• Journal of People, Plants, and Environment
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.395-410
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• 2019

The purpose of this study was to investigate 199 subfertile women's interest in and needs for forest therapy programs according to their demographic characteristics in a subfertile clinic in Seoul to provide basic data. The results of this study were summarized as follows. First, the perception and experience of subfertile women about forest therapy were all low, but their intention to participate was generally positive. Second, the type of forest therapy preferred by subfertile women was a half-day small group that they can participate with their spouse during weekends. Third, subfertile women expected phytoncide (35.8%) and a high level of oxygen (29.9%) from forest therapy programs. Fourth, subfertile women expected physical and mental health such as improved blood circulation and immunity, and meditation opportunity from forest therapy. Fifth, subfertile women expected from forest therapists understanding and sympathy (62.2%). This study conducted a survey on 199 subfertile women only. Through follow-up studies that involve more subfertile subjects and a broader region, it will be possible to develop more effective forest therapy programs for promoting the physical and mental health of subfertile subjects.

• Journal of People, Plants, and Environment
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• v.22 no.5
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• pp.489-503
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• 2019

This study aimed to analyze the preference of subfertile women for forest therapy programs depending on their emotional characteristics, and to provide basic data for the development of forest therapy programs in order to promote the mental health of subfertile women. Among the surveyed emotional characteristics of subfertile women, the level of emotions including pressure to become pregnant, impatience and frustration were high, while that of emotions including anxiety and fear; depression, hopelessness, helplessness, loneliness and sadness tended to be medium. The level of emotions including shame and guilt tended to be low. The top six forest therapy programs preferred by subfertile women include a deep breath of air /phytoncide, forest bathing/wind bathing/sun bathing, self-esteem recovery program, eating organic foods, low body bathing/foot bathing/hot spring bathing, and breathing/breathing exercises. Subfertile women highly pressured to become pregnant showed significant differences in the preference of the self-esteem recovery program, Domar 's relaxation therapy, NLP therapy, and sleeping in the woods, while women with anxiety and fear showed significant differences in the preference of walking barefoot in forests, mountain walking in silence, listening to water sounds/ hand and foot soak, self-esteem recovery program, NLP therapy, cognitive behavior therapy, aroma therapy, integrated art therapy in forests, forest bathing/wind bathing/sunbathing, a deep breath of air/phytoncide, and observing stars. Women with depression, hopelessness, helplessness, loneliness, and sadness showed significant differences in eating organic foods, self-esteem recovery program, counseling/coaching, and cognitive behavior therapy. The significance of this study was to analyze the preference of subfertile women, as subjects, for forest therapy program. The results of this study are expected to be used as basis data for developing forest therapy programs for subfertile women.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.174-182
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• 2015

Objectives : AMH (Anti-Müllerian Hormone) is considered a sensitive marker of ovarian reserve, and it tends to be included among basic fertility tests. This paper is to report four pregnancies which were achieved by subfertile women with low AMH level after Korean medical treatments. Methods : Four cases of pregnancy by subfertile women, aged 34 to 37, with low AMH level (0.04 to 0.76 ng/mL), after Korean medical treatments between July 2012 and May 2015, were analysed. The patients were diagnosed as Kidney deficiency (腎虛), Blood extravasation (瘀血) and/or Liver Qi stagnation (肝氣 鬱結). Herbal medicine, acupuncture, pharmacopuncture and moxibustion treatments were applied. Results : The four subfertile women with low AMH level achieved pregnancy after Korean medical treatments. Conclusions : The case report suggests that Korean medical treatment can be an effective option for subfertile women with low AMH level before Assisted Reproductive Technology.

• Journal of Korean Medical classics
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.107-124
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• 2015

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to identify Yangsaeng level and pattern identification of subfertility in childbearing aged women according to the pregnancy experience. Methods : Data was collected by structured questionnaire distributed to 217 women(125 women experienced pregnancy, 92 subfertile women) in I city from Nov. to Dec. 2014. For data analysis, Chi-square test, Fisher's exact test, t-test and Pearson's correlation coefficients were performed using SPSS version 19.0. Results : Drinking rate and stress level of subfertile group were higher than pregnancy experience group. Subfertile women group have more disease related to reproductive system, irregularities of the menstrual cycle and dysmenorrhea than pregnancy experience group. Subfertile women showed lower scores for Yangsaeng level but higher scores for all types of pattern identification of subfertility more than those in the women experiencing pregnancy. Conclusions : The results of this study indicate that reproductive health program for the childbearing aged women is necessary before serviced by western or oriental medical treatment for subinfertile(infertile) women. These results can be used for a program based on oriental medicine in order to improve women's health.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.72-84
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• 2020

