Journal of East-West Nursing Research (동서간호학연구지)

East-west Nursing Research Institute, Kyung Hee University (경희대학교 동서간호학연구소)
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Korean Medicine for Women Infertility

여성 난임과 한의학 (다낭성난소증후군으로 인한 난임의 한양방 치료)

  • Hwang, Deok-sang (Department of Gynecology of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University Medician Center)
  • Received : 2022.11.09
  • Accepted : 2022.11.15
  • Published : 2022.11.30
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Abstract

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.

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