JOIN USReproductive health in both men and women depends on the health of the reproductive tissue or shukra dhatu. The shukra is created as part of a long chain of metabolic transformations.
It starts with the digestion of food, then goes on to transformation of food to nutrient fluid, blood, muscle, fat, bone, bone marrow, and finally, to shukra tissue. Healthy shukra tissue, then, according to Ayurveda, depends on the health of all the other tissues in the body.
It is very important for couples who wish to conceive a child to have positive mental feelings. They are advised to practise meditation, pranayama and yoga on a regular basis to keep their bodies and minds fit.
The following lifestyle factors can greatly reduce your ability to get pregnant:
Smoking presents a major risk not only to your reproductive health. It decreases your ability to get pregnant because it interferes with your body’s ability to absorb Vitamin C and zinc.
Drugs can also affect women’s reproductive health. Both over-the-counter and illegal drugs affect the body’s natural functions as well as impair nutrition.
Women who are trying to conceive should limit their exposure to pesticides and chemicals as they can hinder chances of getting pregnant.
Stress can have a major impact on women’s fertility. The importance of a positive attitude is essential when trying to get pregnant.
Being overweight or underweight can impair a woman’s odds of getting pregnant. If you are underweight, your reproductive system will shut down because of the body’s inability to maintain a pregnancy. On the other hand, being overweight or obese reduces a woman’s chances of getting pregnant.
Staying physically fit is essential when you’re trying to get pregnant. However, it is important to note that excessive exercise is unhealthy and can impair your ability to conceive.
(The author is director, Jiva Ayurveda)