Abstract

ROLE OF VATA IN FERTILITY

Dr. Sruthi Sajeev*, Dr. Arun Pratap and Dr. Lekshmi R.

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Abstract

Infertility is a disease of the male or female reproductive system defined by the failure to achieve a pregnancy after 12 months or more of regular unprotected sexual intercourse. Infertility affects millions of people of reproductive age worldwide – and has an impact on their families and communities. Estimates suggest that between 48 million couples and 186 million individuals live with infertility globally. In the male reproductive system, infertility is most commonly caused by problems in the ejection of semen, absence or low levels of sperm, or abnormal shape (morphology) and movement (motility) of the sperm. In the female reproductive system, infertility may be caused by a range of abnormalities of the ovaries, uterus, fallopian tubes, and the endocrine system, among others. Infertility can be primary or secondary. Primary infertility is when a pregnancy has never been achieved by a person, and secondary infertility is when at least one prior pregnancy has been achieved. According to Ayurveda, Vandhyatwa is the inability of the couple to achieve conception. It is considered as one among the 80 Nanatmaja Vyadhis by Acharya Kashyapa. For a good progeny, Acharya Vagbhata has described 6 factors and one among them is the importance of Vata Dosha. Vata has a prime factor in causing infertility and various disturbances in the reproductive health; hence it is essential to understand the role of Vata Dosha in Vandhyatwa. Here an attempt is made to review, analyze and interpret the Guna and Karma of Vata and its subtypes, to study its role in fertility.

Keywords: Infertility, Vata Dosha, Vandhyatwa.