• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• 제43권1호
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• pp.26-30
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• 2016

Objective: We aimed to investigate the prevalence of erectile dysfunction (ED) and the usage of phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitors for ED treatment in infertile couples. Methods: A total of 260 male partners in couples reporting infertility lasting at least 1 year were included in this study. In addition to an evaluation of infertility, all participants completed the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF)-5 questionnaire to evaluate their sexual function. The participants were asked about their use of PDE5 inhibitors while trying to conceive during their partner's ovulatory period and about their concerns regarding the risks of PDE5 inhibitor use to any eventual pregnancy and/or the fetus. Results: Based on the IIEF-5 questionnaire, 41.5% of the participants (108/260) were classified as having mild ED (an IIEF-5 score of 17-21), while 10.4% of the participants (27/260) had greater than mild ED (an IIEF-5 score of 16 or less). The majority (74.2%, 193/260) of male partners of infertile couples had a negative perception of the safety of using a PDE5 inhibitor while trying to conceive. Only 11.1% of men (15/135) with ED in infertile couples had used a PDE5 inhibitor when attempting conception. Conclusion: ED was found to be common in the male partners of infertile couples, but the use of PDE5 inhibitors among these men was found to be very low. The majority of male partners were concerned about the risks of using PDE5 inhibitors when attempting to conceive. Appropriate counseling about this topic and treatment when necessary would likely be beneficial to infertile couples in which the male partner has ED.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• 제31권4호
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• pp.235-244
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• 2004

Objective: The effects on spermatogenesis by expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and endothelin-1 (ET-1) were investigated. Materials and Methods: Testicular specimens were obtained from 40 infertile males due to primary testicular failure and from 10 fertile males with other urologic problems. The specimens of infertile males were devided into 4 groups according to histologic findings; Sertoli cell only syndrome (A), maturation arrest (B), hypospermatogenesis (C) and sloughing and disorganization (D). VEGF and ET-1 expression were detected with immunohistochemical stain. Results: VEGF expression on Leydig cell was detected in all cases. But, VEGF expression rates on germ cell were significantly higher in infertile group B, C, D compared to that of the control group (p<0.05). ET-1 expression rates on Leydig cell was significantly lower in all infertile group compared to that of the control group (p<0.05). But, ET-1 expression rates on Sertoli cell was significantly higher in all infertile group compared to that of the control group (p>0.05). In germ cell of infertile group, LH, FSH and prolactin were significantly decreased, and estradiol is increased in positive stain group on ET-1 immunohistochemical stain (p<0.05). VEGF and ET-1 expression were not correlated mean seminiferous tubule diameter (p>0.05). Conclusions: Abnormal spermatogenesis would be reflected in VEGF expression in germ cell.

• 여성건강간호학회지
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• 제25권3호
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• pp.273-284
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• 2019

Purpose: As the number of infertile couples has grown, many infertile women have experienced depression during the diagnosis and treatment of their infertility. This study aimed to identify the factors related to depression in infertile women who underwent reproductive treatments. Methods: The study subjects were 149 infertile women who underwent reproductive treatments. The data were collected by self-administered questionnaires from August 1 to December 24, 2018. The questionnaire consisted of questions about fatigue, health-promoting behavior, and depression. Analyses of the descriptive statistics, t-tests, one-way analysis of variance, correlation, and multiple regression were conducted using the SPSS 25.0 Windows program. Results: Thirty-six of the women in the study (24.2%) were in the probably depressed group and 113 (75.8%) were in the definitely depressed group and 100% of the subjects experienced symptoms of depression. Depression was positively correlated with fatigue and negatively correlated with health-promoting behavior. Multiple regression analysis revealed that fatigue and interpersonal relationships were factors significantly related to depression in the model (p<.001), with an explanatory power of 42.6%. Conclusion: The results confirmed that fatigue and interpersonal relationships, which is a subfactor of health-promoting behavior, were factors related to depression. To alleviate depression in infertile women, efforts should be made to identify and reduce psychological and physical fatigue. In addition, minimizing relational difficulties that they experience during an infertility diagnosis and treatment and strengthening positive interpersonal relationships can be positive strategies to alleviate depression.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• 제43권3호
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• pp.174-180
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• 2016

