• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.257-264
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• 2021

The purpose of this study was to analyze acupuncture treatment methods and acupoint used to treat infertility in the last decade. The data were retrieved from 2010.1 to 2021.8. using national and international electronic databases (PubMed, EMBASE, OASIS, NDSL, and KISS). "Infertility," "sterility," "acupuncture," "electroacupuncture," "bloodletting," "pharmacopuncture," were used as search terms. All studies were mainly concerned with acupuncture treatment of infertility, but the studies which were not related included; (1) infertility or acupuncture treatment; (2) animal studies; (3) review/meta/protocol or clinical study; comparative studies and case reports which were excluded from this review. Only clinical trials for acupuncture treatment of infertility were included in this review (n = 18). For infertility treatment studies using acupuncture, polycystic ovarian syndrome was the main cause of infertility, the most common acupoint used was CV4, CV3, CV6, SP6, BL23, and the treatment effect significantly improved in the group receiving acupuncture treatment compared with the control group, or the group taking Western medicine alone. In some studies, the group using acupuncture treatment did not show side effects. Acupuncture is an effective treatment for infertility.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.143-160
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• 2022

Objectives: This study aimed to lay the foundation for the Korean medicine infertility treatment support program to be implemented in the future by analyzing the results of the Korean medicine infertility treatment support program implemented by Incheon metropolitan city. Methods: 224 patients applied for the Korean medicine infertility treatment support program conducted by Incheon metropolitan city and had three months of herbal medicine treatment and three months of follow-up time. Information on general, demographic, and infertility-related characteristics of patients before treatment was collected. Information on treatment contents performed by Korean medical doctors during treatment, and information on results and satisfaction after treatment was collected. In order to evaluate the safety of treatment, blood tests were performed before and after treatment, and abnormal reactions were monitored. Results: Of 224 patients, 211 ended treatment, of which 45 (21.33%) succeeded in pregnancy. The characteristics of the successful and failure groups of pregnancy were found to be statistically significant differences in age, therapeutic history, parity, anti-müllerian hormone test results, and type of infertility of the patients and spouses. The most common pattern identification was kidney deficiency, and the most widely used prescription was Jogyeongjongok-tang. Patients were highly satisfied with the treatment of Korean medicine infertility. As a result of the safety evaluation, herbal medicine treatment was confirmed to be a safe treatment. Conclusions: In this study, clinical information on the Incheon metropolitan city Korean medicine infertility treatment support program was obtained. Based on this study, it is expected that the Korean medicine infertility treatment program in the future will guarantee more extensive treatments such as extending the treatment period or supporting korean herbal medicine to spouses.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.29-46
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• 2016

Objectives : The aim of this study is development of questionnaire for pattern identification of infertility and analysis of infertility treatment trend in korean traditional medicine. Methods : Data was collected by survey papers from 19 professors of the society of korean obstetrics and gynecology. We surveyed on pattern identifications, symptoms and prescriptions of infertility treatment, diagnosis of ovulation and pregnancy, and duration of infertility treatment. Results : By analysis of survey papers, We choose Kidney yang deficiency, Kidney yin deficiency, Blood deficiency, Liver depression, Dampness-phlegm, Dampness-heat, Static blood pattern for infertility treatment. And 41 items of questionnaire were chosen. Conclusions : We developed the questionnaire for pattern identification of infertility. And further research is necessary for improvement reliabilities and validities of the questionnaire of infertility.

• 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.

• 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.28 no.2
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• pp.120-132
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• 2015

Objectives : This study aims to assess whether Korean medical treatment in infertile couple is effective on clinical pregnancy. Methods : Korean medical treatment using herbal medicine, acupuncture and moxibustion was performed to thirty-one women and one man of infertility from March 2013 to April 2015. Results : After the treatment, nine patients (eight women and 1 man) of infertility became pregnant (28.13%) in thirty-two patients. In nine patients with pregnancy, five patients became spontaneous pregnant. Two patients became pregnant with in vitro fertilization (IVF), and other two patients became pregnant with intrauterine insemination (IUI). Factors influenced pregnancy assessed a shorter duration of infertility. After the treatment, survey of satisfaction in Korean medical treatment in infertility was done. Out of thirty-two patients, convenience and reliability of Korean medical treatment was reported by who had an experience of sterilization surgery. After the assessment, seven patients who had an experience of sterilization surgery and beame pregnant were having more convenience than twelve patients who were not pregnant despite sterilization surgery. Conclusions : This study suggests Korean medical treatment is useful for infertile women and men, in reverse proportion to shorter duration of infertility.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.151-165
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• 2013

