How can Diet and Yoga help to improve Endometriosis? 
Modifications in diet by switching to the intake of healthy foods and Yoga can help to a great extent in improving Endometeriosis. Some of the diet tips include: 

1. Avoiding foods like cakes, donuts and fries that contain trans fats. 
2. Cut down on consumption of red meat. 
3. Have lots of fruit, vegetables and whole grains 
4. Put a check on consumption of caffeine and alcohol 
5. Reduce the intake of processed foods. 

Impact of Yoga 
Yoga’s positive impact in treating endometriosis includes: 

1. Yoga, with its structured approach towards the body help reduce the symptoms of emdometriosis, while improving the general functioning of the body & oxygenation to the organs. 
2. Women, who have tried out Yoga in order to decrease pain, also observed that there has been an improvement in their condition through healing. 
3. Control in the breathing exercises decrease anxiety and a general sense of well-being is promoted. 
4. Yoga helps to ease out menstrual pain, improves fertility and helps in bringing about hormonal balance.

Female infertility basically refers to infertility among female humans. The problem tends to affect around 48 million women around the world, though it is mainly prevalent among those living in South Asia, North Africa, Middle East, Central and Eastern Europe and Central Asia. There are plenty of issues which tend to give rise to this problem among females world over, which we will discuss as we progress. 

What Are The Medical Causes of Female Infertility? 
There are a number of medical causes behind women coming across difficulties related to fertility. Some of the most common causes include: 

1. Problems with ovulation 
2. Fallopian tubes or the uterus getting damaged 
3. Problems related to cervix 
4. Submucosal fibroid 
5. Endometrosis 
6. PCOD 
7. Chemotherapy 
8. Radiotherapy 

Problems related to ovulation can happen because of the following reasons, which include: 

• Hormonal imbalance 
• A tumor or cyst 
• Eating disorders like anorexia 

Fallopian tubes or uterus can be damaged due to the following reasons: 

1. Disease of inflammatory pelvic 
2. Endometriosis 

Various Risk Factors Responsible for Female Infertility 
There are number of risk factors primarily responsible for female infertility. The factors include: 

1. Age: Women, who are in their late 30s generally, tend to be less fertile compared to those who are in their early 20s. 
2. Career Aspirations: Nowadays women have become so focused about building their careers that they often tend to sway away in their quest for attaining a position in life, hence leading to the delay in conceiving. 
3. Lifestyle and Environment: These include smoking cigarettes, drinking alcohol and being exposed to hazards or toxins in the workplace. 

Various Investigations to Determine Female Infertility 
There are some investigations which help to determine female infertility, including: 

1. Ovulation Testing: A rise in luteinizing hormone that occurs before ovulation, along with the blood test for progesterone, thyroid and prolactin indicates that a woman is ovulating. 
2. Hysterosalpingography: During this test, X-ray contrast gets injected inside the uterus and X-ray is taken for detecting the abnormalities in the uterine cavity. This also helps to determine if the fluid passes out of the uterus and get spilled out in the fallopian tubes. 
3. Ovarian Reserve Testing: This test helps to determine the quality and quantity of eggs that are available for ovulation. 

How to Prevent Female Infertility? 
There are quite number of ways through which females can prevent themselves from getting affected by infertility. These include: 

1. Taking precaution to prevent sexually transmitted diseases 
2. Avoiding illicit drugs 
3. Completely avoid use of alcohol 
4. Adoption of good personal hygiene and health practices 
5. Having check-ups on an annual basis with the doctor once a woman is sexually active. 

Role of Diet and Yoga in Female Infertility 
Yoga helps to boost the functioning of reproductive system, stress free body and balances the hormones. There are certain asanas and postures in Yoga that specifically target the pelvic area and reproductive organs. The asanas assist in increasing blood circulation and also stimulate energy in these areas. People often report that they feel better, stronger and confident about themselves after going yoga practices. 

Fertility Yoga is a kind of yoga that assist females who are facing problems in getting pregnant. It improves female fertility through:

1. Minimizing stress 
2. Balancing the hormones of the body along with mental health. 
3. Yoga as well as meditation help women who are experiencing challenges related to infertility. 

