MALE INFERTILITY

MALE INFERTILITY

Posted on August 25, 2012 by Dr. Shweta Labde

Infertility in general can be classified as :

1) Male Infertility

2) Female Infertility.

1) Male Infertility :

The following points need to considered while studying Male Infertility :

• Volume of semen.
•  Sperm count – oligospermia, azoospermia, necrospermia.
• Motility of sperm.
• Structural defects of sperms – Due to vitiated vata dosha.
• Any obstruction in genital tract.
• Erectile dysfunction.

 Causes of Male Infertility :

Ayurveda explains following causes for male infertility :

• Ativyavayat – Over indulgence in sexual activity.
• Vyayamat – Over exertion, it may include any kind of physical exertion or strenuous mental efforts.
• Avyayamat – Over relaxation, laziness or spending very leisure life.
• Asatmyanam cha sevanat – Eating over spicy, salted, sour, frozen foods, foods with low nutrition and lack of hygiene; also behavioural habits like sleeping very late at night, hectic lifestyle leads to disparity of Rakta and Pitta Dosha, ultimately causing Shukra kshaya i.e. deficit in Shukra Dhatu qualitatively and quantitatively.
• Akale – It means at inappropriate time; i.e. before desirable age specifically before age of 16 in females and 18 in that of males, or beyond the age of 65-70 where the body faces generalised debility. Another aspect explains having intercourse very frequently and many times (5-6 times) in a day also leads to debility of Shukra dhatu.
• Ayonau – Indulging into sex in other than natural ways, i.e. Masturbation, oral or anal sex etc.
• Maithunam Na Cha Gachataha – Suppression of sexual urge.
• Narinam Arasaudnyata – Having intercourse with undesirable partner.

The other essential causes are fear, stress, sorrow, tight clothing, working in hot environment for long duration. Smoking and alcohol consumption significantly affect virility in males.

Trauma to the genital organs, generalised debility, muscle weakness and stress can result in erectile dysfunction.

Suppression of sexual urge, infection in reproductive tract, or any kind of stricture can cause an obstructive pathology.

Treating Male Infertility :

Overcoming male infertility requires some basic modulation in lifestyle and food habits.

The treatment includes Shodhan chikitsa i.e. cleansing therapy depending upon dominancy of derranged doshas. Vaman in Kapha dushti, Virechan in Pitta dushti and Basti in case of Vata dushti.

Panchakarma therapies like Abhyanga (whole body massage), Shirodhara, Nasya endows great deal of physical and mental relaxation.

Regular exercise and yoga promotes added assistance. One should practice pelvic floor exercises, padmasan, mool bandha to strengthen and optimize the functionality of the desired organs.

Treating obstructions or infections if any, with medicines like Gokshur, Guduchi, Triphala, etc. Also Uttar Basti treatment  serves beneficial in cases of obstructive pathologies, it as well strengthens the muscles of urinary tract and reproductive system.

Rejuvenation and Aphrodisiac treatment plays an important role;Rejuvenation therapy revitalizes the body and reinforces it internally and externally thus enhances body endurance and also assists in creating healthier sperms. Medicines like Chyawanprash, Musali paak, Rasayan vati, Kandarpa paak, Kushmand avleha, etc serves the purpose. A combination of milk + ghee + honey + cold water in specific proportion depending upon one’s body constitution along with other medicines like yastimadhu, shatavari, amla, etc. serves as a good rasayan.

Aphrodisiac Therapies are of 3 types :

1. Sperm generating or enhancing sperm count.
2. Those which helps in ejaculation of seminal fluid.
3. Medicines which serve both the above purpose.

Medicines like Shatavari, Nagbala, Bala, Musali, Ashwagandha, Milk, Ghee, Haritaki, Amla, Yastimadhu, Pippali, Shatavari kalpa plays an essential role in improving count of efficient sperms.

Kapikacchu, Vidari, Gokshur, Shatavari, Ashwagandha, Bruhati phala, medicinal preparations like Vrushya vati, Shilajatu, Vanari kalpa cures problems related to Semen ejaculation.

Gokshur, Ashwagandha, Musali, Kapikacchu, Pippali, Milk, Ghee, Fruits and fruit juices; and the most important aspect – pleasant relaxed state of mind is the key ingredient to treat infertility. Vrushya vati  not only increases sperm count qualitatively and quantitatively, but also improves vigor, it also takes care of problems like impotency, loss of libido.

All the above mentioned medicines can be used in powder form, or for superior results they should be used in the form of medicated milk or ghee, Because oleation and revitalization of cells is an integral part of the treatment.

Necessary Diet Modifications :

• Fresh, organic fruits, fruit juices and vegetables.
•  Almonds, walnuts, pumpkin seeds, black currants, dates, figs, apricots, and raisins.
• Milk , milk-date shake, milk-mango shake can also be cherished.
• Dairy products like cream, lassi, butter; especially intake of Milk and Ghee should be increased. They can be taken plainly, or in medicated form.
• Non-vegetarians can include preparations of eggs, meat (Goat meat), rooster. Soups increases appetite and also provides desired nutrition.
• Rice pudding or vermicelle pudding, sweet preparation of suji in ghee is also beneficial.
• Spices such as ajwain powder, cumin, turmeric cleanses the genitourinary tract.
• Include coconut and coconut milk in your diet.

