mpsychosocial implications, posesnjbms.in/uploads/19/7096_pdf.pdf · approach to cure male...

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1 2Abdul Kadhar , Milind V Bhutkar

INTRODUCTION :

ale infertility, with its clinical and

psychosocial implications, poses Ma significant challenge to the

physician and to the society as a whole.

According to the International Committee for

M o n i t o r i n g A s s i s t e d R e p r o d u c t i v e

Technology, World Health Organization

(WHO), infertility is a disease of reproductive

system defined by failure to achieve the

clinical pregnancy after 12 months or more of 1regular unprotected sexual intercourse. In

2-4humans, it accounts for 40–50% of infertility

and affects approximately 7% of all men.

Sexual dysfunction in men can be explained as

the failure to accomplish normal sexual

intercourse, inability to respond to erectile

stimuli or sustain an erection, retarded

ejaculation, decreased libido, altered sexual 5behavior. Males with sperm parameters

below the WHO normal values are considered 6to have male factor infertility. The most

significant of these are low sperm

concentration (oligospermia), poor sperm

motility, and abnormal sperm morphology.

ABSTRACT

Background:

Infertility and impaired sexual dysfunctions have been a concern through ages which

affects 15% of the couples globally and males are solely responsible for 20 to 30% of the

infertility cases. Modern treatment approaches to curb infertility are expensive and long

term treatment possesses various side effects. The causes of male infertility can range from

various factors including quantitative and qualitative decline of semen.

Material and Methods:

Use of herbal medicines has always fascinated physicians and researchers in combating

infertility. Various review articles and original articles related to this area of research were

referred. This review focuses on the Ayurvedic medicinal plants which boost male

reproductive health relating to some important scientifically proven herbs which have

been reported to enhance male infertility.

Medicinal Herbs in the Treatment of Male Infertility

A Review

DOI : https://dx.doi.org/10.31975/NJBMS.2019.10014

Corresponding Author:

Abdul Kadhar, Assistant Professor, Department of Physiology, Al-Azhar Medical College and Super Specialty Hospital,

Thodupuzha, Ezhalloor Road, Kumaramangalam, Idukki District, PIN 685608, Kerala, India email: [email protected]

Review Article

1Assistant Professor, Department of Physiology, Al-Azhar Medical College and Super Specialty Hospital,

Thodupuzha, Ezhalloor Road,, Idukki District, PIN 685608, Kerala, India2Dean and Professor, Department of physiology, Vinayaka Mission's Kirupananda Variyar Medical College

and Hospital, Vinayaka Mission's Research Foundation, Salem, Tamilnadu,India

National Journal of Basic Medical Sciences | Volume 10 | Issue 2 | 2019

61

Abdul Kadhar, et.al : Herbs in treatment of male infertility

Other factors less well associated with

infertility include semen volume and other

seminal markers of epididymal, prostatic, and 7

seminal vesicle function. As high as 90% of

male infertility problems are related to count

and there is a positive association between the

abnormal semen parameters and sperm 8count. Male infertility is commonly due to

deficiencies in the semen, and semen quality is

used as a substitute measure of male fertility.

Various synthetic products are available in the

global market with quick remedial claims. But

most of them are associated with suppressing 9symptoms and side effects. Thereby people

are keen in focusing back to herbal and

ayurvedic aphrodisiacs having the holistic

approach to cure male fertility problems.

Causes of male infertility :

It can range from hormonal or neuronal

imbalances, reproductive tissue disordering

to qualitative and quantitative deterioration of

semen. Oxidative stress induced by reactive

oxygen species is a causative factor in male 10-11infertility. Malnutrition and nutrient

deficiencies form another cause for infertility.

Some of behavioural aspects that cause

infertility are as follows Overheating

excessive heat from saunas, hot tubs, etc. may

decrease sperm production and lower sperm

count. Chain Smoking, smoking cigarettes

may impair male fertility since it is known to

reduce sperm count and sperm lifespan.

Drugs- the use of cocaine and heavy marijuana

(REF) is known to reduce sperm count by 12-1450%. Excessive alcohol consumption-

alcohol is toxic to sperm and may reduce

sperm count and quality. Environmental

toxins, radiation and heavy metals - a number

of environmental factors, such as exposure to

toxins or chemicals, can reduce sperm count

either by affecting testicular function directly 14or by affecting the hormone system. Over

weight or Obesity many studies found

association between low sperm count and

obesity in men. Stress and excessive physical

or mental exertion - these can cause some

hormonal changes in the body that can affect

sperm count and fertility.

Herbs in enhancing male fertility :

Medicinal plants, since times immemorial,

have been used in virtually all cultures as a

source of medicine. The traditional Indian

medicine with its evolution through centuries

has always fascinated practitioners and

researchers for its applications in treatment on

a scientifically proven research background.

Fertility regulation with plant preparations

has been reported in ancient literature of

indigenous systems of medicine. The herbal

drugs can be classified in varied ways, and one

such simplified classification according to

their functions on male reproductive health is 15.

as follows Herbs increasing the volume of

semen or stimulating semen production, for

example, Polygonatum verticillatum, Mucuna

pruriens, Microstylis wallichii, Roscoea

procera, and Asparagus racemosus. Herbs

cleansing and improving semen quality, for

example, Vetiveria zizanioides, Myrica

Sesamum indicum, and Anthocephalus

cadamba. Herbs revitalizing ejaculatory

functions, for example, Strychnos nux vomica,



62National Journal of Basic Medical Sciences | Volume 10 | Issue 2 | 2019

63

Myristica fragrans, Cannabis sativa, and

Cassia occidentalis. Herbs improving

sustenance and ejaculatory performance, for

example, Cinnamomum tamala, Anacyclus

pyrethrum, Sida cordifolia, Asparagus

racemosus, Mucuna pruriens, and Cannabis

sativum. Herbs increasing libido, namely

Asparagus racemosus, Withania somnifera,

Datura stramonium, Anacyclus pyrethrum,

Hibiscus abelmoschus. Common herbs which

were studied scientifically and reported to

possess fertility enhancing actions by

improving sperm quality, volume, and

hormonal levels and by influencing various

aspects of reproductive functions are listed

below.

CONCLUSION :

Various herbs have been used by people of

different cultures to treat conditions of male

infertility. Herbal medicine provides better

sustenance to the reproductive organ to

revitalize the quality and quantity of the same.

Some herbs have both boosting as well as

nourishing properties. Owing to the health

complications, high cost of modern treatment

for male infertility, the herbals are regaining

more acceptance and laying their long-term

impact on male reproductive health by

improving sexual behavior, stamina,

neuroendocrine control as well as structural

and functional aspects of reproductive organs,

qualitative and quantitative enhancement in

semen and also sperm morphology and

motility. Medical research should penetrate

deeper to emerge with more hidden

mechanisms by which countless herbs may act

to eliminate male infertility which is becoming

a major threat to upcoming offspring.

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RECEIVED: 24.10.2019 REVISED: 26.10.2019 ACCEPTED: 05.11.2019



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