• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.49 no.1
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• pp.70-73
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• 2022

Objective: This study was conducted to assess the efficacy of subcutaneous granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) for treating thin endometrium. Methods: Data from 88 infertile women with thin endometrium (<7 mm) aged 23 to 40 years were evaluated retrospectively over a period of 1 year. In group 1, subcutaneous infusion of G-CSF (300 ㎍/mL) was administered to 44 women along with other supplemental treatments. If the lining did not exceed 7 mm within 72 hours, a second infusion was administered. In group 2, which also had 44 women, only estradiol valerate and sildenafil were administered, while subcutaneous G-CSF infusion was not. Embryo transfers were performed once the lining exceeded 7.5 mm. The efficacy of G-CSF was evaluated by assessing the thickness of the endometrium before embryo transfer, pregnancy rates, and clinical pregnancy rates. Results: There were no differences between the groups regarding demographic variables, egg reserves, sperm parameters, the number of embryos transferred, and embryo quality. The pregnancy rate was significantly higher in group 1 (60%, 24 of 40 cases) than in group 2 (31%, 9 of 29 cases) (p<0.001). The clinical pregnancy rate was also significantly higher in group 1 (55%) than in group 2 (24%) (p<0.001). Conclusion: Subcutaneous G-CSF infusion improved the thickness of the endometrium when it was thin. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first documented study to clearly demonstrate the benefits of subcutaneous G-CSF infusion for treating thin endometrium.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.49-56
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• 2010

Objective: To investigate assisted reproductive technology (ART) outcomes in women with WHO class I anovulation compared with control group. Design: Retrospective case-control study. Methods: Twenty-three infertile women with hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (H-H) who undertook ART procedure from August 2003 to January 2009 were enrolled in this study. A total of 59 cycles (H-H group) were included; Intra-uterine insemination with super-ovulation (SO-IUI, 32 cycles), in vitro fertilization with fresh embryo transfer (IVF-ET, 18 cycles) and subsequent frozenthawed embryo transfer (FET, 9 cycles). Age and BMI matched 146 cycles of infertile women were collected as control group; 64 cycles of unexplained infertile women for SO-IUI and 54 cycles of IVF-ET and 28 cycles of FET with tubal factor. We compared ART and pregnancy outcomes such as clinical pregnancy rate (CPR), clinical abortion rate (CAR), and live birth rate (LBR) between the two groups. Results: There was no difference in the mean age ($32.7{\pm}3.3$ vs. $32.6{\pm}2.7$ yrs) and BMI ($21.0{\pm}3.1$ vs. $20.8{\pm}3.1kg/m^2$) between two groups. Mean levels of basal LH, FSH, and $E_2$ in H-H group were $0.62{\pm}0.35$ mIU/ml, $2.60{\pm}2.30$ mIU/ml and $10.1{\pm}8.2$ pg/ml, respectively. For ovarian stimulation, H-H group needed higher total amount of gonadotropin injected and longer duration for ovarian stimulation (p<0.001). In SO-IUI cycles, there was no significant difference of CPR, CAR, and LBR between the two groups. In IVF-ET treatment, H-H group presented higher mean $E_2$ level on hCG day ($3104.8{\pm}1020.2$ pg/ml vs. $1878.3{\pm}1197.7$ pg/ml, p<0.001) with lower CPR (16.7 vs. 37.0%, p=0.11) and LBR (5.6 vs. 33.3%, p=0.02) and higher CAR (66.7 vs. 10.0%, p=0.02) compared with the control group. However, subsequent FET cycles showed no significant difference of CPR, CAR, and LBR between the two groups. Conclusion: H-H patients need higher dosage of gonadotropin and longer duration for ovarian stimulation compared with the control groups. Significantly poor pregnancy outcomes in IVF-ET cycles of H-H group may be due to detrimental endometrial factors caused by higher $E_2$ level and the absence of previous hormonal exposure on endometrium.

