Male infertility refers to the inability of the man to help produce an offspring even after one year of sexual union without the use of contraceptives. This male infertility can be caused by erectile dysfunction such as the inability to attain an erection and defects connected with sperm such as a low volume, low sperm count, blockage in man’s reproductive system, abnormally shaped sperm, or that don’t move correctly etc. Male infertility can either be congenital or acquired later in life due to a variety of causes.
Even when a man has a strong desire to perform the sexual act, he cannot perform it as he cannot attain erection of his penis. Erection of the penis occurs due to the mental or sensory stimulation or both. Due to impulses from the local nerves brain blood flows in and fills the spaces of spongy tissue in the penis. This creates pressure in the corpora cavernosa, making the penis expand.
Erectile dysfunction can occur when nerve impulses in the brain, spinal column, around the penis, fibrous tissues, veins and arteries are disturbed. Working for long hours , tension and mental stress, insufficient sleep, old age, grief, fear and anxiety, liver disorders, prolonged bicycle riding, obesity, addiction to drugs, alcohol and tobacco, use of anti depressants and tranquilizers, asthma , heart diseases etc are some of the major reasons for erectile dysfunction and the resultant male infertility.
Ayurveda system of medicine offers treatments for curing male infertility by rectifying the erectile dysfunction, increasing the sperm volume and the sperm count, correcting the retrograde ejaculation and strengthening motility etc.
All treatments in Ayurveda are prescribed only after a careful diagnosis of the patient’s body constitution, family history, sex, age, stage of the disease etc. This will enable the patient to receive treatments that are specifically suited to his very needs. Ayurveda treatments will therefore vary from patient to patient.
The first consultation with an Ayurveda doctor, including the diagnosis will last for more than an hour. The basic step in the diagnosis will be to find the person’s body humor (Dosha) – Vata, Pita or Kapha, because it is the imbalance of these body humors that creates male infertility.
The dominance of dosha in a person is found by asking several questions on his behavior, food habits, sleeping patterns, age, height & weight, place of life, profession, health problems and medical reports etc. Ayurveda diagnosis comprises of clinical and laboratory tests also.
Pulse, tongue, nail, and eye examinations are important diagnosis methods used to reveal a person’s body humor and its imbalance. This will help the doctor in treating the disease.
Pulse diagnosis in Ayurveda is not just counting the beats. It also reveals the health status of the entire body constitution, including the dosha imbalance and the health of the various body organs.
Intongue diagnosis, the doctor checks the general appearance, colour and coating of the tongue. In Ayurveda, as different areas of the tongue correspond to different organs of the body, the Ayurvedic practitioner can determine which organs of the body are out of balance by having a detailed tongue examination.
Nail examination is done to check the type, colour and shape of the person’s nail. Imbalances of doshas are easily detected on close examination.
In the eye diagnosis, the colour, size and even the shape of the eyes are important in determining the dosha dominance of a person. His mental status – nervousness, anxiety, confidence level etc – can also be learned through eye diagnosis.
A preliminary consultation with Ayurveda doctors online is also possible nowadays for guests worldwide.
After the diagnosis, the doctor sets out to treat the patient in a very systematic manner. This would include a set of appropriate Panchakarma treatments and Rasayana therapies .
The Panchakarma Treatments are meant to flush out the toxins, They are classified as pre-purification, main purification and post purification phases and include various types of therapies like oil massages, fermented liquid massages, medicinal enemas, herbal purification methods.
The Rasayana Therapies are meant to nourish the body, to bring the doshas back to balance and to regenerate the body.These comprise diet regulations, daily regimens, intake of oral medicines and ayurveda tonics, yoga and a stress free life. After the treatment the ayurveda doctors will advise you how to lead a healthy life. The beneifts and results of the treatment are shown only after the Rasyana Treatment is over and doctors advise is strictly followed. The results will manifest itself normally after 3 to 4 weeks as the body takes time to regenerate itself.
Pre-purification therapies are the first ones applied to loosen the toxins, open up the circulation channels and get the body ready for discarding these wastes. These methods are highly relaxing for the body and mind.
The following pre-purification methods are usually adopted in curing male infertility.
Snehapanam is an important pre purification therapy which consists of oral intake of medicated ghee and sesame oil for a specified number of days. This unique treatment helps flush out the toxins from the body. Amaltas, guggul, ginger, neem, onion, chopchini, tribhala etc. are some of the ingredients used for its preparation. Apart from being a purva karma treatment, snehapanam also improves the delicacy of the skin, enhances memory and the grasping power of an individual
Swedanam means medicinal perspiration and involves the active sweating of the whole body using medicated steam. Through this process the agni is increased and the fatty tissues get mobilized. The channels of the body are softened. This causes the impurities to move out through the skin. Through the Swedanam therapy, toxins are expelled through the sweat also. Swedanam cleanses the channels thoroughly and helps to control the vitiated doshas.
