ROLE OF UTTARBASTI IN FEMALE INFERTILITY

DEFINITION

Infertility defined as the inability to achieve pregnancy after a reasonable time of sexual intercourse with no contraceptive measures taken. The terms sterility and infertility sometimes used interchangeably. The fertile is defined as those who do become pregnant after some reasonable time of regular sexual intercourse.

Ayurvedic concept of Vandhyatva: Ayurveda is a science, having its own method of diagnosis & treatment based on it. According to Ayurvedic classics, infertility is failure to achieve a child rather than pregnancy as garbha strava (repeated Miscarriage) & mrutvatsa (having repeated still) is also included in types of infertility. Important factors of constituents of garbha (foetus) are-

• Rutu (fertile period) 
• Kshetra (reproductive organs) 
• Ambu (nutritive fluids), 
• Beeja/beej (ovum) 
• Also healthy psychological status and normal functioning of Vata (one of the governing factor of body according to ayurveda), shadbhava (Six factors –mother, father. Atma, satva, satmya, rasa). Any abnormality in these factors causes infertility.
  

AYURVEDIC TREATMENT FOR INFERTILITY

• Ashwagandha and Kapikacchu Churan – Both herbs increase sperm count and improve its quality. 
• Phala Gritam – this gritam treat female infertility. Consumed in the form of liquefied butter mixed with milk, this medicine is touted to treat functional problems but does not treat structural deficiencies. 
• Gokshura, Guduchi, and Triphala Churna – These herbs are used to clear the blockages in the body which prevents the production of the shukra dhatu.

UTTARBASTI

There are many types of infertility treatment or management, although their success rate is controversial. During this situation, uttarbasti may be the ray of sunlight. It is an easy method with less side effects; may solve the rasin problem of vandhyatva. 

CONCEPT OF UTTER BASTI

the term utter basti is composed of two words Uttar and Basti. The basti which is given through uttarmarga or utkrishta avayava or therapeutic procedure having shreshtha properties, is termed as utter basti.

UTTAR BASTI YANTRA

Instrument by which insertion of drug by urinary or vaginal passage is to be done is called as utter basti yantra. It can be used as sodhan basti. It is given through upper passage (utter marga) other than anus, which is why, it is called as utterbasti. Utter basti contains two parts 

1. Basti putak or drug holding bag 
2. Basti Netra or nozzle for inserting drug.
   

UTTAR BASTI DEYA KALA 

• After shodhana of women, utter basti should be given during ritukala (follicular phase or just after menses) as orifices of uterus remain open in this period. 
• Charaka told Ritukala is suitable time for the administration of uttar basti. 
• Uttara basti should be given after 2-3 asthapan basti during ritukala, as during this era the yoni or garbhashaya is avarana rahita and so sneha enters & absorb easily.
  

UTTAR BASTI KARMA VIDHI 

1. PURAVA KARAMA – Uttara basti should be given after the administration of niruha basti, according to vagbhata, about two to three Niruh basti should be given earlier than the administration of uttara basti.

• Abhyanga and svedana karma should be done preferably over the back, groin and abdomen then yavagu added with ghee should be given for drinking.

2. PRADHANA KARMA – The patient is made to lie down on her back, fold her legs at knee (lithotomy position).

• Then the uttara basti yantra containing the prescribed dravya (either kvatha or sneha) is taken and the basti netra lubricated with sneha is carefully introduced into the apathya marga.
• Basti putpak is compressed consistently, so that the dravya can enter easily in the yoni.
• It is observed that kvatha returns immediately after insert whereas sneha is engaged after some time.
• Such uttara basti can be repeted 2-3 times 
• In a day and also has to be given consecutively for 3 days and patient is advised to take rest for 3 days before giving another course of uttara basti. 

3. PASCHAT KARMA 

• Rest for some time is advisable. 
• Diet intake should be concerned, Acharya recommend that after the pratyagamana of uttar basti, at evening the patient should be given milk or yusha.
  

PROCEDURE OF UTTAR BASTI

• Before administration of uttarbasti previous infection should be cleared thoroughly. 
• After this, 2 to 3 Asthapana basti should be given to the patient. 
• The woman should be lie in supine position with flexed thighs and elevated knee. 
• After that pushpanetra should be inserted in vaginal passage slowly with steady hand, following the direction of passage then drug should return after some time if not return then again niruha basti or varti of purifying drugs should be used uttarbasti procedure should be carried out by an expert, under all aseptic precautions and sterilized medicine is used so there are no any chance of introducing any kind of infection.
  

MODE OF ACTION OF BASTI

The given basti when enters the pakvasaya by its virya, draws the morboid dosha lodged in the entire body from foot to the head, just like the sun situated in the sky sucks up the moisture from the earth.

CONCLUSION

Research has given many treatments for infertility but it may cause side effects and costly. Whereas Ayurveda has mentioned many treatments like Basti and various drug combination with minimum side effects and are cost effective so can be used as first line of treatment. Basti is the main treatment of vata dushti. Utter basti is the main line of treatment of vandhyatva as it is strengthens the garbhasya by applying proper drug through utterbasti. Utterbasti have lot of therapeutic potential. Proper selection of drug and time administration is very essential for getting the desire result.