Meditation and relaxation can help women in: 

1. Enhancing clarity of the mind 
2. Maintain healthy body chemistry 
3. Makes them patient to undergo the rigors of infertility treatment 

Diet can have a big say in affecting female’s fertility. They include:

1. Having more of slow carbohydrates like fruits, vegetables and avoid taking cookies, cakes and white bread. 
2. Completely avoid all kinds of trans fat and focus on having healthy unsaturated fats. 
3. Take more protein from items like beans, nuts, seeds, which contain healthy fats rather than consuming red meat. 
4. Consume whole milk rather than low-fat dairy.

In case you have a concern or query you can always consult an expert & get answers to your questions!

What is PCOD?

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOD) is a common reproductive endocrine disorder affecting in women. In Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, the ovaries produce higher than normal amounts of androgens, and this can interfere with egg development and its release. Some of the eggs develop into cysts, which are little sacs filled with liquid. Instead of egg being released during ovulation in normal menstrual cycle, the cysts build up in the ovaries and may become enlarged. Because females with PCOD are not ovulating or releasing an egg each month, it's common for them to have irregular or missed periods. Polycystic Ovary Syndrome is a common cause of infertility.

In some cases, hair growth on body and face increases. In long term causes diabetes and heart disease. This disease can be treated with Ayurvedic therapy and diet, and exercise also play a vital role in the treatment of PCOD.

Causes and Symptoms of PCOD

There no such causes of this disease but doctors have agreed on three things which are related to the cause of this disease. Main causes of PCOD are:

1. Genes
2. Insulin resistance
3. Inflammation

In some cases, genes and family causes PCOD. Secondly, the insulin resistance as female suffering from insulin cannot use insulin. This resistance of insulin is caused by obesity. Last cause is linked with weight, females who are overweight are suffering from inflammation and this leads to increases in hormone imbalance. There are also several symptoms which females can recognize-

1. Irregular periods occurring at odd time and occurring more often.
2. Excessive bleeding which is more than normal period bleeding.
3. Growth of hair on face and body.
4. Acne is caused due to imbalance of hormones.
5. PCOD also causes hormone imbalance.
6. Weight gain.
7. Headaches are also common.
8. Dark skin and patches of dark skin occur in PCOD.

Various Investigations for PCOD

There are various method through which PCOD are investigated. Basically, it can be investigated by -

1. Irregular periods
2. Higher level of androgen
3. Swelling in ovaries

Moreover, pelvic exam helps in looking into the problem in the ovaries. Similarly, blood test also helps in checking the hormone levels and help in recognizing the PCOD. Ultra sound examination helps in identifying the problems in the ovaries.

Ayruvedic treatment for PCOD –

In Ayruvedic therapy, the treatment extends for about 6 months to one year for PCOD depending on patient’s conditions. The Ayurvedic treatment helps in reducing the insulin resistance and reduce the hormone imbalance, it also ensures the fertility and reduces the body weight as well. The internal medicine of this therapy includes but not limited to the herbs like shatavari, lodhra, Ashoka, alovera, bhramhi, punarnava, cinnamon, haridra, karvellaka, guduchi, neem, trifala, usheera, ashwagandha, jambun, meshashringi, vriashamala, kirattikta etc. which reduces the ovary swelling and responsive for its functioning.

Diet and Yoga helps in improving PCOD-

Diet is essential for treatment of any disease. Similarly, in PCOD if female is diagnosed with PCOD, the first thing one should do is that changing in your diet pattern. The advisable diet for PCOD includes natural food like green leafy vegetable, berries, bitter guard, water melon, amla, broccoli, walnuts, almond, flax seeds, whole grain etc. and better to avoid processed food like bakery items, burger, pizza, junk food, cold drinks, milk, fast foods etc.

Similarly, yoga also helps in curing the PCOD. Certain yoga position and exercise helps in pelvic relaxation and release the stress of the body and reduces the symptoms of PCOD. Yoga improves oxygenation to the reproductive organs, relax mind and reduces mental stress which ultimately helps in correcting hormonal imbalance.

Various factors as discussed above helps in curing and controlling PCOD. Things like Ayurvedic medicine, diet, exercise, yoga play an important role in the treatment of PCOD, which ultimately helps in improving fertility rate naturally. In case you have a concern or query you can always consult an expert & get answers to your questions!