Infertility from a Holistic Perspective

Infertility is defined as the inability to conceive after one year of sexual life without contraception. It is also known as Sterility. There are many hormonal causes of infertility that could be in the male or female. These causes may be due to lifestyle, food and diet. In 10% of the cases of infertility, no obvious abnormality can be found to explain its occurrence. Infertility tends to be very traumatic on the couple in general, and the affected individual, in particular. He / she often experiences a deep sense of inadequacy and incompleteness.

Types of Infertility

Infertility may be classified as:

a) Primary Infertility where conception has never occurred. 
b) Secondary (acquired) Infertility where conception has failed to occur after a period of fertility.

The following factors may interfere in the process of fertility:

• Physiological

Infertility exists naturally before puberty, after menopause, during pregnancy and sometimes during lactation.

• Pathological

1) Faulty male factors in one fourth of the cases
2) Faulty female factors in half of the cases
3) Faulty male & female factors in the remaining one fourth of cases

In 10% of cases, no obvious abnormality can be found to explain infertility. This is unexplained infertility.

Causes of Infertility

Any number of the following male or female factors may be responsible for infertility:

• Male Factors

Age above 45yrs, obesity, fatigue, heavy smoking, alcoholism, nervous tension about sex and psychiatric illness can affect fertility.

Some diseases such as hypothyroidism, diabetes mellitus and hypothalamic pituitary dysfunction lead to infertility.

Some males produce antibodies against their own sperm due to conditions such as orchitis and vas obstruction, leading to infertility.

Ignorance about sex - no consummation of marriage, poor frequency of sexual intercourse, severe phimosis and hydrocele also lead to infertility.

Defect in sperm production due to undescended testes, hypospadias, klinefelter syndrome, small pox, mumps, varicocele (enlarged testicular veins), and huge hydrocele also lead to infertility.

Impaired sperm function due to urethritis, vas ligation leads to infertility.

• Female Factors

Age above 35yrs, obesity, fear of sex, marital disharmony can lead to infertility.

Disorders such as thyroid disorders, hormonal amenorrhea, irregular menstrual bleeding, polycystic ovarian disease cause infertility through anovulation.

Narrow vaginal introitus (opening), spasms of the vagina, vaginitis, and escape of semen after coitus can also lead to infertility.

Intracervical obstruction, cervical scarring, cervicitis and cervical polyp lead to infertility.

Uterine tumors can lead to infertility. Tubal occlusions or peritubal adhesions caused by pyogenic tuberculosis, chlamydia and appendicitis can lead to infertility.

Hyperprolactinaemia, oophoritis, cysts, ovarian tumors, premature ovarian failure, and unruptured follicles can lead to infertility.

Diagnosis of Infertility

It is diagnosed by the gynecologist when:

• Women below 25 yrs (above 18yrs) are unable to conceive after two years of normal sexual life without contraception. 
• Women from 25 to 35 yrs are unable to conceive after one year of sexual life without contraception. 
• Women above 35 yrs are unable to conceive after one year of sexual life without contraception.

Normally, about 90% of women conceive within 18 months of regular sexual activity, without contraception.

A patient is investigated for infertility the following ways:

• For women, the history of menstrual cycles, previous pregnancies and systemic diseases is noted. A total health check-up and genital tract check-up is carried out to evaluate any abnormalities.
• In men, the history of sexual function, coital frequency, smoking, addiction and systemic disease is noted. A total health check-up is done to identify any abnormalities.
• If both are found to be normal, a semen analysis is advised.
• If the semen analysis report is normal, the couple's hemoglobin, blood group, VDRL, post-lunch blood glucose and urine analyses are conducted.
• If the above laboratory investigations are normal, cervical dilatation & curettage (D&C) may be performed between the 18th and 21st day of the menstrual cycle and the endometrial tissue (inner layer of uterus) is sent to the laboratory for histology.
• If the D&C report is normal, hysterosalpingography (HSG) (a radiological procedure) is done to test the patency of the fallopian tubes.
• If the tubes are patent, an ovulation test is done, by checking the basal body temperature. If ovulation takes place, the fern test, thread test and post-coital test (PCT) are done to rule out cervical factors as causes of infertility.
• If HSG findings are abnormal, laparoscopy dye test is done.
• If there are menstrual abnormalities, then, thyroid profile, prolactin, and testosterone levels in the blood are checked.
• For low sperm count, testicular biopsy is done. The man is carefully evaluated for varicocele in cases of low sperm count.
• Plasma hormones like FSH, LH, prolactin, TSH and testosterone are tested in male endocrine studies to rule out Klinefelter syndrome, Sertoli cell only syndrome, hypothyroidism, and acromegaly.
• Sperm mucus slide test is done on normal sperm-count samples, where immunological cervical factors are suspected.

