Ayurveda Infertility - Healing Principles of Health

Fertility problems are becoming increasingly common in the modern world, particularly among people living in urban areas. An estimated 15% of couples will have trouble conceiving (UCLA Health, 2020), while in the United States alone approximately 9% of men and 10% of women aged 15 to 44 have experienced fertility issues (CDC, 2013 and Office on Women’s Health, 2019).

Defined as the inability to conceive naturally through unprotected intercourse over an extended period (12 months or more), infertility can cause serious distress among those who are trying for a baby. At Sen Wellness, our Ayurvedic doctors are here to support you throughout your fertility journey and to help you restore a healing balance in your life. Let’s delve a little deeper into some of the possible causes of infertility and how Ayurveda can help.

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Causes of infertility, according to Ayurveda

“Sperm should be cold in nature and Ovum should be like fire" / "Soumyam shukram agneyam artavam"

Ayurvedic history has focused on the importance of treating infertility, its causes and the many treatments that can help achieve positive results.

The reality is that there are a wide range of reasons why an individual might be having fertility difficulties and usually there is more than one contributing factor. The physical causes in a woman may be due to a range of health issues, such as blocked fallopian tubes, premature ovarian failure, ovarian or cervical cancers, endometriosis or other menstrual cycle issues. The menstrual cycle is a key factor to consider when looking at the causes of infertility as it can be affected by age, lifestyle, diet, stress, mental health and physical activity. Male infertility can be caused by various conditions that impair sperm production or ejaculation, hormonal imbalance, tubular defects, and testicular cancer. According to Ayurvedic teachings, all of these conditions can be caused by a dosha imbalance of Vata, Pitta or Kapha.

Traditionally, Ayurvedic teachings explain that infertility can be caused by a variety of leading factors such as:  

  • Bad nutrition, poor digestion or a toxic build-up in the body causing specific ailments.  
  • Low sperm count due to overeating spicy, salty and hot food.  
  • Infections or injuries to the reproductive organs.  
  • Overindulgence in sexual activity.  
  • Overly excessive control of sexual urges for extended periods.  
  • Genetics or hereditary predispositions.  

Busy, career-driven women living and working in cities are increasingly experiencing a number of these factors, exacerbated by heavy stress, an over-stimulated adrenal system, exposure to environmental pollutants, and a diet which lacks the nourishment needed to facilitate fertility. What’s more, more women than ever before are choosing to have children later, often after the age of 30. In their mid-thirties, some women experience hormonal, metabolic and endocrine imbalances that can affect their fertility, further complicating attempts to conceive.

Managing infertility with Ayurveda

Ayurvedic principles aim to support your overall health by giving strength to the body’s independent healing, whilst balancing your energetic levels. Ayurvedic practitioners take a holistic approach to treating infertility, aiming to improve the overall health and vitality of the individual. 

Ayurveda strongly believes that diet plays a crucial role in the prevention, management and healing of disease. Diet management involves a disciplined attitude towards food that increases what is known in Sanskrit as Ojas (where the physical, mental and spiritual health of the body intersect, responsible for overall health, energy and vitality), as well as avoiding the foods and substances that diminish Ojas. 

Ojas-enhancing foods such as nut milk, ghee, nuts, avocados, fresh fruit, vegetables and plant proteins can improve the interaction between hormones, whereas processed carbohydrates, starch, meat and processed dairy milk can negatively affect fertility.

A trans-fats-free diet can help to reduce blocked arteries, enhance fertility, and restore the heart and blood vessels. However, other foods that contain preservatives, artificial sweeteners, MSG, high fat or other artificial flavours and colours, as well as excessive alcohol, caffeine, cigarettes, red meat and refined sugar or carbohydrates, are leading causes of infertility.

Optimum health can be achieved through living life with a healthy approach and choosing natural foods and products that don’t toxify the body or create added stressors and ailments. All of these can be very important factors when helping to balance ovulation and strengthen the fertilisation process. Eating well and living a healthy lifestyle can provide all the effective nutrients and management of infertility needed for health, hormonal balance and getting pregnant.  

Ayurveda Infertility

Ayurveda for infertility recommends these top seven ways to promote a healthy lifestyle in order to enhance and manage your fertility.  

