Recently, a couple in their lates 30s joined my 6-month conception program. The woman was a patient of mine from seven years ago when she took part in my 3-month program to improve her gut health. They had been trying to conceive naturally for the last 5 years, but couldn’t succeed. So, they had approached a doctor for infertility treatment, who told them that her AMH levels were low and suggested IVF as they were losing time. They were warned that waiting longer could make it even harder for IVF to work.
Because the woman believed in Ayurveda and lived an Ayurvedic life, she was hesitant to go for IVF. She was emotional during the consultation saying how she didn’t want to go through all those procedures. I spent the hour talking to the couple, reassuring them that it was okay to explore all options, including trying to conceive naturally. As they proceeded with the treatment, the lady was able to conceive naturally in 2.5 months.
It’s becoming common for doctors to suggest IVF to couples who approach them for infertility issues. Just like the woman, there are many who approach them as the last resort but are made to feel scared in the name of progressing age and more. Nobody must go through such fear and anxiety. This is where Ayurveda can be helpful.
So, to answer the question, yes! Ayurveda does provide treatment for infertility. In fact, Ayurveda has all answers to infertility and offers treatment that is not invasive or painful. The messages brimming with happiness, sharing the fruitful results of the treatment we provided to patients who had come to me with fertility issues show how effective Ayurvedic fertility treatment can be!
Infertility from the Ayurvedic Perspective
In Ayurveda, infertility is viewed as a multifaceted issue stemming from imbalances in the body’s Doshas (biological energies), low digestive fire (Agni), and the accumulation of toxins (Ama). These imbalances can be attributed to various factors such as lifestyle choices, stress levels, and reproductive issues like PCOS, hypothyroidism and endometriosis. You can have them easily treated with Ayurveda.
Age as a factor in conception
While age plays a significant role in fertility, Ayurveda recommends the optimal age for conception to be between 24 and 30 years. However, fertility can still be supported beyond this age if you are in good health.
You should not be suffering from conditions like PCOS, endometriosis or thyroid. Also, you should have good AMH levels and optimum size and number of follicles. Now, in case If you have any of the above-mentioned health conditions, you can take a break from trying to conceive for at least three months and get your health conditions treated with Ayurveda. Once you are healed, you can again try to conceive naturally.
Conception essentials
According to Ayurveda, there are 4 essentials (Garbhasambhava Samagri) for conception. Whether you are just starting or have been on this path for a while, understanding these essentials can make the journey smoother. They include the following:
- Fertile period (Garbhasaya Ritu)
- The uterus (Kshetra)
- Nourishment (Ambu)
- The gametes (Beeja)
Ayurvedic treatment for infertility
Whether you are just starting or have been on this path for a while, it is best to consult an Ayurvedic doctor for guidance. At my hospital, we offer a conception program where I and my team help couples, especially the mothers-to-be, create the right environment in their womb to help them conceive naturally.
The conception program is for 6 months. Both partners should be present for the consultations with their reports that contain basic parameters like TSH, AMH, size and number of follicles, LSH, FSH, prolactin, testosterone levels, semen analysis (for men), etc.
We thoroughly analyse the reports to understand the condition of their bodies and to check for any underlying health conditions. If they have any such conditions, we spend the first three conditions to correct them to bring the body to a normal balance or to optimise the body. Then we start the conception treatment.
Ayurveda does not have concepts like ovulation. There are higher chances to conceive on the 7th day after period. So, we ask the patients to try to conceive then. Meanwhile, we also help to improve the fertility of women and men with the help of Ayurvedic herbal combinations and formulations and cleanses like Vasti and Virechana that enable natural conception. So, the minimum time taken will be 6 months.
I believe in looking at things from a spiritual perspective as well. I always tell my patients that 95% of the journey is in their control. My team and I will guide couples by equipping them with knowledge and helping the mother prepare her body for conception. Meanwhile, the patients should also focus on their Karma (actions) by following principles and practices to optimise their digestive fire (Agni) and their fertility. The rest 5% should be left to the universe.
Despite challenges like age and fertility issues, our Ayurvedic fertility program has yielded remarkable results. I even had a 44-year-old woman who attended my program conceive naturally.
Role of lifestyle practices in fertility
Ayurveda highlights lifestyle practices as a significant contributor to fertility. Ayurvedically one of the most important causes of infertility these days is the consumption of Kapha increasing foods and following practices that aggravate Kapha. It could also be genetic, where daughters inherit Kapha tendencies from their mothers. Conditions like thyroid, fibroids, PCOS, etc. are all results of aggravated Kapha. Therefore, it is essential to make dietary and lifestyle changes to reduce Kapha tendencies. Regular exercise, such as brisk walking, can help break down Kapha.
Practices to improve sperm health
Here are a few practices that can help boost sperm health:
- Keep your laptops away from your lap
- Keep your phones away from your pocket
- Include cooling foods in your diet
- Strictly avoid incompatible foods
- Reduce stress and exercise more
Role of diet in fertility
Your diet does have an influence on your fertility. But it does not mean having or avoiding one or two foods can help.
We don’t have the concept of superfoods in Ayurveda as one food alone cannot make a difference in a person’s fertility. Ayurveda believes each person is unique. So, the food that is suitable for one person might not suit the other. It all depends on your Prakriti (body type), health conditions and Dosha predominance.
So rather than being specific about one food, you must focus more on factors like whether your meal is balanced, how it acts on your body and whether your digestive fire (Agni) or gut health is good.
The diets that I recommend to my patients as an Ayurvedic doctor are personalised. They include foods that are easily digestible for them, which maintain the metabolic homeostasis and improve their Agni.
Foods for sexual health
While your diet is entirely dependent on factors like Prakriti (body type), health conditions and Dosha predominance, there are few foods you can have to improve your libido and sexual health.
They include:
- Pomegranate
- Barley soup
- Dates
- Black gram soup with ghee and rock sugar
- Moringa
Ayurvedic herbs to improve fertility
In Ayurveda, there are many herbs that help improve fertility. Most of them are Vata subsiding, like dill seeds, Chitraka, licorice, etc. However, we don’t give these to a person as a single herb. This is because how each herb acts individually differs from how they act when combined.
There are many formulations mentioned in Ayurveda that improves fertility that are prepared using a combination of different herbs. However, we don’t recommend the same formulation for everyone who is looking to conceive naturally. It depends on each person’s body imbalances.
As an Ayurvedic doctor, I really wish people realised how Ayurveda stands relevant even in the modern times. If you are struggling with fertility issues and is looking to conceive naturally, you can join my 6-month conception program. And if you have any underlying health issues, it can be resolved by correcting your gut health with 3-month Agni Awakening program. If you would like to know more about the program, just drop and email to info@doctorrekha.com and I will share with you the details.
If you are struggling with any health issues, you can either book a consultation with us or send us a message via WhatsApp to +91 79074 89839. We have the best Ayurvedic doctors in Trivandrum who are always glad to help you. If you have any queries, contact us. You can also visit us at our hospital.