Diagnosing Infertility and Some Remedies in Treatment

Dr. Nikunj Trivedi gives a brief discussion of diagnostics in infertility and some remedies in treatment

Infertility is defined as failure by a couple to conceive after one year of unprotected intercourse. Vital statistics have shown 40% of infertility cases having an abnormality of male factors, which are important in spermatogenesis.

Spermatogenesis

u     Requires 72 to 74 days for germ-cell maturation i.e. Spermatogonia to spermatozoa

u     Most efficient genesis at 34 centigrade (93.2 Fahrenheit)

u     Within the somniferous tubules, cells of sertolli sustain and regulate the sperm maturation.

u     Leydig’s cells produce Testosterone

u     Fructose secreted by seminal vesicles shows patency of ejaculatory ducts.

Causes of Azospermia

u  Obstruction i.e. Varicocele

u  Congenital absence of Vas Deference

u  Primary Testicular Disorder

Obstruction

Varicocele

Definition: A cystic accumulation of blood in the spermatic cord. It is a most common anatomical abnormality of the veins, especially Pampiniform plexus. Varicocele is mostly found as left sided where the spermatic vein empties in the left renal vein. In short, variocele causes insufficient drainage of the blood from the testes that causes excessive pooling of the blood resulting in higher intra-scrotal temperature.

Ejaculation

Very rarely retrograde ejaculations occur into the urinary bladder in cases of:

u  Diabetes mellitus

u  Hodgkin’s disease (prior to retro peritoneal dissection)

u  Prostectomy

u  Neurological dysfunction

How do you diagnose?

Semen Analysis:

u  Abstinence of 3 to 4 days is very essential.

u  Usually 2-3-4 ejaculates should be examined.

u  Semen should be obtained by masturbation in a clean sterile glass jar from the lab.

u  Patients having difficulty in getting samples by masturbation should use Silastic Condoms – which is free of lubricant and chemical toxins.

u  Liquefaction should be at room temperature within 20-30 minutes.

The following parameters should be observed carefully:

Volume (ejaculate) 2-6 ml
Viscosity within one hour, liquefaction should take place
Appearance Gross and Microscopic
Gross: Opaque or cream coloured

Microscopic:

a)         1 to 3 WBC / HPF
b)        ph of 7 to 8 (alkaline)
c)         Motility (at 1-3 hours) more then 50%
d )         Sperm count.  More then 20 million / ml
e)         Linear sperm velocity. Clinical correlation of velocity is Unclear.

Morphology Evaluation of Sperm Structure:

Vital Statistics:

u  Male Sperm Factors: 40%

u  Ovulatory Dysfunction: 20%.

u  Cervical Factors: 05%

u  Abnormal Tube Function: 30%.

u  Un-Identified Factors: 05%

Intrinsic Factors:
Be careful in taking history.

u  Mumps

u  Orchitis

u  Cryptorchism – One or both of the testes fail to descend from the abdomen into the scrotum.

u  Testicular injury

Extrinsic Factors:

u  Exposure to Industrial or Environment Toxins

u  Excessive Heat Exposure.

u  Acute illness

u  Prolonged Fever

u  Recreational drug use

u  Alcohol intake

Drugs:
1) Anabolic Steroids
2) Exposure to Diethylstilbestrol

Inadequate length of abstinence prior to analysis

Physical evaluation is equally important.

Anatomical Abnormalities

u           Decreased Testicular Volume

u           Prostatitis

u           Hypospadias

u           Varicocele

Male-Infertility Factors:

u           Genetic

u           Neuro-Endocrines

u           Testicular

u           Urogenital

After understanding the above stated causes, you can apply the knowledge of Homeopathy to the disease condition of the patients.

Role of Homeopathy in Infertility:

Homeopathy has entirely different in approach from conventional medicine. It is based upon the Law of Similars, which states that a substance that can produce, in a healthy person, symptoms similar to the patient’s, will cure those symptoms in the patient. In every case, the Homeopath looks at everything that is going on in the patient’s life based upon a “totality of symptoms”. Homeopathy addresses etiology as well as all aspects of the patient, including inherited tendencies and emotional disposition.

Some Remedies for Male Infertility:

Homoeopathic Nux Vomica has proved excellent in Oligospermia.

a)    I administer Nux Vomica to patients whose history included bad-effects of coffee, tobacco, alcoholic stimulants, highly spiced or seasoned food, over-eating, long continued mental over-exertion, sedentary habits, loss of sleep.

b)   According to Boericke:  Very Irritable, sensitive to all impression, ugly malicious, cannot bear noises, odours, light etc.

c)    According to Nash: For very particular careful, zealous persons, inclined to get excited and angry or of a spiteful, malicious disposition.

All the great Homeopaths have clearly drawn the picture of azospermic and oligospermic patients in their observations and the medicines are as follows.
1)      Agnus Castus:   By relieving mental depression, it corrects the desire and improves the functional impotence.

2)      Anacardium Orientalis:   Dual personality – Lacking self confidence with severe depression associated with impaired memory.

3)      Argentum Nitricum:  Very Apprehensive – from the first night of marriage, fearful and nervous, leading to pre mature ejaculations. Erection fails when coition attempted.

4)      Caladium:  Excellent for smokers and tobacco chewers. Increases the sperm count rapidly, in smokers.

5)      Conium Mac:  Testicular injury Hydrocele, Varicocele, orchitis, effects of suppressed sexual appetite.

6)      Dioscorea:  Suits very well to tea drinkers.

7)      Phosphoric Acid:  Gives excellent results in Oligoasthenospermia. Increases the acrosomal activity of the sperm (motility).

8)      Titanium:   Too early ejaculation.

9)      Tribulus Terrestris:   A very good medicine for patients in their mid 40’s having partial impotence caused by overindulgence.

10)    Lycopodium:    It has proved its great value in sexual dysfunction (acquired and situational). Very effective in premature ejaculation.

11)    Tinospora Cardifolla:  Proved its great value in anti-sperm antibody positive cases (2X).

12)    Orchitinumm:       Azoospermia

13)    Manigifera:           Varicocele

14)    Potas Xanthae:      Impotence

This was the quick tour of male-infertility therapeutics.  Above all, the well selected constitutional remedy is the best answer to cases of infertility.

This article was originally published on hpathy.com

Nikunj Trivedi PG-Hom

Dr. Nikunj Trivedi began his career as a medically qualified homeopath, ranked first in University and has been practicing homeopathy since 1980 in India and from 2004 in UK. He is currently based in Leicester-UK, from where he runs his very busy clinical practice with his wife – Dr. Amita.

He has been involved in treating Infertility and Chronic cases with his wide experience of modern medical investigations, combining with Homeopathic totality to prove the effectiveness to restore the abnormal pathology to normal physiology.

In his career of 42 years, he has treated a wide spectrum of patients from all over the world and given numerous lectures at various institutes. In addition to this, Nikunj`s articles are regularly published in various Homeopathy journals. Nikunj specializes in treating fertility problems and chronic diseases and has authored four books on the subject.

Nikunj holds a lifetime membership of the Homeopathic Medical Association of India (HMAI) and GHMA-India. He joined the UK Homeopathic Medical Association (HMA) in 2004 and has since then been actively involved and currently serving as a HMA Chairman.

His aim of promoting and raising awareness about Homeopathy are in parallel with the HMA’s aims.

Nikunj has held several charity clinics and regularly participates in the Homeopathic Awareness Week.

He also runs free sitting in clinics and clinical training sessions for students and homeopaths.