Causes of HPV

• HPV is transferred by skin-to-skin contact. 
• A group of at least 30 types of HPVs are transmitted through sexual contact and affect the anogenital region.
• The lesions are initially restricted to the area exposed to the infection, i.e. genital warts are seen in vaginal intercourse, anal warts when anal sex is practiced, and warts in the mouth or throat in people who have oral sex with infected partners.
• Direct contact of the skin or mucosa with the warts can also transmit the virus. For example, if a man touches his genital warts and then touches another person, the latter may develop warts on the exposed part.
• Most cases of HPV infections do not give rise to signs or symptoms. It is thus often transmitted unknowingly.
• In rare cases, it can also be transmitted vertically or transplacentally, from mother to child.

Signs and Symptoms of an HPV Infection

Signs and symptoms of HPV vary depending on the type of the virus one is infected with.

Most HPV infections do not show any manifestations, even though they are present in the body. Such dormant infections can get activated at any point, when there is a drop in immunity. Even in the dormant state it may be transmitted to another individual.

Signs and symptoms commonly seen are:

Genital Warts:

• They are also called as Condylomata acuminata or venereal warts and are HPV symptoms caused by HPV types 6 and 11.
• These warts may be pedunculated (with stalks) and cauliflower-like in appearance, or sessile (without stalks). The warts are usually soft, fleshy, and moist. They may ooze, bleed, get pustular and itch, at times.
• In women, genital warts can be seen on the labia majora, minora, cervix, vagina, and anus.
• In men, genital warts mostly appear on the scrotum or penis, especially around the corona glandis like a garland of warts encircling the head of the penis.

Pre Cancerous Lesions:

• These are potentially dangerous HPV symptoms caused by infection with 'high risk' sexually transmitted HPVs, including types 16, 18, 31, 33, 35, 39, 45, 51, 52, 56, 58, 59, and 68.
• These are pre-cancerous affections, which can progress to invasive cancer, and are most commonly seen in the genital areas.
• These types of HPV cause cellular changes or dysplasia in the cervix or vagina.
• Such lesions can be easily detected on a PAP smear.

Cancer of the Cervix, etc:

• Persistent infection with high-risk types of HPV increases the chances of developing Cervical Cancer. Types 16 and 18 are responsible for 70% of cervical cancer.
• All cases of cervical cancer are caused by HPV infections.
• The high risk types of HPV can also cause cancer of the anus, mouth and upper respiratory tract.

Lesions of the Upper Respiratory Tract:

• Some strains of HPV can affect the mouth and upper respiratory tract.
• They could give rise to HPV symptoms like warts on the tongue, tonsils, buccal cavity, larynx and nose.
• These warts interfere with breathing and may require surgery.

Plantar Warts:

• These appear on the sole of the foot.
• They typically have a cauliflower like appearance.
• They may ooze blood through capillaries when the surface is cut open.
• They spread on contact with the virus, through cuts and abrasions on the skin.

