Abstract

CRITICAL ASPECT OF INFERTILITY IN AYURVEDA

Ragini Shukla*, Shailesh Singh, Jitendra Kumar Sharma, Purushottam Das Sharma, Dinesh Kumar Sharma and Deepa

ABSTRACT

Infertility is defined as a condition in which a woman is unable to conceive following a year of unprotective sexual behaviour. Infertility causes social and psychological stress since not being able to enjoy the joys of parenting is a very stressful situation for any woman. Infertility is referred to in Ayurveda as Vandhyatva. Ayurveda emphasises the importance of Ritu (time of conception), Kshetra (reproductive organs), Ambu (nutrition), and Beej (seeds, i.e. ovum and sperm) in the development of healthy progeny, and any vitiation in these factors leads to infertility. Infertility can be caused by Aratavvahstrotas, Yonidosha, Kshetra, or Ashay Vikruti (Antarmukhi uterus, Mahayoni, and Prasausini Yoni), Sahaj Vikruti (congenital anomalies), and Yoni-roga (Arbuda, Arsha, and Granthi, for example). Similarly, modern medical science has identified a number of causes that contribute to infertility, including monthly irregularities, hormone abnormalities, PCOS tube blockage, genital tissue injury, and genetic factors. Many strategies for managing infertility were offered by Ayurveda, including a good daily diet, medications such as Satavari, Ashwagandha, Punarnava, and Dasmoola, and numerous detoxifying treatments such as Nasya, Vaman, Virechan, and Vasti. These four elements, known as Garbhsambhav samagri, are important in understanding infertility from an Ayurvedic perspective, as well as providing new perspectives on how to properly manage infertility in Ayurveda.

Keywords: Ayurveda, Ambu, Beej, Infertility, Kshetra, Ritu, Vandhyatwa.