Abstract

EFFECT OF LIFESTYLE FACTORS ON WEAKENING OF SHUKRAVAHA STROTAS (REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM) – A REVIEW ARTICLE

Sonali Dilip Wairagade*, Anuja Vasant Nagrare and Deepali Giri

ABSTRACT

Ayurveda defined three fundamental physiological constituents of the human body, namely dosha, dhatu, and mala. The human body is composed of 7 dhatus (seven tissue categories). Shukra is Dhatu 7th. It is present in the entire body. Despite being present from birth, it becomes active after age seventeen. In classics the definition of stri-shukra is discussed. All dhatus have their unique positions within the body; they are present in subtle form in every cell. Every cell has the capacity to separate itself or to replicate itself. While one has to interpret the shukra dhatu feature of garbhotpadana (reproduction). Sperms are also one component of shukra along with sperm fluid and male sex hormones, parallel to which females possess artava. Stri-shukra excreted during coitus is nothing but the secretions of bartholins, cervical and endometrial glands at the end of Shukra Dhatu anatomical and physiological variability contributes to infertility As this time has seen radical changes in many aspects of our diet and lifestyle as well as our climate, Shukra Dhatu is adversely affected in particular by its contamination with man-made chemicals. Many health problems have to do with the lifestyle and dietary factors. That increase in reproductive disorders identified in recent years may at least in part be correlated with these causes, which are exacerbated by some of the new emerging lifestyles. The available evidence show that lifestyle factors such as obesity, cigarette smoking or chewing, alcohol and some of the illegal substances such as cocaine, cannabis, etc., and excessive heat exposure, have adverse effects on both male reproduction and female reproduction. Data on other factors such as cell phone use and stress on reproductive health are insufficient, and need to be analyzed in depth. Lifestyle-related diseases may be minimized with food, living and working environment changes, etc. In order to prevent further complications, sub fertile and/or normal subjects have some control over their reproductive system by following healthy lifestyles. The data provide compelling evidence that in the summer months, the sperm counts and/or semen content are significantly lower than in winter. The most persuasive evidence would possibly come from two sets of studies, one longitudinal and the other cross-sectional. Sperm counts from the same men collected in summer and winter were measured in the former and showed an average reduction of 30 percent in sperm counts in summer versus winter.

Keywords: Shukra Dhatu, Illicit drugs, Lifestyle factors, Age, Obesity, Reproductive impairment, Rasayan, Vajikaran Lifestyle, Pregnancy, Infertility, Smoking, Obesity, Alcohol