  1. Maintain good hygiene habits so as not to obtain any infections or viruses.  
  2. Eat a good variety of organic, wholesome food made fresh to nourish your cells and help build healthy reproductive tissues.   
  3. Be mindful of your digestion and avoid too much caffeine, alcohol and overconsumption of unhealthy foods.  
  4. Choose joyful and happy life experiences to manage stress levels.  
  5. Encourage the healthy development of the body’s tissues, including the reproductive organs, also known in Sanskrit as Shukra Dhatu in Ayurvedic medicine.  
  6. Get good amounts of sleep!  
  7. Enjoy a massage (abhyanga) every day. This is particularly good if you are a Vata or Pitta type. If you are a Kapha then dry body brushing could be a good alternative. 

Treatment principles of infertility in Ayurveda

Our founder, Sam Kankanamge, has over 25 years’ experience supporting women with fertility problems at the Sen Wellness clinic on Harley Street, London, alongside some of the world’s foremost professionals in the field of modern fertility medicine. He has translated this experience into a unique programme at the Sen Wellness Sanctuary, addressing a range of factors that contribute to infertility, including:

  • Biological, metabolic and hormonal imbalances
  • Emotional, mental and spiritual support
  • Nutritional health

Our programme also goes beyond Ayurveda infertility treatment to include other holistic approaches, such as acupuncture and cranial osteopathy. All Ayurvedic therapy treatments aim to feed, rejuvenate, improve the immune system, and revitalise the mind, body, and soul. They can be helpful in reducing physical and mental discomfort by nourishing all the body’s dhatus, as well as helping to lower anxiety and eliminate impurities.

There are four main Ayurvedic treatments for infertility

Treatment of Ama Toxins

The build-up of Ama toxins can also lead to the imbalance of Agni (or Digestive Fire) which can cause disease in the mind and body. Thus, the treatment of Ama must include the treatment of Agni. A healthy Agni can therefore contribute to a healthy Ojas overall.

Vatanulomana

The main dosha attributed to infertility is Vata. Therefore, a treatment called Vatanulomana (correction of the functions of Vata) is a key treatment for infertility, supported by a rigid exercise routine and strict nutritional programme.

Swedana

Swedana is a cleansing and stress-relieving therapy recommended for patients suffering from ailments such as asthma, weight, digestion issues, body inflammation and infertility. Based on the temperature, herbal mix and devices used to induce sweat, there are six forms of Swedana: Pinda Sweda or Navarakkizhi; Ooshma Sweda or Bashpa Sweda; Avagaha Sweda; Nali Sweda; Upanaha Sweda; and Patrasweda or Ilakkizhi. During all Swedanas, the sweat-inducing agent is carefully directed along the surface of the body. This movement gently dislocates the toxins inside and channels them to specific sites. This detoxification therapy helps in the expulsion of toxins from the body and can help to correct ovarian, tubular and uterine problems causing infertility.

Panchakarma

Panchakarma helps to eliminate toxins from the body and strengthen the reproductive system, treating ovarian, tubular and uterine issues causing infertility. Scientific research suggests that secondary infertility (when a woman can’t get pregnant after having had at least one successful pregnancy) accounts for roughly 40% of female infertility, due to lifestyle factors. In Ayurvedic tradition, this is in relation to having proximity to the Vandhyatwa disorder. Ayurvedic infertility practitioners may recommend Panchakarma to women suffering from secondary infertility, with the intention of purifying the doshas in the female reproductive organs. Snehapana is then prescribed for oral intake, followed by Virechana, a purge, to produce higher quality ovum.

Ayurvedic herbs used to treat infertility

Infertility is very complex and often the result of one – or a combination – of undetected issues elsewhere in the body. That’s why Ayurvedic herbs are used as part of a treatment plan in order to tackle root cause(s). The most common herbs used to treat infertility are Ashwagandha, Kapikacchu, Musali, Shatavari and Amalaki, all of which have extremely useful formations to help synergise hormonal balances between the Follicle Stimulating Hormone and the Luteinizing Hormone. 

Our Ayurvedic Doctors at Sen Wellness will be able to prescribe the right combination of Ayurvedic herbs to support you on your wellness journey and to help with specific physical and emotional ailments, including:

  • Regulating the menstrual cycle 
  • Enhancing your general health and wellness 
  • Revitalising sperm quality, quantity, and motility
  • Reducing stress hormones 
  • Enhancing sleep 
  • Easing anxiety or erectile dysfunction 
  • Increasing energy  
  • Balancing the endocrine system to improve overall blood flow to the pelvic region and promote fertility
  • Bringing fresh oxygenated blood to the eggs  
  • Promoting hormonal balance by strengthening the feedback loop between the pituitary, hypothalamus, and ovaries, which controls the levels of hormones produced
  • Helping to restore natural balance to your body

How does Sen Wellness Sanctuary approach Ayurveda for infertility?

