Program for Infertility

There are many different causes and Infertility problems can affect either partner in infertility, which is defined as lack of pregnancy after one year of regular unprotected sex.

In women, common causes of infertility include:

• A lack of regular ovulation
• Abnormalities in the female reproductive tract such as scarred or blocked fallopian tubes
• Endometriosis

In men, the most common cause of infertility is poor semen quality. In both sexes lifestyle and environmental influences can also play a role

• Age – fertility declines in both sexes with age.
• Body weight – being overweight or obese reduces fertility in both sexes.
• Smoking, Alcohol
• Environmental factors – exposure to heavy metals, industrial chemicals
• Stress
• Sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
• Excessive oxidation – oxidative stress is caused by an excess of free radicals (from toxins, pollution, inflammation, stress, obesity etc)
• Methylation problems – One of the most important chemical reactions that take part in the early stages of pregnancy is methylation

By integrating Approaches of Ayurveda, Acupuncture and functional testing of the body of couples, the team of doctors identify nutrient deficiencies, toxins, biochemical abnormalities, and hormonal imbalances not normally detected by routine laboratory assessments. The results can then be used to create a personalised fertility program that includes a diet plan, supplements and fertility boosting herbs.

• Dietary and lifestyle advice will centre around restoring hormonal balance and ovulation and maximizing semen quality.
• Where necessary additional support to manage stress, achieve an ideal body weight or tackle underlying conditions such as PCOS or endometriosis can be included.
• Functional medicine can also be used alongside traditional fertility treatment to support both partners health through the treatment process and maximise the chances of a successful conception.
• Few stress relieving therapies, and therapies to better energy flow to the reproductive and related organs for increasing the ovulation chances and bettering the endometrial receptivity. 2 to 3 months of continuous monitoring and evaluating the couple for various parameters, and treating the body for balancing the hormonal imbalance and correction of stress and anxiety can help conceive in primary infertility couples.

In Ayurveda, infertility (Vandhyatva) is a condition where, due to factors like unhealthy semen and ovary (Sukra Dosha), low strength (loss of Bala) and improper food and lifestyle etc. the spermatozoa and ova gets defected and finally leads to reduced fertility of sperm and ovary. In Ayurveda, this condition is managed with multiple concepts of correcting the states of Dhatu and Doshas. Which increases strength of body, which increase fertility, which nourishes body, nourishing tissues and increasing sexual potency etc. different modalities are used effectively in improving sexual wellness

There are 7 dhadu in Ayurveda, which are the structural and supporting units (category of tissues) of the body. In modern science, it is related to tissues including certain type of body fluids that are responsible for different functions and energy flow in the body. Shukra dhatu relates to the generative tissue in the body (includes semen and ovum constituencies)

Doshas are the metabolic function that are divided into three metabolic types (tri-doshas) Doshas are derived from the Five Elements and their related properties. Vata is composed of Space and Air, Pitta of Fire and Water, and Kapha of Earth and Water. People are thought to be born with a combination of doshas. There are usually one or two dominant doshas which determine our physical, mental, and emotional characteristics.

Ayurveda's tridosha theory identifies principles of motion (vata), metabolism (pitta), and structure (kapha) as discrete phenotypic groupings. Researches have proved that there is a genetic connotation to tridosha theory of individual prakriti types. The dominant dosha is the reason why, for example, one person may not be able to tolerate humidity or oily foods while another person may have no reaction to them. In Ayurveda, each of the doshas thrives under a specific diet, lifestyle, and exercise regimen. An imbalance among the doshas can be corrected by changing diet and lifestyle factors. If left unchecked, an imbalance can lead to illness

A specific approach through Ayurveda:

• Counselling and assurance
• Detoxification through 5 fold detox (Panchakarma)
• Therapies such as Shirodhara, Abhyanga, Nasya, Basti, etc. help in releasing tension, impurities and trapped energy within the body. They nourish the body, revitalize the mind and strengthen the immune system. Rejuvenation therapies are beneficial in reducing stress, nourishing all Dhatus of the body and pacifying dosha and also helps in uterine hostility, and non-ovulatory cycles.
• Strengthening uterus and boosting the functions of the ovary using specific type of 5 fold detox (Panchakarma).
• Removal of local disorders: To remove obstructions in passage and to facilitate proper coitus, and to increase receptivity of the genital tract to the entry of the sperm, Basti is recommended. Massaging the body reduces stress, rejuvenates the entire body, and pacifies the underlying Dosha
• Female infertility is sometimes caused by blocked tubes, pelvic adhesions or other types of trauma or inflammation in the reproductive organs. While it was believed that surgery procedures was the only way to even partially decrease these problems, Ayurvedic experts recommended that a deep tissue work can not only decrease mechanical blockages, but also reduce pelvic pain and improve sexual arousal and orgasm for women
• Medication that promotes fertilization, implantation and growth of an embryo Ayurvedic herbs: As infertility is not a disease by itself but a manifestation of some disease, the herbs used in the treatment are directed towards eradicating the underlying cause. The most commonly known and used herbs such as Ashwagandha (Withania Somnifera), Shatavari (Asparagus Racemousus), Amlaki (Emblica Officinalis) and herbal formulas are extremely useful to create the hormonal balance in the body. No individual herb alone is considered useful for promoting fertility. Therefore, a combination of herbs is used in the treatment of infertility with the purpose of correcting a organic or functional problem that causes infertility.
• Diets and regimen accordingly - as per Ayurveda, food affects the mind also by causing either an increase or decrease in the three qualities of mind (Rajo guna, Satva guna, and Tamo guna*).
• It was believed in the ancient Indian literature that if dietetics is properly followed, medicine is not required but if dietetics is not observed, even medicines are not useful. Dietary management involves strict compliance and adherence to Ojas building foods and to avoid the substances which diminish the Ojas. This is important to regulate ovulation and enhances fertilization. Eating whole foods provides all nutrients for the health of the body in addition to fiber that influences hormonal levels provides

