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.

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

Maintain good hygiene habits so as not to obtain any infections or viruses.
Eat a good variety of organic, wholesome food made fresh to nourish your cells and help build healthy reproductive tissues.
Be mindful of your digestion and avoid too much caffeine, alcohol and overconsumption of unhealthy foods.
Choose joyful and happy life experiences to manage stress levels.
Encourage the healthy development of the body’s tissues, including the reproductive organs, also known in Sanskrit as Shukra Dhatu in Ayurvedic medicine.
Get good amounts of sleep!
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.

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Sen Wellness Sanctuary

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Janine van der M.

Situated between two bodies of water, a tranquil lagoon on the one side, and the powerful Indian ocean on the other, Sen Wellness Sanctuary is an oasis of tranquility, a place to slow down and connect with nature and yourself. I spent three weeks in this beautiful hideaway and thoroughly enjoyed my stay, including morning and evening meditation and breath work, daily yoga practice, personalised ayurvedic treatments and delicious, freshly prepared meals. I am immensely grateful to the friendly, dedicated and highly professional staff as well as all the beautiful people I was fortunate enough to meet during my time at the retreat. Deep nourishment of body, mind and spirit and a truly unforgettable experience.

Hima A.

Spent 7 days in this beautiful Sanctuary, and highly recommend. Dr Udari is incredible and the treatments truly made a difference. All the staff are so helpful, kind and responsive, from the manager Antonio, Francis and Tseyang and the therapists SenWellness is a true Ayurvedic retreat.

Eugene P.

One of the best vacations I ever had.I’ve been just meditating, doing yoga, breathwork and Ayurvedic treatments without touching my phone for a week.The sanctuary is a collection of very well thought out spaces: huts, main lounge, yoga room, pool, beach…Beach is in the natural preserve, where sea turtles come to lay eggs. No one around. Don’t swim in the ocean though, undercurrents are very dangerous here.The vibe is amazing, staff and service are superb and second to none.Definitely going to come back again.

pia

What a wonderful discovery! The retreat was so much more than we expected - on so many levels. Great yoga, excellent ayurvedic therapy and treatments, really good food - and amazing company. What a wealth of experiences we have taken home with us. Sam and his team were very kind and attentive and the other participants were all so special and warm hearted. We recommend this sanctuary to anyone who wants to enrich their lives and move forward.

cindy F.

A uniquely magical experience. From the moment you leave your shoes by the lotus pool to receive the warm welcome of a garland and king coconut, a sense of kindness and care envelops you.This is heartfelt. Every dish you eat is prepared with a knowledge of what will nourish your body and soul. Every treatment is administered by skilled practitioners who have taken the trouble to understand your individual physical and emotional state and to restore balance and harmony from the inside out.The sounds of this stunning enclave, hidden away down a winding track where peacocks strut and monkeys gambol, are those that evoke both stillness and awe. The sea declares its majesty and power on a peerless beach that nesting turtles call home. The constant and gentle swish of the lagoon and rustle of the trees that bound this space in natural seclusion, soothe and transport you to a deep place of calm.This is one of nature’s sacred spaces.Respect and honour for this is the ethos that guides life in this beautiful oasis which shines from the hearts of the remarkable team. Skilled in so many arts from Ayurvedic medicine and therapy, yoga, reiki, sound healing and, with simplicity and grace, a level of hospitality and care that is humbling.The mishap or the unusual request is met with unruffled efficiency. (My glasses broke and instead of facing a week in a blur and the prospect of navigating an airport when scarcely able to read a sign, an impeccably restored pair of spectacles was returned to me in the shortest possible time - leaving me to wonder if an optician had been spirited out of a ring or a lamp!)My experience at Sen Wellness will be an abiding memory. I will carry away in my heart the echo of the sea, the voices and faces of beautiful people who made such a soulful sojourn possible with huge gratitude to everyone of them for all the skill, knowledge, compassion and care that were the key ingredients of this delightful interlude.(And on the subject of ingredients, I will also carry away the tantalising Sen Wellness cookbook, so the adventure continues…)

Sarah S.

