Decoding Hormones Impacting Female & Male Infertility | Ayurveda & Modern Solutions
Published on:
6 Mar 2025
AMH is a two-faced hormone
Both males and females were at one point female in their mother’s womb. During fetal life, if the baby is a male, AMH gets released from the testes and that makes the male reproductive system develop. Females in the womb do not have AMH so their reproductive system develops to be female.
So why do we test only women for AMH levels?
When you go to a gynaecologist not able to conceive, she will run these tests to see the egg reserve in the woman. If AMH is low for her age that means her egg reserve is less. But, and there is a big but here, this is not an irreversible condition as modern medicine tells you. It is a sort of fear mongering for couples because we can improve AMH naturally. But nonetheless, AMH is an important marker for what to expect in your fertility journey.
Infertile at both, low and high AMH?
AMH is released throughout a woman’s life and is not dependent on the stage of the menstrual cycle. So, it can be tested any time.
AMH tells us about the number and quality of the eggs present. With our modern lifestyle, our exposure to hormone disruptors, our processed foods and even fresh produce being non organic (secret—you can never be sure if the food is organic unless you grow it)
A low AMH is not a death sentence. AMH can be improved naturally by destressing, yoga therapy to improve blood flow to the reproductive organs and a metabolic reset by Ayurveda. At Orya care, we integrate allopathy and ayurveda to make sure there is a targeted approach to infertility, a holistic approach at an ayurvedic retreat to improve overall hormone function and reverse metabolic disorders. The sattvic diet, yoga therapy, ayurvedic therapy under the guidance of our gynaecologist work together to reduce the need for assisted reproduction, focus on the mental health of the struggling couple and improve their metabolic function.
High AMH
If low AMH has been a problem for a couple, high AMH is also a problem. If your ovaries under-do you’re damned and if they overdo you are damned.
Simplifying AMH, if less eggs means less AMH then high AMH points to more eggs maturing in PCOD. Simple.
So if you have issues with fertility, difficulty losing weight, abnormal body hair growth, irregular cycles, then AMH values will help in diagnosing the cause of your infertility- which is PCOD.
Given its pivotal roles, AMH serves as a valuable biomarker in various clinical contexts:
Assessment of Ovarian Reserve: AMH levels correlate with the quantity of remaining ovarian follicles, aiding in the evaluation of a woman's reproductive lifespan and assisting in fertility planning.
Diagnosis of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS): Elevated AMH levels are often observed in women with PCOS, reflecting the increased number of small antral follicles characteristic of the condition.
Predicting Menopausal Onset: Declining AMH levels can provide insights into the timing of menopause, allowing for better management of associated health considerations.
In summary, AMH is integral to sexual differentiation and the regulation of reproductive functions. Its measurement offers valuable insights into various aspects of reproductive health and assists in the diagnosis and management of related disorders.
More hormones; The tip of the iceberg
While AMH is your go-to hormone to check for egg reserves, there are two important hormones released from the brain (the pituitary gland to be precise) that are checked frequently in infertility treatment protocols.
Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH) and Luteinizing Hormone (LH) are pivotal reproductive secreted by the anterior pituitary gland, playing essential roles in regulating reproductive functions in both males and females.
Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH):
In Females: FSH stimulates the growth and maturation of ovarian follicles, ensuring the timely recruitment and development of viable eggs. Optimal FSH levels are essential for fostering follicular growth and selecting the dominant follicle destined to ovulate.
In Males: FSH acts on Sertoli cells within the testes, promoting spermatogenesis—the process of sperm production. It enhances the action of testosterone, thereby supporting the development of healthy sperm.
Luteinizing Hormone (LH):
In Females: A surge in LH levels triggers ovulation, the release of a mature egg from the ovary. This surge is essential for the proper timing of ovulation, facilitating the possibility of fertilization.
In Males: LH stimulates Leydig cells in the testes to produce testosterone, a hormone crucial for the development of secondary sexual characteristics and the maintenance of spermatogenesis.
The interplay between FSH and LH is vital for normal reproductive function. In females, the coordinated release of these hormones regulates the menstrual cycle, while in males, they work together to ensure the production of healthy sperm and the maintenance of male reproductive health.
We are often chasing select hormones like AMH, LH or FSH to understand fertility struggles. But our body isn’t just hormones and neither is the reproductive system.
So what do we do at ORYA care to help?
