The important issue is that for many cases of female infertility there are effective treatments because a defined cause can be identified whereas for male infertility there is essentially none.
• To optimize overall fertility potential and maximize chances of natural conception.
• To prevent unnecessary added delays, since many couples are now postponing parenthood.
• To screen for modifiable practices or lifestyle elements that might be affecting male fertility.
• To identify treatable causes of male infertility
Fertility History:
The doctor will ask about any medical or sexual factors that might affect fertility:
• Frequency and timing of sexual intercourse
• Duration of infertility and any previous fertility events
• Childhood illnesses and any problems in development
• Any serious illness (such as diabetes, respiratory infections, cancer, or previous surgeries)
• Sexual history, including any sexually transmitted diseases
• Any exposure to toxins, such as chemicals or radiation
• History of any medications and allergies
• Any family history of reproductive problems
Semen Analysis:
The basic test to evaluate a man's fertility is a semen analysis. The sperm collection test for men who can produce semen involves the following steps:
• A man should abstain from ejaculation for several days before the test because each ejaculation can reduce the number of sperm by as much as a third. To ensure an accurate sample, most doctors recommend abstaining from ejaculation for at least 2 days, but not more than 5 days, prior to semen collection.
• A man collects a sample of his semen in a collection jar during masturbation either at home or at the doctor's office. Proper collection procedure is important, since the highest concentration of sperm is contained in the initial portion of the ejaculate. Specially designed condoms are also available that enable collection of a sample during sexual intercourse. (Regular condoms are not useful, since they often contain substances that kill sperm.)
• The sample should be kept at body temperature and delivered promptly. If the sperm are not analyzed within 2 hours or kept reasonably warm, a large proportion may die or lose motility.
• A semen analysis should be repeated at least three times over several months.
The sperm count test is performed if a man's fertility is in question. It is helpful in determining if there is a problem in sperm production or quality of the sperm as a cause of infertility. The test may also be used after a vasectomy to make sure there are no sperm in the semen.
The man and woman should both be present when the doctor discusses the results of this analysis so that both partners understand the implications. The analysis report should contain results of any abnormalities in sperm count, motility, and morphology as well as any problem in the semen. However, semen analysis alone is not necessarily a definitive indicator of either infertility or fertility.
A semen analysis will provide information on:
• Amount of semen produced (volume)
• Number of sperm per milliliter of semen (concentration)
• Total number of sperm in the sample (count)
• Percentage of moving sperm (motility)
• Shape of sperm (morphology)
Semen Volume and Concentration. The seminal fluid (semen) itself is analyzed for abnormalities. The color is checked and should be whitish-gray.
The amount of semen is important. Most men ejaculate 2.5 - 5 milliliters (mL) (1/2 - 1 teaspoon) of semen. Either significantly higher or lower amounts can be a sign of prostate problems, blockage, or retrograde ejaculation.
The semen will be tested for how liquid it is. Abnormal results may suggest prostate gland problems or lack of sperm.
Other factors may also be measured:
• An absence of semen fructose (sugar) may indicate obstruction in the vas deferens or epididymis.
• Low levels of a substance called inhibin B, which is produced only in the testes, may indicate blockage or other defects in the seminiferous tubules.
• Low levels of another compound, alpha-glucosidase, may also indicate blockage in the epididymis.
Dietary Considerations:
Everyone should eat a healthy diet rich in fresh fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Replace animal fats with monounsaturated oils, such as olive oil. Certain specific nutrients and vitamins have been studied for their effects on male infertility and sperm health. They include antioxidant vitamins (vitamin C, vitamin E) and the dietary supplements L-carnitine and L-acetylcarnitine. To date, there is no conclusive evidence that they are effective.
Dealing with Stress:
The fertility treatment process presents a roller coaster of emotions. There are almost no sure ways to predict which couples will eventually conceive. Some couples with multiple problems will overcome great odds, while other, seemingly fertile, couples fail to conceive. Many of the new treatments are remarkable, but a live birth is never guaranteed. The emotional burden on the couple is considerable, and some planning is helpful:
• Decide in advance how many and what kind of procedures will be emotionally and financially acceptable and attempt to determine a final limit. Fertility treatments are expensive. A successful pregnancy often depends on repeated attempts.
• Prepare for multiple births as a possible outcome for successful pregnancy (especially if assisted reproductive technologies are used). A pregnancy that results in a multiple birth introduces new complexities and emotional problems.
• Determine alternatives (adoption, donor sperm or egg, or having no children) as early as possible in the fertility process. This can reduce anxiety during treatments and feelings of disappointment if conception does not occur.
AYURVEDIC TREATMENT BENEFITS AT OUR CENTRE:
Ayurveda takes a holistic view about health and treats the body as a whole instead of an individual ailment. Once you visit at our clinic, We will collect your health history before diagnosing you. Once the doctor is certain of what ails your body, he’ll be ready to treat you!
The main focus of Ayurvedic treatment for infertility is to ensure the proper transformation of food into nutrients that can move to the ‘dhatu’. We have developed some specialized treatment for Female Infertility.
Infertility in a woman can occur due to various reasons, some of them can be easily curable, now lets know how to confront it. Guidelines to treat female infertility is To treat any ailment one should be sure of the causative factor, once it is detected you can proceed with the medications and therapies. As mentioned earlier the vata dosha, predominantly Apan vayu should be taken care of along with the associated impaired Dosha. Pain, swelling, Vaginal infections, ulcerations should be treated according to the cause for the same. Herbs like Punarnava, Gokshur, Haridra, Anantmool, Manjishtha, Triphala, Chandan reduces swelling and pain. If Pandu (Anaemia) is the cause it should be treated first. Intercourse should be strictly avoided till the swelling subsides if overindulgence is the reason for swelling. These medicines also bring the infection under control when taken along with medicines like Chandraprabha vati, Arogyavardhini, Sookshma triphala, chandanasav, ushirasav.
