Tag Archives: Sperm

Male Infertility – Ayurvedic Herbal Treatment

May 18, 2012 1:41 am /

To be fertile, a man must be able to deliver an adequate quantity of normal sperm to a woman’s  reproductive system, and sperm must be able to fertilize the egg. Conditions that interfere with this process can make a man less fertile. The various causes of male infertility and their Ayurvedic herbal treatment are discussed here.

The most common male infertility factors include azoospermia (no sperm cells are produced) and oligospermia (few sperm cells are produced). Sometimes, the quality of sperm cells is very poor, resulting in poor fertility. Treatment depends upon the identifiable cause.

Conditions that increase the temperature of the testes greatly reduce sperm quantity and quality. Undescended testes should be treated medically or surgically before the age of two years, to avoid permanent damage. Varicose veins of the testes can be treated using traditional Ayurvedic formulations like Punarnava Guggulu, Kankayan Vati, Arshkuthar Ras, Suranadi Vati, Kutki (Picrorrhiza kurroa) and Kakmachi (Solanum nigrum). Working in an environment of high temperature, and exposure to chemicals and other industrial toxins should be best avoided. The damage done by these factors to sperm production, can be treated using medicines like Aswagandha (Withania somnifera), Shatavari (Asparagus racemosus), Kapikachhu (Mucuna pruriens), Vasa (Adhatoda vasika), Vidarikand (Ipomoea digitata), Saariva (Hemidesmus indicus), Safed Musli (Asparagus adscendence), Samudrashok (Argyreia speciosa), Gokshur (Tribulus terrestris), Yashtimadhuk (Glycerrhiza glabra) and Pippali (Piper longum).

Hormonal disorders may also interfere with sperm production. Hyperprolactinemia and other pituitary gland disorders may be treated using Kanchnaar Guggulu, Panch Tikta Ghruta Guggulu, Guduchi (Tinospora cordifolia), Amalaki (Emblica officinalis), Mogra (Jasminum sambac) and Musta (Cyperus rotundus). Hypothyriodism may be treated using Arogya Vardhini, Kanchnaar Guggulu and Punarnava Guggulu. Hypogonadism may be treated using Kapikacchu, Ashwagandha, Bala, Vidarikand, Safed Musli and Shatavari. Disorders of the adrenal glands may be treated using Gokshuradi Guggulu, Gomutra Haritaki, Punarnava (Boerhaavia diffusa), Saariva and Deodar (Cedrus deodara).

Mumps, tuberculosis and sexually transmitted diseases can affect sperm production by causing inflammation and obstruction in the male genital tract. This condition may be treated using Aswagandha , Shatavari, Yashtimadhuk ,Pippali , Guduchi, Kutki, Punarnava, Kaishor Guggulu and Triphala Guggulu. Medicated oils like Mahanarayan oil (containing mainly Shatavari), Mahamash oil (containing mainly black gram) and Saindhav oil are used for local application on the scrotal skin.

Genetic disorders, use of medications and recreational drugs, exposure to radiation, smoking, and the excessive use of steroids and alcohol can also affect male fertility.

Some men do have a sufficient quantity of sperms, but are infertile because of the inability to achieve or have sustained erection (called erectile dysfunction or impotence). This condition may be due to physical causes like inadequate blood flow to the penis, diabetes, neurological defects and hormonal problems. Erectile dysfunction may be treated using medicines like Agnitundi Vati, Vishtinduk Vati, Tapyadi Loha, Trayodashang Guggulu, Abhrak Bhasma, Kapikachhu, Bala, Patol (Tricosanthe dioica), Nimba (Azadirachta indica), Triphala (Three fruits), Draksha (Vitis vinifera), Musta and Kutaj (Holharrhina antidysentrica). These medicines may also be used to treat retrograde ejaculation, in which the sperm goes backwards into the bladder, instead of coming out of the penis. Psychological inhibition can be treated by using medicines like Jayphal (Myristica fragrans), Talimkhana (Asteracantha longifolia), Parsik Yavani (Hyoscyamus niger), Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri), Jatamansi (Nardostachys jatamansi), Shankhpushpi (Convolvulus pluricaulis) and Vacha (Acorus calamus).