Diagnosis of an HPV Infection

• Diagnosis is based on history given by the patient and visual examination of the affected part.
• Application of acetic acid to almost invisible warts causes them to fade and appear prominent for better diagnosis and to spot the exact location and extent of the lesions.
• Pap smear tests in women become mandatory to look out for dysplasia in the cervix, which could undergo precancerous changes. A Pap test can detect pre-cancerous and cancerous cells in the cervix. Regular Pap testing and careful medical follow-up, with treatment if necessary, can help ensure that pre-cancerous changes in the cervix caused by HPV infection do not develop into life-threatening cervical cancer.
• If the Pap test yields inconclusive results, a HPV DNA test is done to identify the type of HPV. If the HPV DNA test indicates a high risk type of infection, it is more likely to present a cancer risk.
• In suspicious looking lesions, a biopsy followed by histopathological examination can be done to ascertain the diagnosis.

Complications of an HPV Infection

• One of the most dreaded complications of HPV is cancer. In women, the possibility of cervical cancer as a result of the virus is more as compared to vulvar or anal cancers. It therefore very important that once HPV or cervical dysplasia is detected, women get their Pap smear tests done at regular intervals to tackle dysplastic and precancerous changes at the earliest.
• Penile cancer in men, although a rare feature, has been known to be caused by HPV. Treatment for HPV in men should therefore not be neglected.

Prevention of an HPV Infection

• HPV can only be prevented by avoiding direct skin or mucosal contact with the warts, and by avoiding any unprotected sexual activity with an infected partner.
• The use of condoms definitely helps to control the transmission provided that the warts are only over the penis and are fully covered by the condom during sexual activity.

• If the warts are elsewhere, like on the scrotum, thighs, or pubic region, the infection can get transmitted, and hence any sexual activity should be avoided till the warts are fully treated.
• Since the virus is in the body fluids too, French kissing with a lot of salivary exchange between partners is also risky, as the virus can get transmitted.
• If a woman has warts on her breast near the areola or nipples, she should avoid breast-feeding, as she could infect her child.

There are several conventional medicines prescribed for treating infertility depending on whether the condition is related to the male or female gender. However, these Allopathic treatments do not cure Infertility as they do not address the root causes. They are merely a way of suppressing symptoms.

Treatment for Female Infertility

Ovulation inducing drugs are used for women with anovulation or oligoovulation.

The drugs used are: Clomiphine citrate, Human menopausal gonadotrophin (HMG), Gonadotrophin releasing hormone (GnRH), Bromocryptine and Corticosteroids. 

Clomiphine Citrate may cause side-effects such as, hot-flushes, visual blurring, abdominal pain or bloating, urticaria and some amount of hair loss. 

Human menopause gonadotrophin may cause side-effects like ovarian hyper stimulation, ovarian enlargement, and very rarely a large ovarian cyst with ascites and pleural effusion.

Bromocryptine may cause nausea, vomiting and diarrhea, headaches, dizziness and even hypotension. In cases of tuberculosis, a full course of anti-tubercular treatment is given.

In case of endometriosis, (where fragments of the endometrial lining are found outside the uterus) danazol treatment is given.

Surgical Rx for Female Infertility

• Cervical dilatation and uterine curettage (D&C) is found useful, as in some cases there is intracervical fibrous ring obstruction.
• Fenton's operation is done for tight hymeneal ring with vaginismus in newly married women, where penile entry into the vagina is incomplete or impossible.
• Myomectomy is indicated in young women where sub mucus fibromyoma is found to be the only reason.
• Metroplasty is performed in double or septate uterus with tendency to repeated abortions.
• Tuboplasty is done to remove tubal blocks.
• Cervical suture operation is indicated in repeated mid pregnancy abortions due to cervical incompetence.
• Micro surgical wedge resection on ovaries in polycystic ovarian disease and ovarian cystectomy in the case of chocolate cysts are done.

Treatment for Male Infertility

For low sperm count, tablet clomiphene is given to stimulate spermatogenesis. Testosterone is given, but has not been documented to be effective.

Impotence due to psychoses or the use of antidepressants, hypotensives and tranquilizers can be corrected on controlled use of these drugs.

Smoking and excess alcohol consumption should be stopped. 