The Ayurvedic approach to infertility treatment at Sen Wellness is holistic and sensitive to your individual needs, desires and constitution. By exploring how your physical health, lifestyle, diet and exercise regime impact your fertility, we can also discover the root cause of any infertility issues, whether that may be due to anxiety, lack of sleep, lack of motivation or emotional imbalances.  

When you start to search down the Ayurvedic path, we recommend that you obtain medical tests to determine if there are any genetic, hereditary or physical causes affecting your fertility. We can then assess your health from an Ayurvedic perspective. Shortly after arriving at Sen Wellness, our doctors will curate a comprehensive programme that will address your overall health and well-being on every level, including diet, lifestyle, stress management and exercise routines in line with the appropriate herbal therapies and Ayurvedic treatments.  

We understand that the process of conception can be physically and emotionally challenging, and begin to feel helpless if you have been trying for a while. It is difficult to know what route to take, however, an Ayurvedic approach could be the first step in achieving the ultimate gift of a child.

Sara T.
Went for a 10-day spring retreat! Staff were really attentive — special mentions for Ms DiMuthu and Roshan who did a good job with massages, and the driver Gobi has excellent driving skills (prob the only one that didn’t give me carsickness on the long drives)
The staff helped us arrange safaris and day trips to mirisa beach, and tangelle town.
Anneka K.
Loved my stay at Sen - 3 days in a peaceful haven! Great service from the staff especially the therapists, and the cooks. Everyone is extremely friendly and you feel so well taken care off. Rooms are beautiful, food is delicious, massages are wow and the pool/beach are just perfect. Would recommend to anyone looking for a luxury Ayurvedic wellness retreat
BOSCO M.
The Sen Wellness Sanctuary is a beautiful place, energized by 2 places of water nearby, a wild and magnificent beach and a quiet and peaceful lagoon on the other side.
The staff of the hotel is wonderful, they make you feel welcomed from the moment you put your foot on the ground when they ask to leave your shoes at the entrance of the Sanctuary and you do not need it anymore for the rest of the stay inside the hotel.
The women doing the massages are without any doubt the best part of the staff in this place, the doctors are very nice also but they might be slightly unexperienced at times.
Antonio the manager is friendly although sometimes a bit inefficient.
The rooms are cozy and comfortable and the food is very good.
Sam the owner of the place knows a lot about his work and practices although I find he runs the place with a focus on making business, which in a way makes sense but sometimes made me feel uncomfortable. For example if you want an appointment with him, or even a short talk, you will be charged extra even though you have already paid a lot of money to stay there.
Still I would go back as the place is wonderful.
Ariela K.
This is an INCREDIBLE wellness center focused on Ayurvedic healing modalities. I felt so taken care of and the quality of services was amazing. The food was excellent and the rooms are gorgeous! I can’t wait to come back!
Michaela H.
It has been our third time at Sen Wellness and it does feel like coming home. It’s simply in every respect beautiful and we can’t wait to go back next year. We normally send between 10-14 days at it’s our detox in every respect. Thank you to make our stay always so special 💕
Takield A.
I had an incredible stay at Sen Wellness Sanctuary. The atmosphere was truly relaxing, the location peaceful and beautiful—it felt like a retreat for both the body and mind. The food was absolutely delicious—nourishing, wholesome, and perfectly suited to the wellness experience.

The traditional treatments were excellent, offering a deep sense of rejuvenation. But what truly made my stay unforgettable was the people. From Tharu, the kind and reliable driver, to the wonderful wellness managers, Candice and Tania, and the inspiring yoga teacher, Kamila—every member of the team contributed to a warm and welcoming experience. Their care and dedication made all the difference.

Just a few constructive comments—it would be great to have new lily pads and bolster cushions, as the current ones were not in the best condition. Also, more yoga blocks would be helpful, as there weren’t always enough for everyone.