Sen Wellness Centre is a truly magical place. I came here in need of healing and I found it. The staff are incredible. The treatments are incredible. The food is incredible. The rooms are incredible.

Chithrananda De A.

Me and my wife spent three nights at the Sen Welness sanctuaryWell managed place , both Ayurvedic doctors and therapists are excellentExcellent food and service by all teams who involvedExcellent hospitality and great support by the manager TonyBoth yoga teachers Sandya and Anna are excellent , we both enjoyed all sessions from beginning until end.We both enjoyed though out our stay,Food , yoga , excellent Ayurvedic treatment (best compare to what we had in the past in many other places and countries ) We will come backSarah and Chithrananda De Alwis

Nerea C.

Arrive to the Sen Wellness Sanctuary is like to get into a piece of heaven. It’s much more than a place to relax, it’s a truly and deep journey. It awakes your feelings, heals your emotions and takes care of you nourishing from the amazing treatments to the delicious food.Surrounded by the purest nature, you will find calm and joy in this place. The yoga classes and the meditations were such an experience, all the activities were part of the learning and all the staff is the best you can imagine: kind, warm and with such a good energy.Sometimes you have to slap yourself to check that you are not dreaming. It’s such a magical place that you won’t leave never. It’s just possible to be grateful and hope to come back again.

abrar “Abrar” M.

Had the pleasure spending 10 days golden summer retreat , i cam all the way from Saudi arabia with open heart , However, the experience exceed my expectation.The resort well decorated full with love , peace and care .Antonio with his hospitality and his smile takes the experience to another level.Sam and Frances no word can describe the love and passion they have 🦋.The treatment team and the Doctor gave us all the attention and treatment team was amazing.Many thanks for all people who work at the kitchen and especially for the chef the food was delicious and healthyThank you Sam for this beautiful place and community.Definitely i will come back again and again to recharge my self and soul with love and peace 💓🦋

Adel H.

Had the pleasure spending two weeks at Sen Wellness. My wife and I had the best of time there with all starting from Sam, Frances, Antonio and the whole team. The treatment team the doctors gave us all the attention and treatment team were great. Rasanga was extra fantastic. Will come back again.

Angmo A.

I visited last year December in the end of my second trimester and it was probably the best decision I took . The retreat and personalised treatments were exactly what my body needed after working non stop through the year.The staff was very professional and the therapists were knowledgeable and prolly the best Iv experienced in my extensive travels across the world. The food was nutritious and flavoursome. The space was like a sanctuary for us like minded souls who had all gathered there to heal our bodies and minds.The rooms were beautifully and very thoughtfully done up. We absolutely loved our little cabana and loved walking on the private stretch of beach every day. All in all everything was top notch and we hope to be able to return someday again. Special mention to Dr Sam and Sudheera for arranging everything so seamlessly .

Sifra S.

I stayed at Sen for a 10 day signature retreat at the end of April/beginning of May and it was an absolutely life changing experience for me. If you are contemplating this and if you are able to go, I would definitely highly recommend just booking and going for it! It's the best gift you can give yourself.I set the expectations bar quite low since I was in deep grief after losing my partner 2 years earlier. I was heartbroken, traumatised, depressed and just completely worn out and in dire need of a shift. I booked this trip as some sort of last resort and was hoping to come away with at least some more energy.And boy, did it deliver. The location, the place itself, all members of the staff, and the immersion in nature are simply amazing. The treatments are great, the food is awesome and the vibe is oh so relaxed. The communal table was filled with laughter and lovely chatter at each delicious meal. The attention to detail and just the care of everyone working at Sen is truly amazing and very healing.You feel carried while you are there, not having to worry about what you'll prepare for dinner or booking a treatment, everything is arranged for you. You just have to decide what you'll wear to yoga and then you simply show up to yourself and to nature.I felt very much at ease being there on my own. Everyone lets each other be so if you want to spend time alone you absolutely can, but you can always join others at the pool or for an excursion if you feel like it. It never felt off or weird, it al just flowed naturally for everyone who was there.After a few days I started feeling a shift and really properly started feeling relaxed and at ease for the first time in ages. The excellent massages, my wonderful cabana room, the food, watching turtles hatching on the beach, the care of the doctors, resort manager and waiting staff, it was all heart warming and oh so powerful.When you are there everything is taken care of for you but thankfully I left with many tools on how to take things forward. Being able to sample various yoga and meditation styles and rituals gave me the bearings to integrate this more in my busy day to day Western life. I left with a new mindset, wonderful memories and more energy than I had in years. I'm now, two months later, still committed to following the Ayurvedic lifestyle guidelines as I feel a lot more relaxed, energetic and at ease in general.Thank you, Sen! I'm looking forward to coming back sometime soon to freshen up and rebalance again.Sifra

