• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.43 no.2
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• pp.42-50
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• 2022

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to investigate the characteristics of female infertility patients who come to Korean medicine clinics and analyze the trends of Korean medicine treatment methods and the effects of female infertility by registry data. Methods: We are recruiting study participants from Korean medicine hospitals and clinics. If female infertility patients come, we will ask them to register for this study. After enrollment, we will collect demographic information, treatment methods, pregnancy results, adverse events, and treatment costs. Result: First, we will analyze the characteristics of patients, the status of the use of Korean medicine treatment interventions, the cost status of Korean medicine infertility treatment, and the delivery characteristics of pregnant women after Korean medicine treatment. Second, we will analyze the effectiveness of Korean medicine treatment. The primary outcome is clinical pregnancy rate, and secondary outcomes are 12-week pregnancy maintenance rate, degree of dysmenorrhea and premenstrual syndrome, stress level, and health-related quality of life score. Discussion: This study is the first observational multi-center study in Korea for female infertility. By establishing the registry, we are creating a resource that contains patient-reported outcome measures for female infertility. The registry is expected to provide valuable data for developing Korean medicine Clinical practice guidelines for female infertility.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.218-233
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• 2005

Purpose : To investigate clinical-epidemologic aspect of infertility patients in Conmaul Oriental Hospital. Methods : From 2003, 5 to 2004, 4, a total 1223(female 943, male 280) patients was recruited, and their medical records were reviewed retrospectively. Results : The mean age of female was $31.83{\pm}3.63$ yesrs, and $34.08{\pm}3.66$ years in male. The mean BMI of female was $20.83{\pm}2.74$, and $24.36{\pm}3.03$ in male. The most common occupation of female was profession, administration, management.The primary infertility was 52.9% and the secondary infertility 47.1%. The most common past history in female was laparotomy. The mean duration of infertility was $3.32{\pm}2.5$ years and $3.9{\pm}2.63$ years in female and male. 83.6% of secondary infertility women experienced abortion. The incidence of patients with both combinded infertility factors of female and male was the most highest, and the most common single factor was ovulatory. 92.4% of female patients took sterility tests, 71.0% of male patients took semen analysis. 50.8% female took ovulation induction, IUI, IVF before coming. 8.91% of female and 72.14% of male were accompanied by their spouse. 61.2% of female took sterility test with their spouse. Female's duration of treatment was longer than man's. The most reliable source of choices was encouragement of family members, acquaintance. Conclusion : In this study, we presented staus concerend with infertility and the characteristics of patients went to oriental hospital. Furthermore, the study about oriental treatments and the results of that treatments is required.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.40-59
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• 2024

Objectives: Since infertility has been big social issue in Korea, this study aims to analyze the domestic study trends in Korean Medicine (KM) for female infertility treatment. Methods: Case studies applying KM treatment on female infertility were selected through 5 domestic journal databases. General characteristics, interventions, outcomes and results and the quality of the reports were analyzed. Especially, the quality assessments of studies were made using CAse REport (CARE) guideline and Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) critical appraisal checklist. Results: 14 studies (22 cases) were finally selected for the analyzation. The mean age of the participants was 35.1 and the most common factor of female infertility in this study was Uterine factor. Herbal medicine was applied in all studies, and acupuncture was also used frequently. Most cases reported pregnancy of the participants. According to quality assessment, 'Diagnostic challenges', 'Intervention adherence and tolerability', 'Adverse and unanticipated events', 'Patient perspective' and 'Informed consent' were showed low reporting rates. Conclusions: Korean Medicine treatment for female infertility is expected to be effective. In quality evaluation, there were some items with low reporting rates. Further clinical studies have to be conducted to establish the evidence for the treatment.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.50 no.4
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• pp.285-291
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• 2023

