Infertility in Female

Infertility means not being able to conceive or women who are able to conceive but not able to carry a pregnancy in term. Infertility may be

1. Primary infertility: Women who had never been able to get pregnant after 1 year of unprotected sex.
2. Secondary infertility: Women who had at least one successful pregnancy in the past but unable to get pregnant again.

Main symptom - Inability to get pregnant.

Other symptoms that may present are:

• Painful intercourse
• Weight gain
• Change in sex drive
• Pain in the pelvic region
• Back pain
• Absent menstrual period
• Irregular periods.
• Too short periods (less than 21days)
• Too long periods (more than 35 days)

Common causes both in primary and secondary infertility:

• Older age-due to loss of strength and capacity.
• Gynaecological disorders - PCOS, Growths (such as fibroids or polyps) in the uterus and cervix, endometriosis etc.
• Abnormalities of reproductive organs.
• Sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
• Medicines such as chemotherapy drugs.
• Diabetes.
• Cancer or tumor.
• Thyroid disease.
• Autoimmune disorders, such as anti-phospholipid syndrome (APS).
• Psychological abnormalities and emotional instability.
• Being underweight or overweight.
• Stress.
• Hormone imbalances.
• Abnormalities in mode of life:
  • Suppression of natural urges causes aggravation doshas and which will cause  gynaecological abnormalities and prevent implantation in the uterus.
  • More athletic training.
  • Poor diet.
  • Smoking.
  • Excess alcohol use.
  • Unpleasant sexual activities.

Causes - primary infertility:

• Constriction of vulva and vagina.
• Clotting disorders.
• Birth defects that affect the reproductive tract.
• Pelvic infection resulting in scarring or swelling of fallopian tubes (hydrosalpinx) or pelvic inflammatory disease (PID).

Causes - secondary infertility.

• Injury to the uterus or its displacement complications related to prior pregnancy or surgery.
• Surgery to prevent pregnancy (tubal ligation) or failure of tubal ligation reversal (reanastomosis)

 Treatment protocol aims at: 

1. Use of strength producing and nourishing herbs and dietary supplements .
2. Cleansing the channels of the body using appropriate herbs and herbo mineral preparations .
3. Administration of drugs which helps in conception and implantation of fetus.
4. Rejuvenating the reproductive system.

The first line of treatment should always be avoiding/treating the causative factors. If the problem persists then consider the following treatment protocol.

1. Gynaecological disorders like PCOS, growth (polyps, fibroids), endometriosis, etc - Main reason behind these conditions are due to hormonal imbalance which may result from unhealthy diet or lifestyle or causes unknown. Amalaki, Ashwagandha, Gokshura and formulations like Chandraprabha vati help to treat them by balancing hormones. It also cleans the channels and rejuvenates the reproductive system and cures fatigue.
2. Prepare the uterus for implantation - With the help of Bala, Kapikacchu, kamala, Shivlingi beeja, Lakshmana helps to balance the doshas and prepare the uterus for implantation and also helps in the growth of the fetus.

(The above mentioned Ayurvedic drugs are Herbs and Herbomineral preparations)

Other therapies - Snehapana, Swedana, Vamana, Virechana, Asthapana and Anuvasana enema will help to cleanse the body and the woman conceives positively and delivers normally. Procedure like nasya is also beneficial in infertility treatment.

Amalaki, Chandraprabha vati, Ashwagandha, Gokshura, Bala, Kapikacchu, kamala, Shivlingi beeja, Lakshmana

When to seek help sometimes depends on your age:

Up to age 35, most doctors recommend trying to get pregnant for at least a year before testing or treatment.

If you're between 35 and 40, discuss your concerns with your doctor after six months of trying.

If you're older than 40, your doctor may want to begin testing or treatment right away