Objective: To investigate psychological distress and fertility quality of life (FertiQoL) in infertile Korean women, and to investigate whether a correlation exists between psychological distress and FertiQoL. Methods: Participants in this study were made up of 141 infertile women and 65 fertile women. We conducted a survey on psychological distress (using the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales [DASS]-42 questionnaire) and administered a FertiQoL questionnaire. The levels of stress hormones (adrenocorticotropic hormone [ACTH] and cortisol) in serum were assessed. Results: The scores for depression ($13.7{\pm}8.4$), anxiety ($10.7{\pm}6.4$), and stress ($18.0{\pm}8.3$) among the infertile women were significantly higher than the scores for depression ($9.4{\pm}7.5$), anxiety ($6.6{\pm}6.0$), and stress ($12.2{\pm}8.3$, p<0.001) among the fertile women. There was no difference in the scores for depression ($13.5{\pm}8.2$, $13.8{\pm}8.6$), anxiety ($10.0{\pm}6.2$, $11.5{\pm}6.6$) and stress ($17.7{\pm}8.4$, $18.4{\pm}8.1$) between younger (${\leq}34$) and older (${\geq}35$) participants. The mind-body (r =-0.495) and emotional (r =-0.590) subscales showed a higher negative correlation with stress compared with other scales of psychological distress. At the same time, the social (r =-0.537) and relational (r =-0.385) subscales showed a higher negative correlation with depression. Levels of cortisol and ACTH in infertile women were $9.1{\mu}g/mL$ and 11.9 pg/mL, respectively, which are within normal ranges. Conclusion: The levels of psychological distress and quality of life in infertile Korean women seem to require psychological intervention. This study provides a baseline measurement of psychological distress and FertiQoL in infertile women in Korea, which will be available for developing psychological interventions for infertile Korean women.

• 대한간호학회지
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• 제43권3호
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• pp.312-320
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• 2013

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to test a model for quality of life among infertile women. This model was based primarily on the concept of the Fertility Quality of Life by Boivin et al. (2011) and the Infertility Resilience Model by Rindenour (2009). Methods: Fifteen measurable variables were used to estimate quality of life. They included endogenous variables such as fertility quality of life and resilience, and exogenous variables such as infertility related stress, depression, marital adjustment, and family support. Data sets (n=203) used for analysis were collected in a general hospital which had, on average, 400 assisted reproductive technologies per month. Results: The assessment of the modified model indicated acceptable fit, with $x^2/d.f$=2.07, GFI=.90, AGFI=.89, NFI=.89, CFI=.91, RMSEA=.07. Depression, infertility related stress, marital adjustment, resilience, and family support had direct influences on quality of life. Conclusion: The results of this study should contribute to the development of nursing intervention programs to enhance quality of life using factors that affect fertiQol (fertility quality of life) of infertile women.

• 대한의료기공학회지
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• 제17권1호
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• pp.64-82
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• 2017

Objectives : This paper is to report a natural pregnancy of Whidam's Su-Gi therapy with korean medical treatment on a infertile patient who had a missed abortion and was repeatedly failed in IVF-ET. Methods : A patient who had infertility problem had a missed abortion, endometrial curettage and IVF-ET several times. In this study, the patient steadily took a Whidam's Su-Gi therapy with korean medical treatment such as herbal medication, acupuncture, and cupping therapy, and so forth. Results : Through taking Whidam's Su-Gi therapy without assisted reproduction techniques, the patient got pregnant naturally. Conclusions : This case suggest that Whidam's Su-Gi therapy with korean medical treatment is effective in treating infertile female after missed abortion and failure in IVF-ET and inducing natural pregnancy. Therefore, there needs to be more trial on infertile patients treated with Su-Gi therapy with korean medical treatment.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• 제40권1호
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• pp.29-32
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• 2013