Rebecca T.

An experience that changed me forever!I can't even begin to thank Sen Wellness enough. I came to this retreat with the will to change, and it is here that I learned to inhale what's good for me, exhale all the toxins and past traumas, and let my body breathe and be free. Living in a nature reserve helped me reconnect with nature and overcome my fear of animals and insects. In this place, I found the link between my body and mind and reconnected on all levels.The treatments and medicines definitely aided in the healing process, and the food was nourishing for both the body and soul. The staff were phenomenal, and I can't thank them enough. Special thanks to Francis, who listened and took care of every detail, Irina, who made me fall in love with yoga, and all the professional therapists, especially Tini, whose smile brightened my day and whose positive energy boosted me into becoming a happier person.So much love for this place.Rebecca

Ute K.

My recent stay at the Sen Wellness Sanctuary in Sri Lanka was an extraordinary experience that exceeded all my expectations. From the moment I arrived, I was welcomed with warm smiles and exceptional service by the friendly staff, who went above and beyond to make my stay comfortable and memorable.The Sanctuary is nestled in a beautiful natural setting, with lush greenery and a stunning beach just a stone's throw away. Each morning, I woke up to the soothing sounds of nature, feeling completely rejuvenated and at peace.The cuisine at Sen Wellness Sanctuary was a highlight of my stay. The delicious local dishes, prepared with fresh, organic ingredients, were a true delight for the senses. Every meal was a culinary adventure, showcasing the rich flavors of Sri Lankan cuisine.The personalized Ayurveda treatments were simply outstanding. The expert practitioners took the time to understand my individual needs and tailored the treatments to promote healing and wellness. The therapies were not only incredibly relaxing but also highly effective, leaving me feeling revitalized and balanced.Adding to the holistic experience were the blissful meditation sessions and professional yoga classes. The meditation sessions provided a deep sense of tranquility, helping me to connect with my inner self and achieve a state of complete relaxation. The yoga sessions, led by a highly skilled instructor, were both invigorating and restorative, accommodating all levels of experience and enhancing my overall well-being.Overall, my time at Sen Wellness Sanctuary was a perfect blend of relaxation, natural beauty, and holistic healing. I highly recommend this sanctuary to anyone seeking a transformative and blissful retreat in Sri Lanka. I can't wait to return!

Marylyn W.

I visited Sen Wellness for the spring awakening retreat in early April this year.The retreat was very rejuvenating and I got to meet amazing women who had joined the retreat.It is my second time to visit the Sanctuary and I can't begin to explain how peaceful, rejuvenating the surroundings are.The diet follows Ayurvedic principles, mainly vegan, and vegetarian lots of herbs and indigenous vegetables. Good for the digestive system. You can immediately feel the difference.The spa treatments are very good too, I specially enjoyed the herbal steam bath.A very special thank you for the manager Sanath. He was very quick to solve any problems issues that arose and always followed up to ensure that the guests were satisfied and happy.The staff in general are extremely polite, attentive and very kind. As a solo traveller, this Sanctuary will make you feel at home.Hope to be back soon.!