Improve fertility with yoga: a natural approach
Infertility: stress, pollution & modern lifestyles as major contributors
Infertility has been a major medical and social issue since the dawn of humanity.
Until recently females received most of the blame for infertility. It was only during the last 15-20 years that we assisted in a dramatic increase in our knowledge of male infertility. [1]
Today we know that women are not always the cause of difficulties in convincing. Generally talking, four out of five women of childbearing age get pregnant within one year of trying to conceive. If after a year or two no pregnancy results, it is important that both the male and female partner are evaluated for infertility. [2] 
In fact, the University of Copenhagen discovered a significant decline in seminal quality in men between 1938 and 1991. [3]
Today, infertility is a common clinical problem affecting 5% to 30% of couples worldwide, with higher rates in developing countries. [4]
Why it happened? Are our men less vigorous than our grand parents?
The reality is that in the past century our lifestyles and environment dramatically changed.
Many factors are responsible for infertility:
To understand more about the role of endocannabinoids & sperm, check out our article: “Endocannabinoids: co-creators of life? Their role from conception to breast-feeding.”
It seems intuitively that the major changes in our lifestyles, diets, activity levels and environment over recent decades have impacted negatively fertility in adulthood, as we have described here.
Is our modern society a cause of our infertility? Probably yes, and that is where CAM techniques come into play.
The role of CAMs techniques: is yoga a valid alternative?
Today, many couples turned to Complementary Alternative Medicine (CAM) in an attempt to become pregnant, (see our previous article “An holisitic approach to infertility”)
This happened because of the high costs of Assisted Reproductive Technologies, the risks of drugs prescribed to induce ovulation, and the concerns about surgically correct anatomical problems in men, women or both.
CAMs are generally perceived by these couples as being lower cost, safer, or more effective. [5]
Today, what may be considered CAM in one Country may be part of the traditional health system in another.
Yoga is considered a CAM therapy in the United States but it has been part of the Indian health system for more than 7000 years.
Various ayurvedic medicines, along with regular yoga practice are proven to be effective to enhance the reproductive health in men and women.
What a regular yoga practice is most likely to do, is to reduce stress and anxiety levels by triggering neurohormonal mechanisms. Since less stress can improve sex-life and helps to treat mild erectile dysfunction, yoga will lead to an overall health improvement of reproductive organs on both males and females. [8]
Fertility and yoga
Yoga is a scientific system of altering the brain and body chemistry to support a heightened state of sensitivity and clarity. Yoga is about balance.
Close up of woman practicing mudra meditation
Infertility is one of the worst challenges a couple can face. Extreme psychological and emotional problems, stress, anxiety and depression can also prevent a couple from conceiving.
These issues affect hormonal balance making it very difficult to achieve a relaxed state of mind.
Some yoga practices like specific postures, mantras and breathing techniques can help promoting fertility.
These exercises enhance fertility by stimulating hormone levels and improving blood and nutrients supply to reproductive organs like ovaries, fallopian tubes, uterus, testes and prostate. [9]
HOW YOGA HELPS TO INCREASE FERTILITY |
Yoga helps to fight all the emotional and psychological traumas and imbalances by proving a calm and peaceful state of health, which ultimately boosts well functioning of your reproductive system. In fact, a quiet and stable mind and body promote fertility. |
There are certain yoga asanas that especially target the reproductive organs and the pelvic area. These asanas increase blood circulation and stimulate the energy in these regions. |
A yoga practice generally brings about positive sensations in people with infertility like feeling better, stronger, more powerful and more confident about their body. |
Yoga, acting on a physical and mental level, generally makes people more concern about their lives. In fact, many people are motivated to improve their diets and lifestyle after regular yoga practice. |
Health Benefits of Yoga For Men |
One of the main problems for men is low sperm count. This condition is quite often related to high stress levels. When men suffer from continuous stress, cortisol is released into the blood stream. This causes low sperm count and low sperm motility and leads to low fertility. Regular yoga practice helps to release stress and most importantly yoga can help regain sexual stamina. |
Health Benefits of Yoga For Women |
Many women are not aware of the health benefits of yoga to increase fertility and improve their chances of getting pregnant. Yoga can assist women with infertility to release stress and re-gain a sense of wholeness and inner peace. Many women notice a more regular menstrual cycle and an easier period with constant yoga practice. Better sleep and better relationship with their partner is an added bonus of yoga practice. |
When you align with nature, good things happen!
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References:
[1] LECTOR, C. (1996). Oxidative stress and role of antioxidants in normal and abnormal sperm function. Frontiers in Bioscience, 1, e78-86.
[2] McCall, T. (2007). Yoga as medicine. New York, NY: Bantam Dell.
[3] Carlsen, E., Giwercman, A., Keiding, N., & Skakkebæk, N. E. (1992). Evidence for decreasing quality of semen during past 50 years. Bmj, 305(6854), 609-613.
[4] Hu, M., Zhang, Y., Ma, H., Ng, E. H., & Wu, X. K. (2013, July). Eastern medicine approaches to male infertility. In Seminars in reproductive medicine (Vol. 31, No. 4, pp. 301-310). Thieme Medical Publishers.
[5] Sengupta, P. (2012). Challenge of infertility: How protective the yoga therapy is?. Ancient science of life, 32(1), 61.
[6] Giaccio, L., Cicchella, D., De Vivo, B., Lombardi, G., & De Rosa, M. (2012). Does heavy metals pollution affects semen quality in men? A case of study in the metropolitan area of Naples (Italy). Journal of Geochemical Exploration, 112, 218-225.
[7] Mitchell, M., Armstrong, D. T., Robker, R. L., & Norman, R. J. (2005). Adipokines: implications for female fertility and obesity. Reproduction, 130(5), 583-597.
[8] Sengupta, P., Chaudhuri, P., & Bhattacharya, K. (2013). Male reproductive health and yoga. International journal of yoga, 6(2), 87.
[9] Gaware, V. M., Dolas, R. T., Kotade, K.B. , Dhamak, K.B., Somwanshi, S.B. , Khadse, A. N. , & Nikam, V. K. PROMOTION AND IMPROVEMENT OF FERTILITY BY YOGA.
