Stri Vandhyatwa (Barrenness in Women)

Dr. Dhannapuneni Vinaya Kumari wlo Dr. Parimi Suresh is born in Karim Nagar, Andhra Pradesh. Graduated from Sri Ananta Lakshmi Govt. Ayurvedic Medical College, Warangal. Post Graduated from BHU under great stalwart in the field of Prasuti & Stree Roga Prof. P. V. Tewariji and received Doctorate in Prasuti in 1999.

Served Tribhuvan University in the capacity of Lecturer, Ayurved campus, Kathmandu, Nepal on WHO Fellowship. Also served BHU in the capacity of Senior resident.

Near about 20 papers were published in various journals. Presently working as i/c Head, Department of Prasuti & Stree Roga, A & U Tibbia College, New Delhi.

Dr. Parimi Suresh s/o Sri Parimi Durga Prasada Rao is born in Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh. Graduated from Dr. N.R.S. Govt. Ayurvedic Medical College, Vijayawada. Selected in 1st attempt in both reputed universities of Ayurveda and completed Post Graduation in Rasa Shastra in the year 1985 from BHU. In 1990 received Doctorate from BHU; He has been awarded with NAGARJUNA silver medal for his M.D. [AY] thesis work.

Served BHU in the capacity of Demonstrator and TRIBHUVAN UNIVERSITY in the capacity of Lecturer, Ayurved Campus, Kathmandu, Nepal on WHO fellowship. Held high positions in both modern and classical pharmacies.

Translated “Vaidyak Paribasha Pradeep into English and Published more than 25 papers in various journals. Presently working as Assistant Professor, Department of Rasa Shastra and Bhaishajya Kalpana, National Institute of Ayurveda Jaipur.

Increasing incidence of infertility world over has necessitated the invention of newer approaches to find its causes, method of diagnosis and treatment. On one hand population explosion in developing and underdeveloped countries is negating all the efforts of these countries to advance their pace of progress, on the other the childless couples run frantically from medical, surgical and spiritual authorities to voodooism, witchcraft and jugglery to find solace.

To find once own replica i.e. ‘Putra’ is an ‘esana’ i.e. intrinsic desire, and to accomplish this the efforts have been made from time immemorial. Thus, it is but natural to find relevant references in earliest available literature i.e. Vedas. Krimies entering the uterus, curses of goddess Vasa, diseases or abnormalities of yoni, negligence in oblations or rituals, disruption in the flow of retas, abnormalities of retas and seizure of woman by Niriti vaginal pain and discharges etc. are referred as causes.

In ayurvedic classics, though word Vandhyatva has not appeared untill Hãrita samhitã, probably due to the fact that it is an important symptom not a disease, yet condition is described in detail. Besides age, health, coital postures etc., abnormalities of factors essential for conception, yoni, Artava, gukra, injury to uterus are also referred as causes’. Various abnormalities of uterus, abnormalities of vãyu, and also of other dosas, rakta, deva, graha, abhicãra, destruction of seed by krimis, deficiency and other abnormalities of retas/semen, etc. are held responsible Amongst all these the psychology of couple is considered of utmost important.

The classification seen in various books shows the multiplicity of causes, including undetectable ones as well as the keenness of ancient sages to understand the diseases. Due to high social importance to get a male child even the woman delivering only females is called ‘vandhy’besides repeated abortions and still births are included under classification, Due to importance of Vandhyatwa for getting a child even the book ‘Bãla Tantran has dealt with this.

Certain methods to diagnose infertility i.e. stream of urine5, froth in urine and placing the semen over water, or urination over mudga or over wheat or barley etc. were adapted.

Besides magico religeous treatment of vedic literature. other upaniads, dharmasütras, gihya sütra, brãhmana granthas, smrties, and Nãvanitaka etc. have mentioned one or the other method of treatment. In ãyurvedic classics all the three methods of treatments i.e. daivavyãpãsraya, yuktivyãpãsraya and satvãvajaya are indicated to be used for treating male or /and female.

The book ‘Stri Vandhyatwa’ written by duos expert of two most important fields i.e. Striroga and Rasassssästra is an unique example, and both of them with their vast experience, determination and conscientious desire to serve goddess Saraswati have brought this book, which I am sure will be beneficial to teachers and tought alike.

I wish that this couple goes on serving ãyurveda as well as goddess Saraswati in their future life.

In this materialistic world the love, strength, happiness, growth of family tree, fame etc are bestowed on children.

Infertility is a relatively common problem that affects 10% to 15% of the reproductive age range population. Each ovulatory cycle in a normal couple, without a fertility problem results in a 20% to 25% chance of conception. In couples with regular, unprotected intercourse, 57% conceive in three months, 72% in six months, 85% in one year, and 93% in two years. However, postponement of pregnancy after marriage is one of the most significant change that has led to a decline of fertility. The other cause is the age of the female, an important factor, for if she has crossed 35 or is near to it then it is advisable to seek help at the earliest.

Other possible factors may contribute, include changing dietary and life styles of women, increasing use of Contraception / Sexual Differentiation, liberalized abortion, and concerns over environmental and unfavorable economic conditions. Add to these, the stress certainly complicates an infertility situation

It is not correct that the female partner is only responsible for infertility, male factors too account for up to 40 percent of infertility problems. Sources of infertility are generally be divided among male, female.

Ayurved has given due credence to coital positions. Vatsyayana’s kamasutra has mentioned a number of coital positions. On the other hand some organizations have designed the coital alignment techniques, whose credibility is under screening. The Coital Alignment Technique (CAT) is a sexual position “designed” to greatly improve a woman’s chance of orgasm with genital intercourse.

Fertility problems also carry with them significant emotional sequelae. This is fairly well recognized by those who work in this field and psychosocial distress can contribute significantly to the cause of some forms of infertility.

Until 1978, most of the effort in medicine in evaluating and treating women with infertility was placed in trying to identify and treat the underlying causes. In 1978, in vitro fertilization produced a paradigm shift. It led to a “skipping over” the causes and this continues up to the present time to be the foundational management approach.

Ayurveda has prescribed a number of safe reciepies. It also advised a specialized treatment i.e vajikaran for both the partners, desirous of children. So the couple without worrying, if approaches the physicians irrespective of systems for their cause, will certainly achieve success.

In the present book we tried to bring out the facts over the infertility, specifically the female infertility for the benefit of patients who are suffering from infertility and also to all those physicians and students of Indigenous system. We pray with folded hands to forgive, if any aspects were overlooked or misinterpreted. We are thankfully acknowledge and express our gratitude to all of them whose works have been either reproduced or utelised in this book.

Among the parenthood the Motherhood, since ancient times, has been considered as a boon and the barren women have been considered as a bane. A great importance was received by the women who had multiple pregnancies with live children. Though the trend has been changed now a days with respect to the number of children but the social stigma attached to barren women has not changed.

In India nearly 15-20 percent of couple are having problems of becoming parents and the problem in conceiving is rests in either of the couples and not the only women. One or two out of ten patients who approaches the doctor for want of children will have the genuine problem.

Though a lot of fertility clinics have come up to handle these cases but most of the patients are in a position to afford the costs. Generally speaking most of the couple experience this problem either of not having the knowledge and awareness of the physiology of fertilization or due to certain irregular practices in their diets and life styles.

This book has been written to all those infertile couple to read and understand the reasons for success and failure of fertility since it has included all basics of infertility from both the sciences.

This book also helps the leading practitioners and the students of under graduate and post graduate students as well.

The authors had made a successful attempt by covering all ancient and current literature and presenting in a scientific manner. The work of the authors, a need of the hour, is highly appreciable and commendable.