Objective: Infertility can result from a diminished ovarian reserve, but a potential remedy exists in the form of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) administration. This treatment involves both biological factors and tissue trauma mechanisms, which stimulate folliculogenesis, making it a promising and effective strategy. We assessed the impact of direct PRP injections into the ovaries on the fertility outcomes of women classified as poor responders. Methods: A quasi-experimental study was conducted from April 2021 to December 2022, focusing on patients classified as POSEIDON grade 3 or 4. PRP injections were administered into both ovaries. After 3 months, data were collected on anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) level, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) level, and the numbers of oocytes, mature oocytes, and good-quality embryos following ovarian stimulation. We then compared the data from before and after PRP injection. Results: This study included 50 women, with a mean of 39 years (interquartile range [IQR], 35 to 43) and 4 years (IQR, 2 to 6) for age and infertility duration, respectively. FSH levels decreased after treatment, while AMH levels and the numbers of oocytes, metaphase II oocytes, and high-quality embryos increased. However, only the increase in high-quality embryos was significant. The pregnancy and spontaneous pregnancy rates were 20% and 14%, respectively. Notably, women with secondary infertility exhibited a significantly higher pregnancy rate than those with primary infertility. Conclusion: Ample evidence suggests that PRP can enhance ovarian function. However, further studies are needed to identify the appropriate candidates for this procedure, establish the optimal PRP preparation method, and standardize the procedure for its adjuvant use in assisted reproductive technology cycles.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.56-67
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• 2017

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to elucidate infertility women's experience in psychological stress and to suggest effective infertility stress management methods. Methods: Twenty five infertility women who participate in Korean Medicine Pilot Project for Infertility completed questionnaires and Infertility Stress Scale, also, we have interviewed. Results: The Mean degree of stress of the infertile women was 2.24 point with Infertility Stress Scale. In focused interview, the infertility stress was considered to be within the aspects of intra and interpersonal. In regards to intrapersonal aspect, infertility women described the grief with lowered self-esteem and anxiety with obsession for fertility. As for the interpersonal aspect, infertility women were distressed by the relationship with spouse and in-laws, as well as friend and the public. Conclusions: Doctors in infertility clinic need to consider infertility stress of their patients and conduct effective intervention.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.109-119
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• 2024

Objectives: This study is aimed to survey public's experience of medical use for developing Korean medicine clinical practice guideline of female infertility. Methods: The study engaged women who had experienced infertility despite regular conjugal relations, selected from an online survey company's national panel. Participants were surveyed from November 3 to 8, 2021. The questionnaire, developed from prior studies on Korean medicine, was emailed to 29,465 adults; 550 responses were analyzed after exclusions. The study received an IRB exemption from Pusan National University Korean Medicine Hospital and utilized Microsoft Excel for statistical analysis. Results: Among 550 respondents, 32.2% had experienced infertility, predominantly due to unexplained causes (52%). About half had received medical treatment (49.3%), primarily at hospitals and general hospitals (54.2%) and obstetrics and gynecology clinics (49.4%), with Korean medicine facilities also utilized (24.7% for clinics, 14.4% for hospitals). The most common treatments included herbal medicine in Korean medicine and ovulation induction in Western medicine, with most treatments lasting less than six months (71.4%) and costing between 1 to 5 million won (50.5%). Efforts to conceive included lifestyle adjustments such as maintaining a warm lower abdomen, supplement intake, and avoiding alcohol and tobacco. Conclusions: It is necessary that the guidelines be revised to address female infertility and to integrate recommendations for combining Korean medical treatments and Western medical treatments, which will enhance patient care in managing female infertility.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.43 no.3
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• pp.122-138
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• 2022

Objectives: This study was conducted to develop a Korean Medicine(KM) Clinical Practice Guidelines(CPG) of female infertility. We conducted this questionnaire survey to reflect the experiences of Korean Medicine doctors(KMD) and clinical field in Korea. Method: We sent a questionnaire survey to KMD belonging to the Association of Korean Medicine by e-mail. We received 665 responds, and analyzed the answers. Results: 51.2% of respondents knew the previously developed CPG of female infertility, and 18.3% actually used. 83.3% agreed about the necessity of CPG of female infertility, and 80.3% had practical use plan. 90.2% of respondents treated less than 5 infertility woman for a month. 22.7% of respondents treated 50% of patients with collaborative treatment of KM and Western medical treatments. The main age group of patients was '35~40 years'(54.7%), and the most common cause was unexplained infertility(61.7%). The most common pattern identification of female infertility patients was Kidney deficiency(55.4%). KMD used 'a combination of decoction of herbal medicine, acupuncture and moxibustion treatment' the most(43%), and 'a decoction of herbal medicine treatment alone' was next(35%). 84.2% conducted lifestyle modification education about diet, stress, exercise etc. Conclusion: We figured out Korean Medicine doctors' recognition about CPG of female infertility, preference of treatments, and also characteristics of patients visiting Korean Medical clinics to make a practical CPG reflecting clinical situation.