Overall, I had an amazing time, and if you’re looking for a place to unwind, heal, and be surrounded by positive energy, I highly recommend Sen Wellness Sanctuary!
Lauren M.
My stay at Sen was amazing. The location is amazing and peaceful and the food, staff and treatments were exceptional.
It was lovely to meet and connect with both the staff and the other guests to have a very memorable experience of pure relaxation and reset.
Annieck G.
Wow, what an amazing experience! 🌟

My yoga retreat truly exceeded all my expectations. The location was breathtaking, with beautiful beaches and a peaceful atmosphere that helped me truly relax. The yoga sessions were perfect for my body and mind, and I felt stronger and more relaxed every day.

Tania was incredibly kind. The staff was always lovely and helpful, which made the experience even more special. The doctors were very professional, the kitchen staff cooked delicious meals, and the massagers were top-notch! Everything contributed to an unforgettable experience.

It was truly a memorable experience, and I hope to come back someday. I love this place!
Mel D.
I had such a wonderful time at Sen Wellness Sanctuary. I spent a full week there, the perfect amount of time for a luxurious pamper filled break from the daily grind. The treatments were amazing and all tailored to your needs, all the staff were tentative and gracious, the food was delicious. The whole place is surrounded by nature, including the shala where yoga class and workshops were held - a truly magical setting. I would recommend this gorgeous retreat in a heart beat and I hope to return one day in the future.
Georgie B.
Incredible experience at Sen - everyone on the team was a delight and you are made to feel so welcome, as well as being taken such good care of. Delicious food, deeply relaxing treatments and a special sense of community from the likeminded people met there. The perfect place to unwind and reset - wish I was there longer! Thanks to everyone who made my stay so memorable ✌️
Isabella R.
5 stelle non bastano per valutare questo paradiso! Personale professionale e come tutto il popolo dello Sri Lanka, con un sorriso che ti accoglie e ti spiazza! La location è magica. Il cibo eccellente i trattamenti incredibili. Tutto è semplicemente PERFETTO. Grazie con tutto il cuore
Arno D.
Having spent 7 days and nights at Sen Wellness in the first week of December I can only call out the immense transformation that took place while I was there. Arriving after 21h of traveling being welcomed by a now dear friend and being taken into the group that was there for the winter retreat was made a huge positive impact. I was staying in the larger room on the ground floor near the swimming pool and it was just wonderful. Fresh drinking water being replenished every day and the room kept super clean I could not have wished for more. Within the main building the activity takes place under the guiding coordination of Candice supporting the local staff. The daily treatments were of a super high standard and after a medical check at arrival you are let loose in the amazing world of Sen Wellness. Big shoutout goes to the kitchen and the serving crew for cooking and serving us amazing meals three times per day, you can taste the love they have put in. The 6am yoga sessions are a delight under the guidance of Sunshine Sam and especially the sessions on the beach in front of the sanctuary are spectacular.

The evening meditation and gong sessions are wonderful. I enjoyed massively the cacao session but all the others are amazing too. The 1 to 1 conversation with the monk gave me amazing insights on how to bring back the healthy routine in my daily life. Final shoutout goes to the doctors, the treatment staff, the housekeeping, the driver and the general management staff for making my stay at Sen unforgettable. For those considering to go, even solo, please have this place highly recommended.

One final remark for coffee lovers; since it is a no meat, no wheat no caffeine experience I do recommend taking the coffee at the stop on the way from the airport, the driver will point it out, as the dreaming of coffee conversations during the retreat are wholesome and somehow funny as well.
Marvin L.
We had a wonderful time at Sen Wellness. We did a 3 day retreat and wished we could have stayed a full week.
The staff is amazing, everyone is super friendly and has a smile on their face whenever you see them. The whole vibe of this beautiful place feels just health - the food is amazing, the doctors care and the treatments bring you to a deep relaxation very fast.
We loved the chats with likeminded guests as well as the yoga & meditations, the daily rituals and the nature around. We will definitely try to come back, then for a longer time!
nia J.
Absolutely life changing experience, amazing doctors, yoga teachers, the staff and food were perfect. And the beach is the best beach I have ever seen with turtle nesting on the shore! So perfect I would really recommend.
Georgie H.
This was our second retreat in Sri lanka and it did not disappoint. Beautiful setting beside one of the most stunning parts of the beach, whilst also lagoon facing, it instantly makes you feel peaceful. The Ayurvedic treatments are great, food delicious and yoga / mediation twice daily was a great daily practice. We really loved our stay and hope to come back!
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