Infertility is the inability in a woman to conceive or in a man to induce conception. It is a problem of grave concern for childless couples, who feel that life is void without a child.
Symptoms of Infertility
In some cases, an infertile woman may have abnormal menstrual periods. An infertile man may have some signs of hormonal problems such as changes in hair growth or sexual function.
Infertility is the diminished ability or the inability to conceive and have offspring. Infertility is also defined in specific terms as the failure to conceive after a year of regular intercourse without contraception. Irreversible infertility is also referred to as sterility.
Male infertility occurs when the man’s partner does not conceive after one year of attempting to become pregnant. Other signs and symptoms depend on the underlying cause of the man’s infertility.
Since ages various indigenous preparations have been used in treating sterility and infertility in India. Some useful herbs include Shatavari, Phalagrita, Manjistha, root and bark of Pipala, Bakul, Kevda, Ashwagandha, Saraswati grita. The main causes for infertility according to Ayurveda are eating spicy, salty and hot food that increase pitta and destroys shukra (semen), overindulgence in sexual activities that leads to shukra kshaya (loss of semen) it may also cause clibya (impotency), controlling sexual urges for longer duration that results in veeryaavarodha (Obstruction of semen) and leads to decreased libido. In some cases impotency is acquired by birth also.
Causes of Infertility
Pelvic adhesions and endometriosis
Pelvic adhesions and endometriosis can cause infertility by preventing the sperm from reaching the egg or interfering with fertilization.
Pelvic adhesions are fibrous scars. These scars can be the result of past infections, such as pelvic inflammatory disease, or infections following abortions or prior births. Previous surgeries can also leave behind scarring.
Endometriosis may lead to pelvic adhesions. Endometriosis is the abnormal location of uterine tissue outside of the uterus. When uterine tissue is planted elsewhere in the pelvis, it still bleeds on a monthly basis with the start of the normal menstrual period. This leads to irritation within the pelvis around the site of this abnormal tissue and bleeding, and may cause scarring.
Treatment of Infertility
One of the most important steps that a couple can take is to contact a qualified reproductive endocrinologist/infertility specialist early in the course of their treatment. The reproductive processes are very complex and specialists undergo years of advanced training to prepare them to deliver the best in infertility care possible. These specialists will order fertility tests to help determine the exact cause(s) of a couple’s infertility.
Tragically, we often see infertile women who have undergone months of unsuccessful therapy with drugs such as Clomid and often in the absence of a male evaluation. No infertility treatment of the female will be successful without enough viable sperm. A reproductive specialist always requires a male infertility workup.
