Ulcerative Colitis and Sexual Health

Abstract

This article comprises informative content regarding ulcerative colitis, sexual health and effect of ulcerative colitis on sexual health. Proper digestion is the soul of the body. Better the digestion the better will be the functioning of the system.

Introduction (Ulcerative Colitis)

Ulcerative Colitis is a form of inflammatory bowel disease characterised by diffuse inflammation of the mucosal membrane of the colon. It affects the rectum and extends proximally along a variable length of the colon. It is a disease of unknown origin characterised by continuous attack of bloody diarrhea.

Symptoms

Following are the symptoms of ulcerative colitis

• Diarrhea, often with blood or pus-  Ulcerative Colitis flare-up, the cells in the lining of the intestine become inflamed, meaning the intestine can’t absorb all the nutrients and fluid. This results in stools being loose and watery, or even entirely liquid, causing diarrhoea.
• Abdominal pain and cramping It can happen before a bowel movement or while defecation. Feelings of gripping or extreme pressure that tightens and releases over and over again make patients feel like cramping.
• Rectal pain
• Rectal bleeding — blood mixed stool.
• Urgency to defecate
• Inability to defecate even on urgency
• Weight loss due to Malabsorption of food and hence lack of nutrients.
• Fatigue due to excessive blood loss and malabsorption.
• Fever

Type

Following are the types of ulcerative colitis

1. Ulcerative proctitis. Inflammation in the area near rectum and rectal bleeding can be the sign..
2. Proctosigmoiditis  Inflammation in rectum and  the lower end of the colon i.e sigmoid colon.
3. Left-sided colitis. Inflammation in rectum and colon.
4. Pancolitis. This type of ulcerative colitis  often affects the whole  colon is affected

Causes

Following are the types of ulcerative colitis

• The exact cause of this disease is unknown .Malfunction of  Immune system can be one of the possible causes .Diet and stress can aggravate the factors which increase ulceration in the colon.
• When the immune system tries to fight off an invading pathogen , an abnormal immune response of the system causes the immune system to attack the cells in the digestive tract that’s why it is an autoimmune disease.
• Heredity also seems to play a role in ulcerative colitis because it is  more common in people who have family members with the disease but most people don’t have family history.

Diagnosis

In Ulcerative colitis the investigations can be done via Endoscopic procedures with tissue biopsy. Endoscopy is the most authentic way to diagnose ulcerative colitis.

• Endoscopic procedures
• Colonoscopy. A thin wire like instrument is inserted to check out the exact cause.
• Sigmoidoscopy. Flexible tube to examine the rectum and sigmoid colon — the lower end of your colon. It is done in case of severe inflammation of the colon.

Lab Tests

• Blood tests.  Blood tests to check for anemia — a condition in which there is lack of R.B.C  to carry ample oxygen to body tissues.
• Stool tests- stool samples can also help to check infections via bacteria, viruses and parasites.

Ayurvedic Perspective of Ulcerative Colitis

In Ayurveda, the ulcerative colitis is called Raktaj Atisara. Patient suffering from pittaj atisara or with the complications of vitiated pitta dosha ,if continue to take aggravated factors may fall in the condition of rakta atisara.

Symptoms

• Thirst
• Pain in abdominal region
• Burning sensation
• Rectal abnormalities
• Blood mixed stool.

Treatment / Home Remedies

1. Deepan and pachan dravya which promote proper digestion and digestive fire.
2. Shatavri kalpa with milk should be given for soothing effects
3. Kutajavaleha is jam-like formation effective due to its anti-inflammatory properties.
4. Bilva with jaggery will enhance the optimal functioning of intestine ,promote digestion as it has antispasmodic properties.
5. Bilva juice
6. Kamdudha ras ( mukta, praval, shankh vati) – 2bd after meal
7.  Effective in colitis ,soothing effect in chronic acidity,stomach ulcers.
8. Sootshekhar ras (kajjali, vatsnabh,datura) is effective in abdominal pain ,epigastric tenderness.Dosage -2bd after meal
9. Madhukadi churna  dosage 3gms twice a day cure indigestion and habitual constipation
10. Vatsakadi churna contains kutaja as the chief ingredient hence enhancing and strengthening the digestive system naturally. Best  herb in conditions like colitis.

Sexual Health

Sexual health is the state of well-being w.r.t sexuality in each and every dimension of life .It is an element of human health which is based on a positive approach to sexuality and its other aspects, It includes: the ability to understand sexual behavior. Sexual health is based on socioeconomic and cultural things that support positive outcomes for individuals. Being sexually healthy means:

In simple words, sexuality is a natural part of life and involves more than sexual behavior. It comprises of –

• Acknowledging sexual rights shared by all.
• Sexual information, education ,sexual care access.
• Desirable sex and intimacy.
• Sexual pleasure up to orgasm between partners
• Better  communicate about sexual health between partners and health care providers.
• Safe sex with knowledge of contraceptives.