Plastic splints when used with the penis help in penetration and emission even if there is no erection. 

In the case of premature ejaculation, all the causes of impotence are treated. The patient is advised pelvic floor exercise and the squeeze technique.

In immunological infertility, corticosteroid therapy is given.

Obstruction of epididymus or vas is corrected surgically in case of obstructive azoospermia. In case of oligozoospermia, artificial insemination of husband (AIH) can be done.

Artificial insemination of donors (AID) is indicated in azoospermia or severe oligozoospermia. But this procedure may have medico legal implications.

Special Treatment 

In vitro fertilization and embryo transfer is now widely used to treat infertile couples with irreparable tubal damage, severe endometriosis, oligozoospermia and unexplained infertility. 

Adoption is advised if treatment of an infertile couple fails to result in conception in 2 years or in couples with unexplained infertility who fails to conceive within 3 years.

• Couples are given proper education on healthcare, lifestyle, sex life and conception.
• Women weighing less than 45kgs are put on adequate home resource food; clean drinking water and afternoon rest so that they may put on weight.
• Obese women weighing more than 75 kgs are put on carbohydrate and fat restricted diet programs and daily exercises.
• Anemic women are given oral iron therapy to improve anemia.
• Smoking and alcohol consumption are stopped by both partners.
• The couple is educated to have proper sex daily or on alternate days from the 11th to the 18th day of the menstrual cycle (if cycles are regular).
• If semen flows out of the woman's vagina, she should lie on one side for 5 minutes pressing the thighs together, keeping the vaginal mouth closed.

Complementary Natural Care

Natural therapies like Ayurveda and Homeopathy have a holistic and comprehensive approach. They are traditionally believed to not only address the symptomatic manifestation of a disorder but also balance the energetic, emotional, mental, physiological and immunological responses of the individual. **

Every single ingredient in every Biogetica kit has huge amounts of traditional use data from Ayurveda and Homeopathy and is supported by modern studies and trials. However, people and governments today tend to have varying opinions and laws regarding natural supplements and complementary therapies. We, therefore, prefer not to make any claims, but instead, point all Patients and Doctors to independent research and clinical studies that support their effects in a scientific manner. In some cases, we compare the results of these studies to those of pharmaceutical medicines, in order to show that natural products can provide just as much or may be more, when compared to drugs that often have side effects.

In order to present this information in an unbiased and up to date manner, we simply show you Google Scholar search results of all scientific articles available on a certain product or an ingredient. If you do so much as read the synopsis of the research, the choice becomes clear. You can read and compare the results of drug studies and the results of studies on which Biogetica relies. We support you in your right to know and choose drugs or natural alternatives!

• Glycyrrhiza glabra
• Sepia
• Damiana

The above remedies support the normal functioning of the reproductive organs and also help balance the hormones.

If you have read the research above, you are now in a position to make an intelligent decision. We suggest you discuss this research with your Doctor, or one of our Doctors available online.

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Biogetica is on the vanguard of healthcare innovation combining for the first time three separate and unique disciplines: traditional ayurvedic herbs, advanced resonance homeopathy, and ground-breaking nutraceuticals designed from the molecule up to provide health and freedom to you.

Our mission is to provide you with integrated natural solutions that target root issues across the physical, energetic and informational spectrum of your life. Our Doctors research all possible ingredients and combine them synergistically into kits to help bring your body into balance.

Biogetica’s products reflect an understanding of both the molecular and vibrational nature of life and therefore bridge the gap between the current understandings of medicine, biology, and quantum physics.

Biogetica has a holistic and comprehensive approach of dealing with infertility in men and women. Our kits are believed to restore the balance in the endocrine axis and regulate spermatogenesis and ovulation. ** Sarcodes present in our kits contain energetic imprints of healthy organ tissue that are believed to coax the respective organs into optimal functioning. **

The proof of our methods is evident from the ground-breaking results we have seen in independent clinical trials, and more importantly, in the lives we’ve helped uplift.