e-ISSN No- 3048-6270
Published by Homoeopathic Chronicles
ASSISTED REPRODUCTIVE TECHNIQUES: BOON OR BANE?
ROLE OF HOMOEOPATHY IN REDUCING THE NEED.
Ravi Raghul.G1, Jyoshna Shivaprasad2
1 PG Scholar, Department of Homoeopathic Paediatrics, Father Muller Homoeopathic Medical College, Deralakatte, Mangalore -575018
2 Professor, H.O.D, Homoeopathic Paediatrics, Father Muller Homoeopathic Medical College, Deralakatte, Mangalore -575018
Article Received: 1 August 2024 - Accepted: 14 August 2024 - Article published online: 30 September 2024
ABSTRACT
Assisted reproductive techniques (ARTs) have become a prevalent solution for couples facing infertility issues, including methods such as in-vitro fertilization (IVF) and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). However, concerns have arisen regarding the potential adverse effects of ARTs on both parents and children. Studies have highlighted an increased risk of birth defects, chromosomal abnormalities, and developmental disorders among children conceived through ARTs. In India, where heirship holds significant cultural value, the use of ARTs is on the rise. Nevertheless, many underlying causes of infertility can be addressed through homoeopathy, thereby potentially reducing the need for ARTs. Homoeopathic treatments tailored to individual cases have shown promising results in addressing male and female infertility. Moreover, homoeopathy may offer support for children impacted by ARTs, potentially aiding in the mitigation of developmental problems through its influence on genetic expressions and epigenetics. This article inferes that, while ARTs remain an effective solution for infertility, homoeopathy presents an alternative approach to addressing infertility, to reduce the use of ARTs and supporting children affected by ARTs.
KEYWORDS
Assisted Reproductive Techniques (ART), Male infertility, Female infertility, Homoeopathy, Imprinting Disorders, Individualisation.
BACKGROUND
Assisted reproductive techniques (ARTs) are considered an effective treatment option for couples who couldn’t get pregnant for a long period of time. Fertility therapies that include the in vitro alteration of oocytes and sperm are referred to as assisted reproductive technologies, or ART, these includes techniques such as in-vitro fertilization (IVF), and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), embryo transfer techniques, and luteal phase support.[1]Though they are considered a good way to possibly overcome infertility, but there have been studies showing a lot of complications related to the ARTs especially having a significant impact on the children as product of it. India as a country values the heirship more than any country and ARTs help in overcoming infertility and so the trends of use of ARTs is on the rise in India, which cannot be exempted. Though ARTs are unavoidable treatment option in infertility, a lot of these causes for infertility are treatable especially with Homoeopathy. This article discusses about the ARTs and their impact on the children and how Homoeopathy could possibly help in avoiding the use and help the children who have been already impacted by it.
WHAT IS ART AND ITS IMPACT ON THE PARENTS AS WELL AS THE CHILDREN
Assisted reproductive techniques (ARTs) is a method of manipulating the oocyte and sperm to conceive in couples who have been infertile for a long time. This includes techniques such as in-vitro fertilization (IVF), and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), embryo transfer techniques, and luteal phase support. Major causes of infertility in India are Tubal factor infertility (30-40%), Ovulatory dysfunction (25-30%), Endometriosis (15-20%), Male factor infertility (20-30%), Unexplained infertility (10-15%), Premature ovarian failure (5-10%), Genetic disorder (2-3%), Autoimmune Disorders (2-3%), Medications (1-2%), Environmental factors (1-2%). ARTs help in overcoming the infertility in couples having any of these causes as their problem for being infertile.[2] Though ARTs help overcome the parent’s problem we must keep in mind the probability of its impact on the child as well, as they are the product of these ARTs. Many recent studies show ARTs have led to increase in birth defects in children conceived through ARTs. Although as preliminary as it maybe it has been demonstrated that ART is linked to more chromosomal abnormalities, particularly in the X chromosome. Offspring conceived using assisted reproductive technology (ART) are more susceptible to embryonal cancers and imprinting disorders, such as Beckwith-Wiedemann and Angelman syndromes [3]. The methylation abnormalities affecting hundreds of genes are found on a greater (genome-wide) scale in children conceived using assisted reproductive technologies (ART). A later development of chronic illness may be impacted by changed genes linked to developmental pathways and carcinogenesis.[4]
HOW THE USE OF ARTS CAN BE REDUCED AND WHAT IS THE ROLE OF HOMOEOPATHY
A lot of infertility cases can be treated by treating underlying cause as mentioned above. Though many causes such as tubal damage or congenital abnormalities of the reproductive organ or any structural changes that might be leading to the infertility still require ARTs to conceive, a large portion of the causes can be treated especially male infertility, ovulatory regulation, endometriosis, PCOS or any other hormonal causes. Homoeopathy has a greater scope in treating all the above-mentioned causes and it is very good way to reduce the need for ARTs which will negate the harmful impact the ARTs might have on the children of the future generations. Individualised Homoeopathic treatment have been proven to help treat the underlying causes of infertility and help conceiving with a success of more than 60%.
ROLE OF HOMOEOPATHY IN TREATMENT OF FEMALE INFERTILITY
Remedies such as Natrum Muriaticum, Pulsatilla, Lycopodium, Silicea, Calcarea carb, Sepia, etc. have been useful in the Homoeopathic treatment of infertility in females [5]. The indications of the remedies and the condition its used are given down with references [6] [7] [8] [9] [10] [11] in tabulated form.
ROLE OF HOMOEOPATHY IN TREATMENT OF MALE INFERTILITY
Many remedies are being used in treatment of male infertility such as Agnus castus, Anacardium orientale, Argentum nitricum, Caladium, Conium, Lycopodium, Selenium, etc. [12]. The indications of the remedies and the condition its used are given down with references [6] [7] [13] [14] [15] [16] in tabulated form.
Though these remedies are predominantly used in treatment of infertility, Many articles have been published that individualised Homoeopathic medicines still is the best treatment option to overcome infertility as it takes in a lot of dispositions of a patient into consideration which is a major factor in arriving at a similimum [17]. Homoeopathy as a system believes in treating the patient Holistically and always gives importance in understanding patient as a person [18], thus Homoeopathic treatment for any suffering gives best results only by individualising patients.[19]
CONCLUSION
ARTs although being an efficient treatment to overcome infertility, it has a harmful impact on the children who are a product of it. Homoeopathy can be the best alternative to reduce the use of ARTs in infertility by treating the underlying causes in both male and female using individualised Homoeopathic medicine. How can Homoeopathy help the children Impacted due to ARTs remains a questions in this article. Although major birth defects need surgical corrections and other interventions, many consequences arising from ARTs like developmental problems and low birth weight leading to failure to thrive. According to the Khuda‑Bukhsh hypothesis [20][21] ultra-high dilutions of Homoeopathic medicines can help in alteration of the genetic expressions and plays a key role in epigenetics. Thus, Homoeopathy might help in repairing the imprinting problems in the child arising from ARTs in future if this hypothesis proves that homoeopathic medicines really have an impact on genetic level and it can also help the children who are already impacted to overcome their developmental problems with the individualised Homoeopathic medicines.
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How to cite this Article: Raghul.G R, Shivaprasad J. Assisted reproductive techniques: Boon or bane? Role of homoeopathy in reducing the need. International Journal for Fundamental and Interdisciplinary Research in Homoeopathy [Internet]. 2024;2(3):1–8. Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.59939/3048-6270.2024.v2.i3.1