Basic Aspects of Sexual Health

Sexual health depends on various factors –

• Status of human body – for better sex a sound body is needed if body is not able to justify the own needs or the needs of his/her partner ,then sexual health is not upto mark and will make both the partners to suffer.
• Status of sexual organs like testis/penis/ovary/vagina is also very important because various diseases associated with these organs like premature ejaculation ,low sperm count , lack of libido, erection problems or problems in the female genital tract  may cause impaired sexual health .
• Lack of nutrition and poor lifestyle (excessive alcohol and smoking) may cause sexual health problems .

Factors Boost Sexual Health

• Proper diet and fulfillment of body nutrition
• Sexual education
• Access to hygienic sexual partner
• Better coordination between partners
• Better lifestyle
• Proper intake of vitamin d and aspartic acid.
• Healthy eating habits like fruits, veggies etc.

Impact on Sexual Health By Depraved Physical Health Due to Ulcerative Colitis

• In ulcerative colitis there is frequent emptying of the stomach which leads to impaired uptake of nutrients .
• Due to impaired uptake of nutrients the deficiency of various minerals(calcium, zinc {necessary for sperm regulation and testosterone production in males}, magnesium, potassium etc. in the body.),vitamins like vitamin d, vitamin b, vitamin c, aspartic acid etc., Basic proteins and essential amino acids take place.
• Excessive bleeding in stools lead to poor red blood cell count, low iron levels and hence poor body status.
• Low sperm count
• Poor erections
• Low sperm motility
• Low levels of testosterone and estrogen.
• Blood is the connective tissue in the body and prominent in circulation of oxygen therefore poor red blood cell levels hamper the oxygen supply in male genitals, lead to impaired erections and badly affect sexual health.
• Similarly in females low oxygen level due to poor circulation impaired the health status of female genital status.

Impact on Sexual Health By Depraved Mental Health Due to Ulcerative Colitis

Mental health is badly affected by diseases like ulcerative colitis and hence sexual health and vice versa.

• Due to poor status of health by ulcerative colitis patient can badly suffer by the conditions like low libido
• Poor self esteem
• Sex not up to orgasm
• Conflicts between partners
• Unable to become parents
• Poor confidence
• Low self esteem
• Raised cortisol level and hence stress.

All the above factors arise due to poor health status and nutrition deficiencies due to ulcerative colitis badly hamper the sexual health of individuals or both the partners. In such cases it is important to manage the ulcerative colitis first then boost the sexual health After managing the ulcerative colitis we can boost sexual health by following ways.

Behavioral Therapy

• After suffering from sexual problems arising due to ulcerative colitis patients can be in mental or physical breakdown so it is important to manage through proper communication , guidance.
• It is also important to educate the patient about the AHAR VIHAR (DIETARY PLANS) mentioned in ayurveda so as to get long term relief and regain strength.
• Education of family or partner is also important to stay with patient, positive and motivated  in bad phase of life

Medicinal Therapy

1. Ashwagandha Churna
2. Shilajatu
3. Gokshura
4. Kaunch Paka
5. Musli Churna
6. Abhrak Bhasma

All the above herbs can be used to cure low sperm count, loss of libido, erectile dysfunction ,premature ejaculation.

Ayurvedic Correlation

In ayurvedic context 7 dhatus are mentioned:-

1. Rasa
2. Rakat
3. Mamas
4. Meda
5. Asthi
6. Majja
7. Shukar

Rasa is first formed in the process of digestion and after rasa, rakat is formed so simply in ulcerative colitis where blood mixed stool is passed out the heavy loss of blood occurs hence obstruct the way for proper formation of subsequent dhatus, as shukra dhatu is formed on the seventh stage of process it is quite tough to maintain its formation properly. So to manage sexual disorders focus should be on proper management of rasa, rakta dhatu etc.

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Conclusion

In conclusion we can say that ulcerative colitis can cause sexual health problems and in sexual health affected by ulcerative colitis it is important to counter ulcerative colitis first because without managing ulcerative colitis it is quite impossible to manage sexual problems and will be troublesome for patients in the long term. Behavioral therapy ,proper communication can be the best way to manage with medicinal therapy of ulcerative colitis and then sexual problem . Ayurvedic focus on the same philosophy that for better cure it is prominent to treat the root cause of disease. In case of any query kindly visit www.PlanetAyurveda.com . For more queries, you can send your queries to our email id herbalremedies123@yahoo.com.