A big “NO” to Smoking and Alcohol consumption is must.

You should always attend the natural urges.

There are still many medicines depending upon an individual body constitution, all the above recommended medicines should be taken under consultation of Ayurvedic physician.

Oligospermia refers to semen with a low concentration of sperm and is a common finding in male infertility. Often semen with a decreased sperm concentration may also show significant abnormalities in sperm morphology and motility.

Oligospermia is defined as less number of sperm in the ejaculate of the male. Among infertile couples, 40% are primarily due to the infertility of the male partner, while in 20% of these cases it is a combination of both male and female factors associated which lead to infertility. Out of several causes of male infertility, in clinical practice Oligospermia is considered one of the most prevalent causes.

Since Oligospermia tends to have no effect on sexual function, men may not know they have this unless they are having trouble conceiving with a partner.

The diagnosis of Oligospermia is based on one low count in a semen analysis performed at on two occasions. For many decades, sperm concentration of less than 20 million sperm/ml were considered low or Oligospermic, recently, however, the WHO reassessed sperm criteria and established a lower reference point, less than 15 million sperm/ml, consistent with the 5th percentile for fertile men. Sperm concentrations fluctuate and Oligospermia may be temporary or permanent.

Oligospermia is one of the main causes of male infertility or sub-fertility. Sub-fertility is a reduced ability to achieve a pregnancy while infertility is defined as the complete inability to produce a pregnancy after about one year of unprotected sexual activity.

Semen deficiencies are often labeled as follows:

• Oligospermia or Oligozoospermia – decreased number of spermatozoa in semen
• Aspermia – complete lack of semen
• Hypospermia – reduced seminal volume
• Azoospermia – absence of sperm cells in semen
• Teratospermia – increase in sperm with abnormal morphology
• Asthenozoospermia – reduced sperm motility

There are various combinations of these as well, e.g. Teratoasthenozoospermia, which is reduced sperm morphology and motility. Although low sperm counts are often associated with decreased sperm motility and increased abnormal morphology and thus represent “Oligoasthenoteratozoospermia”.

Oligospermia can be the result of many factors, some are permanent and some are reversible. Causes of Oligospermia include an obstruction of the normal flow of sperm due to such conditions as testicular trauma and vasectomy. Oligospermia may also result from scarring due to surgery on the male reproductive system or from infection and sexually transmitted diseases.

A decrease in sperm production is another cause of Oligospermia. This can be due to such conditions as varicoceles (Varicoceles are found in 15% to 20% of all men and in 25% to 40% of infertile men), hormonal disorders, diseases of the testicles, and obesity. Other causes of Oligospermia include stress, smoking, drug or alcohol use, some medications, exposure to some toxins or chemicals or radiation, congenital testicular abnormalities, age (fertilization rates decrease among men over 40 years of age), malnutrition, overheating (hot tubs, fever etc.), tight briefs, being underweight and general health and wellness issues. Even frequent biking can impact sperm production. Some sexually transmitted disease, such as Chlamydia, and Gonorrhea can also result in Oligospermia.

Ayurveda management

Ayurveda, the science of life, prevention and longevity, is the oldest and most holistic and comprehensive medical system available. It uses the inherent principles of nature to help maintain health in a person by keeping the individual’s body, mind, and spirit in perfect equilibrium with nature.

As per Ayurveda, Oligospermia can be correlated with ‘Shukra kshaya”. Even though none of the standard Ayurvedic texts have mentioned about the count of Sperm or Motility of sperm but clearly mentions the quality of semen in the form of ‘Shuddha shukra Lakshana’.

In Ayurveda, healthy semen which is more fertile is described as

“shukram shuklam guru snigdham madhuram bahalam bahu|
ghritamaakshikatailabham sadgarbhaya ||”

This means the semen which is white, heavy, sticky, sweet in taste, more in quantity and which may look like the color of ghee or honey or oil is always fertile.

At CHARAKA, we provide a very effective, holistic and wide range of treatment modalities for curing Oligospermia. Hundreds of formulations, herbs and recipes, variety of Panchakarma and rejuvenation therapies are advocated to achieve the above said qualities of semen.

Ayurveda has advocated a separate branch which deals with the management of defective semen and spermatogenesis along with sexual potencification, is called as Vajikarana tantra (Aphrodisiac medicine). Vajikarana Therapy is recommended in Ayurveda for men who are above 16 and below 70 to maintain optimum sexual activity and healthy semen.

The treatment of Oligospermia comprises of administration of rasayanas and vajikara dravyas or medicines (virilificatory or aphrodisiacs) internally, Panchakarma & Vajikarana therapies for detoxification and rejuvenation along with diet and lifestyle modifications, will not only help in better conception but also in producing healthy offspring.