Role of Ayurveda in the management of Vandhyatva w.s.r. to Infertility

Abstract

Vandhyatva (infertility) is a condition of one year of intercourse without conception involving a male and a female partner. This health problem is present since ancient period and is increasing with the changing lifestyle. Stress and working pattern with multiple other factors affects the health and motility of spermatozoa leading to abnormalities in the factors which are essential for the conception. It is hard to accurately pinpoint male infertility prevalence across the globe since many cases do not get reported in many countries. Some studies concludes infertility cases close to 48 million couples worldwide, 50% infertility cases are women related, 30% are caused due to male infertility, and rest due to other factors. There is increasing public awareness for the implications of this problem and about the advancement available in the field of infertility. Many concepts and medicine are introduced by modern practitioner but they are not free from side effects. In Ayurveda, Vandhyatva (infertility) is a condition where, due to factors like Sukra Dosha (unhealthy semen), Ativyayama (over exercise), loss of Bala (low strength) and improper Ahara (food) and Vihara (lifestyle) etc., the Beejamsha (spermatozoa and ova) gets defected and finally leads to reduced fertility of Sukradhatu (sperm). In Ayurveda, this condition is managed with multiple concepts of correcting the states of Dhatu and Doshas. Balya (which increases strength of body), Vrishya (which increase fertility), Brumhana (which nourishes body), Rasayana (nourishing tissues) and Vajeekarana Dravya (increasing sexual potency) are used effectively in improving sexual wellness. Therefore here an attempt is made, to understand Vandhyatva (infertility) from all aspects of reduced fertility and management of the condition from Ayurveda point of view has been elaborated.