• Journal of East-West Nursing Research
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.100-108
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• 2022

Korean medicine has traditionally provided a lot of medical care for the treatment of infertility. The combination treatment of Korean medicine and Western medicine can be effective for infertility to improve the problems caused by the extremely low fertility rate and the aging of pregnant women. In relation to female infertility, we reviewed the evidence for Korean medicine treatment for polycystic ovary syndrome, which has recently been increasing interest in female infertility, and the evidence for the collaboration between Korean and Western medicine in the treatment of polycystic ovary syndrome and infertility. Because polycystic ovary syndrome is closely related to metabolic diseases related to endocrine abnormalities, hormone treatment alone has limited therapeutic effects and has side effects. In domestic and international research, herbal medicine and acupuncture in the treatment of infertility have shown good clinical effects based on the hypothesis of various mechanisms of effect, and many cases of successful pregnancy have been reported. Although continuous research through large-scale randomized clinical studies is needed to prove efficacy, the importance of combined treatment of Korean medicine and Western medicine in infertility treatment is increasing in order to solve the extremely low fertility rate. Combining artificial insemination or in vitro fertilization with Korean medicine treatment is highly likely to be effective in increasing pregnancy success and fertility rates. In women with polycystic ovary syndrome, which is recognized as a metabolic disease due to endocrine abnormalities among the causes of female infertility, Korean medicine treatment can increase the pregnancy rate with herbal medicines and acupuncture, etc. Although well-designed large-scale clinical studies are currently lacking and meta-analysis has not provided sufficient evidence, the combination treatment of Korean medicine and Western medicine is more active to increase the pregnancy rate for solving the problem of low fertility.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.44 no.1
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• pp.28-32
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• 2017

Objective: Growing evidence suggests that increased cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk is associated with female infertility caused by conditions such as polycystic ovarian disease, obesity, thyroid dysfunction, and endometriosis. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether any relationship exists between CVD and unexplained infertility. Methods: Sixty-five women with unexplained infertility and 65 fertile controls were enrolled in the study. CVD risk markers such as low-density lipoprotein (LDL), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), insulin resistance (defined by the homeostasis model assessment ratio), and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) were assessed. Results: TG, TC, LDL, and hs-CRP levels were higher and HDL levels were lower in patients with unexplained infertility than in fertile controls (p<0.05 for all). Positive associations were found between unexplained infertility and TG, TC, LDL, and hs-CRP levels, and a negative correlation was found for HDL (p<0.05 for all). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that TG, HDL, and hs-CRP were independent variables associated with unexplained infertility. Conclusion: Our study showed that women with unexplained infertility had an atherogenic lipid profile and elevated hs-CRP levels, suggesting a higher risk of developing CVD in the future. Further studies with larger groups are needed to investigate the nature of this link.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.517-521
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• 2021

Background: This study aimed to investigate whether working long hours was related to infertility among female Korean workers, while taking age into consideration. Methods: We used data from the 2018 National Survey on Fertility and Family Health and Welfare in Korea that is a cross-sectional, nationally representative, and population-based survey. Infertility was defined as women who were not pregnant after regular unprotected intercourse for a year. Working long hours was classified as ≥52 hours, and subgroups as per age were classified on the basis of being younger or older than 40 years of age. Differences in infertility risk between the long working hour group and none were estimated in crude and fully adjusted logistic regression models with age-group stratification. Results: Of 5,909 Korean female workers, the crude and adjusted odds ratios (95% confidence intervals) of infertility for working long hours were 1.295 (0.948-1.737) and 1.303 (0.921-1.809), respectively. In the subgroup of patients below 40 years of age, the crude and adjusted odds ratios (95% confidence interval) were 1.957 (1.216-3.039) and 1.921 (1.144-3.120), whereas those aged 40 years or older had 0.994 (0.647-1.471) and 0.939 (0.560-1.501), respectively. The weighted prevalence of infertility increased as weekly working hours increased only for the younger than 40-year subgroup. Conclusions: Infertility is associated with working long hours, especially in young-aged workers. Thus, the working schedule must be structured to better suit young female workers.