No hormone disruption happens in isolation. The human body is very resourceful and clever. If a hormone is high or low, other hormones step up to take its place. The delicate balance of these hormones is thus disturbed in their attempt to restore the body’s homeostatic balance. In addition, the hormone just doesn’t have one target. All faculties of reproduction and metabolism are affected and such a disturbance calls for an integrated approach of different treatment modalities to come together. At Orya Care, the gynaecologist and Ayurved practitioner will go through your case, AMH will be one of the blood parameters to check progress and therapy outcomes. At our ayurvedic retreat, you will be given psychological counselling, yoga therapy, diet therapy and advise you on how to carry on these lifestyle modifications to have a meaningful impact on your fertility. A fertility cleanse to be exact.
At Orya Care, we treat the couple as a unit and only the female partner does not undergo the treatment. Even if the husband’s semen analysis is normal, we still advise the couple be given therapy together, we assess the psychological and mental health of the couple and we have expert counsellors to handle this couple issue. With the coordinated approach, we integrate the gynaecologist and ayurved counsellor for a holistic treatment of the couple. We believe no bodily disturbance happens in a vacuum and integrated care assists the body to gear up for making a baby naturally.
Understanding Fertility Cleansing
A fertility cleanse is a natural method of removing toxins from the body while promoting hormonal balance and reproductive wellness. Unlike medical detox programs, a fertility cleanse focuses on gentle, nourishing practices that restore vitality to the reproductive organs. The cleanse primarily targets the liver, uterus, and digestive system to ensure optimal functioning of the body's natural detoxification processes.
Ayurveda, the ancient Indian system of medicine, views fertility as a reflection of overall health and balance. According to Ayurveda, reproductive health depends on the proper functioning of the digestive fire (Agni), balanced doshas (Vata, Pitta, and Kapha), and a nourished reproductive tissue (Shukra Dhatu). A fertility cleanse in Ayurveda involves dietary modifications, herbal remedies, and detoxification practices to remove toxins (Ama) and restore reproductive health.
Components of an Ayurvedic Fertility Cleanse
Dietary Modifications:
Adopting a diet that balances the doshas and nourishes the reproductive tissues is essential. This includes consuming warm, cooked foods, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats, while minimizing processed foods, caffeine, and alcohol. At Orya Care, during the length of the treatment, the couple is given a light sattvic diet to reset the gut and improve metabolic disturbance
Herbal Remedies:
Ayurveda recommends several herbal remedies to support and enhance fertility by balancing the doshas, nourishing the reproductive tissues (Shukra dhatu), and promoting overall reproductive health. Some Ayurvedic herbs commonly used to enhance fertility include Shatavari, Ashwagandha, Gokshura, Shilajit, Vidarikand, Kapikacchu, Lodhra, Guduchi, Triphala, and Bala.
Detoxification Practices:
Engaging in gentle detoxification methods such as Panchakarma, a comprehensive Ayurvedic detoxification and rejuvenation therapy, can help eliminate accumulated toxins (ama) that may be hindering reproductive health.
Lifestyle Adjustments:
Incorporating stress-reducing techniques like yoga, meditation, and pranayama (breathing exercises) can effectively reduce stress and promote hormonal balance. Maintaining a regular daily routine (Dinacharya), ensuring adequate sleep, and engaging in regular, moderate exercise are also crucial components.
Benefits of a Fertility Cleanse
Implementing a fertility cleanse can lead to several benefits, including:
Hormonal Balance: By addressing doshic imbalances and nourishing the reproductive tissues, a fertility cleanse can help regulate menstrual cycles and support ovulation.
Detoxification: Eliminating toxins from the body can improve overall health and create a more favorable environment for conception.
Stress Reduction: Incorporating stress-reducing practices can alleviate anxiety and promote emotional well-being, which is essential for fertility.
Enhanced Reproductive Health: By focusing on the health of the liver, uterus, and digestive system, a fertility cleanse can improve the body's natural detoxification processes, supporting optimal reproductive function.
We have started this integrated approach to help women in all stages of their life to benefit from and not get piecemeal treatment from specialists and super specialists. While assisted reproductive treatments have a very important role in this day and age, our team of experts at Orya Care ensure we step up our battle against infertility with small wins. A change of environment and return to a slow-paced healing program, has a significant effect on the mental and physical well being of the couple. In namma Bengaluru, we have started this integrated approach to reproductive wellness with a dose of care, pampering and empathy. The nature-cure retreat program is an extension of our philosophy at Orya care that no-one-size fits all and the couple unit gets a personalized treatment. Come experience our holistic wellness programs at our retreat center based in Electronic City with Orya Care.
References
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