Objective: To investigate the influence of laparoscopic surgery on the natural conception rate in infertile women with endometriosis during the first year after the operation. Methods: We retrospectively studied 43 infertile women with surgically proven endometriosis. The natural conception rate was investigated for the 12 months after the laparoscopy. Results: The overall pregnancy rate was 41.9% (18/43). 66.7% (12/18) and 94.4% (17/18) of the patients conceived within postoperative 3 months and 6 months, respectively. The spontaneous pregnancy rate was not associated with the severity of endometriosis or laparoscopic findings or the type of surgery. The pregnancy rate for stage IV was relatively low (20.0%) compared to stage I, II, and III (35.7%, 44.4%, and 53.3%, respectively), although it did not reach statistical significance. Conclusion: Conservative surgical treatment with laparoscopy and a prompt attempt at natural conception may be effective for infertile patients with endometriosis.

• 여성건강간호학회지
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• 제23권2호
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• pp.145-153
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• 2017

Purpose: This study examined degrees of irrational parenthood cognition, post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), spousal support, and quality of life and investigated factors that influence the quality of life of infertile women. Methods: Research design was a cross sectional correlational survey with a total of 113 female patients receiving treatment for infertility. Data were collected from August 1 to November 30, 2015. The collected data were analyzed using t-test, ANOVA, Pearson's correlation, and multiple regression analysis. Results: The mean score of the quality of life was $59.0{\pm}14.8$. The quality of life was significantly associated with irrational parenthood cognition (r=-.70), post traumatic stress disorder (r=-.65), and spousal support (r=.56). The factors significantly affecting the quality of life in infertile women were irrational parenthood cognition (${\beta}=-.45$), post traumatic stress disorder (${\beta}=-.34$), and spousal support (${\beta}=-.32$). The explained variance by these factors was 70.4%, and the regression model was valid (F=89.81, p<.001). Conclusion: This study may contribute to the development of nursing intervention program to improve the quality of life of infertile women.

• 대한한방부인과학회지
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• 제25권4호
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• pp.94-104
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• 2012

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to report the effect of Korean medicine treatments on a female and a male patient who were infertile and failed to in vitro fertilization(IVF) treatment. Methods: The patients are a 30-year-old female who had been diagnosed with the ovulation dysfunction caused by the depression of ovarian function, and a 33-year-old male who had been diagnosed with sperm defect. The female patient alone underwent Korean medicine treatment after the eighth failure in IVF treatment and the male patient received Korean medicine treatment along with his wife after he failed in the first IVF treatment. The Korean medicine applied include herb-medicine administration, acupuncture, moxibustion, Jwa-Hun, and Du-Han-Jok-Yeol treatment. Results: Through Korean medicine treatment the female patient had succeeded in the IVF treatment and she also recovered completely from allergic rhinitis. The male patient whose wife also received Korean medicine treatment with him got his wife pregnant naturally. Conclusions: This result concludes that Korean medicine treatment is effective in infertile patients. Therefore, there needs to be more of subsequent research on infertile patients that is based on Korean medicine treatment.

• 여성건강간호학회지
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• 제25권2호
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• pp.207-218
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• 2019

Purpose: To compare reproductive health promoting behaviors (RHPBs) of infertile women with those of normal women and identify effects of RHPB on infertility. Methods: A total of 148 females (73 infertile women and 75 normal women) were enrolled in this study. Measurements included their general characteristics and RHPB using self-report questionnaires. Data were analyzed with descriptive statistics, ${\chi}^2$ test, ANCOVA, and hierarchical logistic regression using SPSS. Results: There were significant difference in incomes, number of family, number of term deliveries, and number of abortions according to infertility diagnosis. Mean duration of infertility was 32.16 months. Only 12.32% women had known cause of infertility. The most common cause of infertility was unknown. Mean RHPB score was 3.98 for infertile women and 4.41 for normal women. In logistic regression, total RHPB (odds ratio [OR], 0.21) and safe sex of RHPB (OR, 0.66) were significant factors influencing infertility. Infertile women's total RHPB and subcategories of RHPB (safe sex behavior and sexual transmitted disease [STD] prevention) were lower than those of normal women. Conclusion: For infertility women, RHPB-related intervention programs are needed, especially information about safe sex behavior and STD prevention.