According to the philosophy of Yoga derived from Samkhya Yoga, Prakriti is said to be a composite of three prime qualities. They are the Sattva Guna, which represents light, bliss, goodness; the Rajo or Rajas Guna which represents passion and motion; and Tamas Guna which represents darkness and inertia

Acupuncture is considered as one of the important intervention under ‘energy medicine’ as a system in treating infertility. The points used in the treatment were chosen with the aim to help the patients to improve the energy flow to the reproductive organs, elevate the temperature of the blood for better circulation and remove the blockages that cause stagnation in the flow.

The understanding in Acupuncture (Traditional Chinese Medicine – TCM) conceives the human body as a set of inter-related systems (meridians or Naadi in Sanskrit) that work together in harmony. Problems in one part of the body may be the result of injury to a different part of the body — or to the flow of energy (qi) through the entire body. In Chinese philosophy, qi is the life force (called prana in Indian system of medicine) that flows through all tissues and network of cells.

Everything in the universe derives from qi. When qi flows properly, all things are in harmony and function correctly; when qi is blocked, problems arise. Within the human body, says this philosophy, qi flows through the organs maintaining health and balance. It is thought to provide the energy needed for our bodies to function, support body temperature, maintain the structure and strength of our organs, and keep our metabolism constant. In order to do all of these things properly, qi must flow through our bodies. Where there are blockages and qi cannot flow, we experience health problems.

According to traditional Chinese medicine, liver qi can stagnate (become blocked) as a result of stress or anxiety. Liver qi is said to be responsible to a large degree for the movement of qi through the body. When liver qi is stagnant, the blood becomes stagnant, creating a variety of issues, many of which may relate to the female reproductive system. Ovarian cysts can occur because of stagnation in the Liver energy (Qi), caused by excessive dampness. Excessive dampness is caused by blood stasis and fluids accumulated in the abdomen which slowly becomes phlegm. Accumulation of phlegm and fluids in the lower body is a problem of the energy flow to Kidney (Yang), i.e. a failure of the Kidney to send the water upward. When the water stays in the lower body, then it transforms into phlegm. Therefore the Kidney fails to support the Liver. The main function of the Liver and Kidney meridians is to remove the toxins from the body. If this function is weakened, then the immune system can be disturbed, and abnormal immune reactions may be triggered by the growth of abnormal tissue in the female reproductive organs.

When the cysts are formed because of accumulated water and fluids, the three principal methods of treatments are: (1) Elevate the temperature in the Kidney with the aim to prevent further accumulation; (2) resolve the phlegm masses, and (3) restore normal blood circulation to the affected area.

Infertility in male patients is also a problem of Liver energy (Qi) stagnation, Kidney deficiency and accumulation of dampness and heat in the lower abdomen. Therefore the treatment protocol is the same in both patients. The treatment in both patients aims to remove the liver toxins, dissolve blood stagnations in the liver, nourish the Kidney energy (Qi), invigorate the blood, lower stress and stimulate the whole body to function better.

In conclusion, acupuncture as a treatment for infertility shows great results both in man and women. Acupuncture can be considered as successful treatment in restoring fertility in the patients, by improving the sperm quality and ovaries function and balancing the endocrine system and hormones.

Acupuncture has been used to treat infertility extensively, including ovulatory dysfunction, in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET), and male infertility. Researches and studies have investigated the role of acupuncture in infertility: In conclusion, most of the studies suggest a positive effect of acupuncture in infertility treatment. Firstly, acupuncture may improve ovulation by modulating the central and peripheral nervous systems, the neuroendocrine and endocrine systems, the ovarian blood flow, and metabolism. Secondly, acupuncture can improve the outcome of IVF-ET, and the mechanisms may be related to the increased uterine blood flow, inhibited uterine motility, and the anises of depression, anxiety and stress. Its effect on modulating immune function also suggests helpfulness in improving the outcome of IVF-ET.

Studies have also suggest that acupuncture plays a positive role in male infertility, the mechanism of action is not very clearly ascertained yet. Even though a positive effect of acupuncture in infertility has been found, well- designed multi-center, prospective randomized controlled studies are still needed to provide more reliable and valid scientific evidence.