This is the phase of elimination of toxins that were loosened at the pre purification treatment stage. These therapies are highly potential methods and are usually overseen by doctors. The commonly adopted Panchakarma treatments for male infertility are Vamanam, Virechanam and Vasthi
Vamanam is induced vomiting using herbal medicines and is one among the renowned panchakarma treatments. Through vamanam, the toxins and acids of the upper parts of the body are completely eradicated. As the channels are freed from harmful toxins, the body tissues get recharged. The person's memory power also increases, the sense organs get better clarity and his digestive fire increases. In total, the person gets a powerful revitalized feeling. Vamanam, in addition to offering effective treatments for male infertility, also rejuvenates the person's body and mind
Virechanam consists of the intake of safe herbal medicines leading to the elimination of poisonous wastes through the anal route. This cleansing of the mid zone benefits the entire body system. The appetite and body strength increases making you a more active and energetic person. Virechanam as a main purification therapy is highly effective in the treatment of male infertility.
Vasthi is an enema therapy. It is considered the ace colon cleaning panchakarma treatment. In this form of treatment special medicines are introduced through the anal route for the evacuation of accumulated toxins and metabolic wastes. It washes out all the toxins in the metabolic system through the digestive tract. It is highly recommended in the treatment of male infertility. As a rejuvenating health treatment, vasthi imparts high immunity and longevity, reduces degeneration of tissues, and prevents ageing. Dill seeds, honey, rock salt, herbal pastes, oils and decoctions are the main ingredients used in vasthi.
These are body nourishing therapies to rejuvenate the body and mind after the Panchakarma treatments. They keep the enzymes in the tissue cells in their normal functioning condition, restore and balance the body functions and maintain the overall health and well being of an individual for much longer periods after the Panchakarma course. Rasayana therapies for male infertility include oral medicines and diet regulation.
used for treating male infertility will be extracts of pure medicinal herbs, leaves, spices etc. These are prepared specifically to restore the lost balance and to provide the needed inputs to cure male infertility. Kashayam and Arishtam - herbal decoctions and fermentations Lehyams– semi solid formulation are commonly prescribed. Turmeric, black cumin, onion, liquorices, garlic, fenugreek, etc are some of the medicinal herbs and spices used in the preparation of kasha yams, aristams and lehyams for treating male infertility.
Kindly consult your ayurveda physician who will prescribe the most suitable oral medicine for your disease.
Ayurveda recommends a whole some and nutritious diet to be consumed by those undergoing treatment for infertility. Certain foods and herbs have an affinity to the reproductive system and these are to be consumed regularly. These foods have the qualities of sweetness, offer nourishment, and help to build the body tissues and muscles.
Consumption of all fresh organic fruits and vegetables are encouraged. Sweet juicy fruits such as mangoes, peaches, plums and pears are recommended. They should take regularly almond nuts, walnuts and pumpkin seeds. They should also consume dairy products such as milk, cream, ghee, lassie etc. Dried fruits such as dates, figs and raisins are also very effective in increasing male sperms and recommended in the treatment of male infertility. Apart from these, food combinations such as milk- dates shake, milk- mango shake are also to be consumed regularly. Intake of rice pudding is also advised by male infertility patients.
You can find out your type of prakruthi and decide a diet for yourself.
Yoga and meditation are always beneficial and have always played a vital part in curing every type of disease. Yoga exercises done every day replenish and rebalance the physical and emotional systems that are depleted by the everyday stresses that lie so heavy on our lives. Yoga makes it possible to rest on a strong base of confidence and strength within oneself.
Lotus pose or the Padmasana is one of the useful yoga poses recommended for use of male infertility patients. Lotus pose increases blood flow to the perineum and directs prana or the life force to the lower two charkas that govern sexual functions. Another useful exercise is the pelvic floor exercise as through this exercise, circulation to the reproductive system is enhanced. In addition practices such as the moola bandha, ashwini mudra and vajroli mudra are recommended as these emhance the sexual prowess and potency.
Life Style for Male Infertility
Patients suffering from male infertility are advised to take at least one or two weeks of rest after the panchakarma experience. At this time, the body is weak after the purification process and needs time to get back to normalcy. As sexual impulses originate in the brain, patients should avoid tension, worry, fear, anxiety and all other things that lessen the urge to do the sexual act. They should also take care of their physical and mental health and should not exert themselves both physically and mentally.
Male infertility patients should do exercises on a daily basis. They should sleep for a minimum of 8 hours a day and should drink several glasses of water. However, they should avoid consumption of alcohol, tobacco and narcotics.
