Uttarabasthi ( Efficacy of uttarabasthi in Female Infertility)

Only a healthy woman can bear a healthy child. The reproductive health of the mother is very essential to determine the health of the progeny. Starting from early onset of menarche, irregular menstrual cycles, hormonal imbalances, PCOS/PCOD, obesity, hormonal imbalances, thyroid dysfunction are some of the diseases which affects females that can directly or indirectly cause female infertility. Lifestyle changes, food habits, lack of exercises etc. contribute majorly   towards the menstrual disorders which reduces the fertility of women.

Ayurveda emphasis on the health of the women from her menarche itself as she is the root cause for a healthy population.

According to Ayurveda, the four factors for conception are:

       -Ritu – appropriate time for conception
       -Kshethra – reproductive organs of mother
       -Ambu – nutritional factors for proper nourishment of the fetus
       -Beeja – a healthy sperm and ovum

All the four factors are equally important to conceive and maintain pregnancy. Disorders to any one of these factors can cause infertility. Uttarabasthi is a treatment which improves the kshethra and beeja factors of mother.

Concept of uttarabasthi

The medicated enema which is given through urethral or genital orifices is called as uttarabasthi. The word “Uttara” also means “superior” i.e., the treatment which has superior status among the other vasthi. This is due to the miraculous effect of this treatment. It also means vasthi given through orifices upper the anus.

Procedure

A woman, who is anxious to conceive, having complete faith in the treatment must undergo the panchakarma first. After proper cleansing of the body, the medicated oil or kashayam (kwath) is given through vagina in certain amount after completion of the cycle. This medicated liquid is retained in the uterus until it is passed out by itself.

Mode of action

Ayurveda is based on tridosha theory. Vata dosha, primarily located in the pelvic region, when gets vitiated causes the reproductive disorders. Along with vata dosha, pitta and kapha also play an important role in causing disorders. Uttara basthi has property which reduces the aggravated vata dosha due to the snigdha (oily nature) nature of the medicine. The sookshma (minuteness) nature of the medicine penetrates into every corner of the uterine cavity. When the medicine is given in lukewarm, it increases the blood circulation to the uterus, cervical canal, vaginal and associated structures. It improves the quality of endometrium and cervical mucus. It enhances the condition of uterine cavity thus preparing it to implantation of the zygote.

Tubal blockage

Uttarabasthi has effectively managed the tubal blockage. Blocked fallopian tubes are one of the possible causes of female infertility. The fallopian tube can get blocked by factors such as endometriosis, myoma, scar tissues and other pelvic adhesions. Fallopian tubes are very important because the ovum expelled from the ovary travels through the tube to get fertilized with the sperm. Either one or both tubes can get blocked. If only one tube is blocked the ovum can travel to the uterine cavity once in two months only. If both are blocked the ovum has no chance to reach to the uterus. Tubal blockage can also increase the chance of ectopic pregnancy.

By administering uttarabasthi, the scraping and minuteness property of the drug helps to reduce the size of the growths and removes the adhesions. The oil gets penetrated to the tubes making the passage clear for the ovum to reach the cavity.

Conclusion

Uttarabasthi must be preceded by poorvakarma procedures like Pizhichil (Hot oil bath), Abhyanga (body massage), udwarthana (powder massages), potali (elakizhi,podikizhi, njavarakizhi etc), panchakarma procedures. Physician will decide the treatments according to the underlying cause of infertility. Uttarabasthi should be done preferably after the cycles, when the woman is most fertile, during ovulation etc. so that all the orifices are open to receive the medicines. Internal medicines are also given simultaneously that improves the quality of ovum and other reproductive organs.