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to investigate use condition of Korean medical institution and demand of Korean Medical Treatment Project of Infertility in infertile couple. Methods: Questionnaires were distributed to all members of the incorporated association AGAYA(http://www.agaya.org/) via e-mail and to infertile women who visited to Korean medicine OB & GY outpatient clinic of university Korean medicine hospitals of the country and an infertility specialized Korean medicine hospital. One hundred twenty four of completed questionnaires were analyzed. Results: 1. Korean medical institution utilization rate of infertile couple was 89.6% and was similar with western medical institution utilization rate of 87.1%. 2. 96.8% of infertile couple answered that Korean Medical Treatment Project of Infertility is necessary. And 90.3% of infertile couple answered that herbal medicines should be supported first of all. 3. 90.3% of infertile couple answered that they will participate if Korean Medical Treatment Project of Infertility go ahead. Conclusions: It was confirmed that most of the infertile couple have been received Korean medical treatment for infertility, and think that Korean Medical Treatment Project of Infertility is necessary.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.105-120
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• 2022

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to investigate the perception of Korean Medicine (KM) doctors toward infertility treatment evaluation tools and develop a standard evaluation tool for mental and physical function improvement following Korean medicine treatment. Methods: An online survey (Moaform) was conducted, and responses were analyzed for members of the Society of Korean Medicine Obstetrics and Gynecology and KM doctors who participated in the 2021-2022 traditional Korean medicine treatment infertility support program in Gyeonggi-do. Results: In fertility treatment, the most effective indicators that KM doctors wanted to evaluate other than pregnancy and childbirth were reproductive health indicators, overall health improvement, and stress improvement (33.1%, 21.2%, 18.9%). Furthermore, 45.1% of the respondents had experience using the presented infertility stress evaluation tools. For each evaluation tool, 52.1% and 54.6% of the respondents answered that it 'does not reflect the changing circumstances of the times' and that there were 'too many questions'. As for the developing a standard evaluation tool for infertility treatment in KM, KM doctors expected a simple and clear tool focusing on the pregnancy rate. They also wanted the tool to include a reproductive health index, overall function improvement and stress improvements. Conclusions: The survey confirmed the need to evaluate indicators for reproductive health, mental health, and infertility stress in addition to pregnancy rate to assess the effectiveness of KM infertility treatment. It also confirms the necessity of developing an infertility stress evaluation tool with simplified questions that reflects the changing time.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.18-28
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• 2019

Objectives: The research is aimed at identifying the necessity of the support project of Korean medical treatment in infertility by analyzing the outcome of those subject and providing data for Korean medical treatment in infertility by analyzing the medical treatment of Korean medical doctors involved in the project. Methods: 98 patients who participated in the support project of Korean medical treatment in infertility in Jeollanamdo and 57 Korean medical doctors who participated as therapists were surveyed. Patients were given four months of treatment at local Korean medical clinics. After the treatment was completed, we analyzed the characteristics of the patients' group. And we sent questionnaires to doctors to answer the message. The content of the questionnaire consisted of infertility treatments, a wish for support project. These data were analyzed by frequency and t-test. Results: Analysis of the answer to the questionnaire obtained data on Korean medical treatment in infertility. The most desired thing for future support program was the introduction of husband and wife care. Conclusions: This survey by Korean medical doctors gave us reference data for Korean medical treatment in infertility and the direction in which therapy business should proceed.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.142-156
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• 2021

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to report the results of Korean medicine treatment infertility support program in Chungcheongnam-do in 2019. Methods: Participants of Korean medicine treatment infertility support program were provided with Korean herbal medicine, acupuncture and moxibustion for 3 months and followed up for 3 months after the treatments. A total of 115 women out of 125 applicants completed the treatment, and 106 participants' data was collected. The data containing pregnancy rates, characteristics of subjects, treatments, and satisfaction of the program were analyzed. Results: After the treatment, 18 out of 115 subjects became pregnant and had a pregnancy rate of 15.7%. There were no significant differences in factors such as age, body mass index (BMI), social history, infertility period, and history of infertility treatment between pregnant and non-pregnant groups except smoking. Some of the subjects reported positive changes in the menstrual conditions such as cycle, volume and menstrual pain. More than 80% of the subjects answered that they were satisfied with the program in the survey questionnaire. Conclusions: Based on this report, the clinical data were obtained from the infertility treatment program. This study can be used as basic data to help establish infertility support programs and subsequent policies.