This is, thus, a short description of the various causes of male infertility and their Ayurvedic herbal treatment.

Author :Abdulmubeen Mundewadi

Posted in: Men Health / Tagged: , , , , ,

Sunny holidays ‘hit sperm count’

September 17, 2010 3:03 am /

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/6688963.stm

Going abroad for a relaxing holiday before trying for a baby may not be a good idea, fertility experts say. Officials at the Bourn Hall Clinic in Cambridgeshire say soaking up the sun in tight trunks may be one of the worst preparations for fathering a child.

Australian research has shown that too much heat can reduce sperm count and slow down the surviving sperm.

But other experts cast doubt on the claims, although they said it may be wise to be cautious.

Many couples feel that a foreign break improves their chances of conceiving by allowing them to relax fully.

However, sperm takes eight weeks to mature in the testes, and during that period, is vulnerable to any changes in temperature.

The testes naturally hang outside the body to keep them cool, and confining them in tight underwear, or dipping them in the hot tub may not be a good idea, it is claimed.

Dr Thomas Mathews, the Medical Director at Bourn Hall, the world’s first assisted conception clinic, said: “We find that at an initial consultation men may have a normal sperm count, but in some cases this has declined when we check again before treatment, which may be several months later.

“It is only recently that it has occurred to us that there may be a seasonal effect at work.”

Hot baths He said experiments had found that exposing the testes to heat over long periods led to a decreased sperm count.

In the 1950s, it was even suggested that regular hot baths could be a successful contraceptive.

Modern IVF methods do not require large numbers of viable sperm, as a single sperm can be used to fertilise an egg, in a process called ICSI.

The Australian research on animals found that heating the testes caused cell death, and a subsequent reduction in the numbers of sperm in the semen.

In addition, the sperm that were present had a reduced swimming ability, and might therefore be less capable of fertilisation.

But Sheffield University fertility expert Dr Allan Pacey said: “If this was a major effect, I think we would see people having problems conceiving in every country in the Tropics.

“However, it’s worth being cautious, as there is some evidence that scrotal heating can have an effect on DNA quality in sperm.”

Posted in: Men Health / Tagged: , , ,

Antidepressant Associated Changes In Semen Parameters

September 17, 2010 2:47 am /

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/57127.php

UroToday.com – The authors describe 2 patients who have had severely impaired sperm concentration and motility closely associated with the use of antidepressant medications.

They noted a temporal relationship between abnormal semen parameters and antidepressant therapy in these two patients. Each had normal semen parameters off medications.

The evaluation of each patient was unremarkable. While on antidepressant medications, both patients produced semen samples with marked impairment of sperm concentration and/or motility. Each patient demonstrated a normalization of sperm concentration and motility after discontinuation of antidepressants.

The authors hypothesize that Serotonin-reuptake inhibitor antidepressants may affect sperm transport, resulting in impaired sperm motility and concentration for some patients.

Posted in: Men Health / Tagged: , , ,

Male Painters Exposed To Fertility Damaging Chemicals

September 17, 2010 2:35 am /

Men working as painters and decorators who are exposed to glycol ethers are more likely to have poor semen quality, according to research carried out by scientists from the Universities of Sheffield and Manchester.

Sperm motility is an important factor in the fertility of men and the concentration of motile sperm per ejaculate has shown to be linked with conception. However, the size and shape of sperm (morphology) and the quality of sperm DNA are also important factors that may be affected by chemical exposure.

The researchers however did conclude that, apart from glycol ether, there are currently few workplace chemical threats to male fertility.

In additional to chemical exposure, the study looked at other non-chemical factors in the men’s lifestyle. The researchers discovered that men who had undergone previous surgery to the testicles or who undertook manual work were more likely to have low motile sperm counts, whereas men who drank alcohol regularly or wore boxer shorts were more likely to have better semen quality.

Read Complete article at http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/108733.php

Posted in: Men Health / Tagged: , , ,