The purpose of this study is to provide a reference for the development of forest therapy programs for subfertile women. This exploratory study identifies the emotional characteristics of subfertile women and the demands for forest therapy according to the emotional characteristics and provides basic data for the development and operation of forest therapy programs. This study surveyed 200 subfertile women who visited a subfertility hospital in Seoul on 33 items of subfertile women's emotional characteristics and requirements of forest therapy programs. We conducted the frequency analysis, cross-analysis, and one-way ANOVA to determine the correlation and importance between the emotional characteristics of subfertile women and the demands for forest therapy programs using the SPSS 21.0 program. Emotional traits of subfertile women included pressure on pregnancy, anxiety/fear, depression, hopelessness, helplessness, loneliness, sadness, shame/guilt, impatience/frustration, and anger/hypersensitivity. Of these traits, pressure on pregnancy, depression, hopelessness, helplessness, loneliness, sadness, anger/hypersensitivity, and anxiety/fear were particularly high among subfertile women. The demands for forest therapy programs also differed according to the emotional characteristics of subfertile women. There was a significant difference in the operation mode of the subfertile couple's forest therapy program according to the pressure, shame, and guilt of pregnancy. There was a significant difference in the experience of participating in a program according to anxiety and fear and in the reason for not being able to participate in the forest therapy program according to depression, hopelessness, helplessness, loneliness, and sadness. There was a significant difference in couples participating the in the forest therapy program according to impatience and frustration. There was a significant difference in the experience of participating in the forest therapy program and the effect of self-help groups through the forest therapy program for subfertile women according to anger and hypersensitivity. We expect that the results of this study would be useful as the reference data for developing forest therapy programs for the improvement of the mental health of subfertile women.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.131-135
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• 2015

The thyroid hormones act on nearly every cell in the body. Moreover, the thyroid gland continuously interacts with the ovaries, and the thyroid hormones are involved in almost all phases of reproduction. Thyroid dysfunctions are relatively common among women of reproductive age, and can affect fertility in various ways, resulting in anovulatory cycles, high prolactin levels, and sex hormone imbalances. Undiagnosed and untreated thyroid disease can be a cause of subfertility. Subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH), also known as mild thyroid failure, is diagnosed when peripheral thyroid hormone levels are within the normal reference laboratory range, but serum thyroid-stimulating hormone levels are mildly elevated. Thyroid autoimmunity (TAI) is characterized by the presence of anti-thyroid antibodies, which include anti-thyroperoxidase and anti-thyroglobulin antibodies. SCH and TAI may remain latent, asymptomatic, or even undiagnosed for an extended period. It has also been demonstrated that controlled ovarian hyperstimulation has a significant impact on thyroid function, particularly in women with TAI. In the current review, we describe the interactions between thyroid dysfunctions and subfertility, as well as the proper work-up and management of thyroid dysfunctions in subfertile women.

• Journal of Genetic Medicine
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.105-110
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• 2016

Congenital myotonic dystrophy (CMD) which is transmitted in an autosomal-dominant manner, can also be observed in newborns born to asymptomatic parents who have a myotonic dystrophy type 1 or premutation allele, especially from the mother. A mother with myotonic dystrophy could be subfertile and the pregnancy could be complicated with the risk of a preterm birth. Newborns with CMD may demonstrate symptoms such as hypotonia and poor motor activity, as well as respiratory and feeding difficulties. Additionally, CMD has a high mortality rate at birth. Detection of the signs and symptoms during pregnancy is helpful for a prenatal diagnosis of CMD in cases where the family history is not known.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.73-84
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• 2013

Objectives: This study aims to identify associated factors in female infertility treatment using herbal medicine, acupuncture and moxibustion. Methods: Acupuncture and moxibustion treatments were performed with intake of herbal medicines (Jokyungjongoktanggagam-bang, Sutaehwangagam-bang) for six menstrual cycles in 32 subfertile women. The variables selected for initial analysis were age, duration and type of infertility, frequency of previous In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) and live births, weekly frequency of sexual intercourse, number of treatment cycles, endometrial thickness on MCD15 and hormonal parameter (anti-mullerian hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, estrone). Results: Six patients became pregnant (18.75%) and seven patients withdrew. Factors influenced pregnancy were age (${\leq}35$ years), a shorter duration of infertility (<6 years), frequency of IVF (${\leq}3$), anti-mullerian hormone level (>1 ng/ml), and number of treatment cycles(${\leq}3$ cycles). Conclusions: Korean medicine is a useful and optimized treatment option for women with younger age, fewer previous IVF cycles, shorter infertile duration and normal anti-mullerian hormone level at first 3 cycles of treatment.