• Women's Health Nursing
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.72-83
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• 2020

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of uncertainty and spousal support on infertility-related quality of life (QoL) in women undergoing assisted reproductive technologies. Methods: In this correlational survey study, 172 infertile women undergoing assisted reproductive technologies for infertility treatment at M hospital in Seoul participated. Data collection took place at the outpatient department of M hospital using a self-report questionnaire from July to August 2019. Data were analyzed using SPSS for Windows version 28.0. Results: The mean scores for uncertainty, spousal support, and infertility-related QoL were 28.35 (out of 50), 86.67 (out of 115), and 57.98 (out of 100), respectively. Infertility-related QoL was positively correlated with spousal support and negatively correlated with uncertainty. According to the regression analysis, infertility-related QoL was significantly affected by uncertainty, total number of assisted reproductive technology treatments, marriage duration, subjective health status, the financial burden of infertility testing, and the presence of a burdensome person. These variables had an explanatory power of 35.0% for infertility-related QoL. Conclusion: Uncertainty was an important factor influencing infertility-related QoL among women undergoing assisted reproductive technologies. It is necessary to develop and implement a nursing intervention program focused on reducing various forms of uncertainty during assisted reproductive procedures and to consider other factors affecting infertility-related QoL in the clinical setting.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.44 no.2
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• pp.111-117
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• 2017

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate pregnancy outcomes and the live birth rate at 1-year age increments in women aged ${\geq}40years$ undergoing fresh non-donor in vitro fertilization (IVF) and embryo transfer (ET), and to identify predictors of success in these patients. Methods: This retrospective study was performed among women ${\geq}40years$ of age between 2004 and 2011. Of the 2,362 cycles that were conducted, ET was performed in 1,532 (73.1%). Results: The clinical pregnancy rate and live birth rate in women ${\geq}40years$ significantly decreased with each year of increased age (p<0.001). Maternal age (odds ratio [OR], 0.644; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.540-0.769; p<0.001), basal follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels (OR, 0.950; 95% CI, 0.903-0.999; p=0.047), the number of high-quality embryos (OR, 1.258; 95% CI, 1.005-1.575; p=0.045), and the number of transferred embryos (OR, 1.291; 95% CI, 1.064-1.566; p=0.009) were significant predictors of live birth. A statistically significant increase in live birth rates was seen when ${\geq}3$ embryos were transferred in patients 40 to 41 years of age, whereas poor pregnancy outcomes were seen in patients ${\geq}43years$ of age, regardless of the number of transferred embryos. Moreover, the cumulative live birth rate increased in patients 40 to 42 years of age with repeated IVF cycles, but the follicle-stimulating hormone in those ${\geq}43years$ of age rarely showed an increase. Conclusion: IVF-ET has acceptable outcomes in those < 43 years of age when a patient's own oocytes are used. Maternal age, basal FSH levels, and the number of high-quality embryos and transferred embryos are useful predictors of live birth.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.71-77
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• 2010

Objectives: We investigated whether oriental medical therapy influences the results of in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer. Methods: 19 women with infertility were treated by oriental treatment from August 1999 to June 2000 in the department of obstetrics and gynecology of an oriental medical center. The women were planning in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer after oriental medicine treatment. The data from the women was analyzed, we obtained the following results. Results: The average age of infertile women was $35.42{\pm}4.86$; infertility caused by male factor or tubal factor were the most frequent. The average number of previous failed IVF treatments was $2.21{\pm}1.81$. The number of aspirated oocytes was $9.00{\pm}6.09$ in IVF cycle before oriental therapy, increasing to $9.80{\pm}5.41$ after therapy, but it was not statistically significant. In IVF before oriental therapy, the average number of embryos transfer was $3.20{\pm}1.90$, and it significantly increased to $4.40{\pm}1.45$ after treatment. The quality points of embryos were $10.00{\pm}6.02$ before treatment, but statistically significantly improved to $14.07{\pm}4.98$ after. The characteristics of women being pregnant and non-successful women were compared with age, period of taking herbal medicine and the number of failed IVF treatments, but there was no significant difference. Conclusion: Oriental treatment before IVF could be expected to have good results in treatment of infertility.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.63-84
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• 2024

Objectives: This study aims to understand the stress patterns and coping behaviors of women with infertility and to improve existing infertility stress assessment tools to develop a tool suited for Korean society. Methods: The study involved 10 women diagnosed with primary or secondary infertility. Data were collected through surveys and in-depth interviews. Participants were recruited voluntarily, and snowball sampling was used for additional recruitment. Data collection occurred from September 2023 to April 2024. Data analysis included Spearman's rank correlation, Mann-Whitney U test, and Kruskal-Wallis test. Interview results were analyzed using text mining and network analysis with Python 3.12. Results: There was a significant correlation between IVF/ICSI treatment and resilience scores, with non-IVF/ICSI groups showing higher resilience scores. Existing infertility stress assessment tools were generally useful but had limitations, such as discomfort with religious expressions and fixed gender roles, as well as issues with the number of items and response scales. Text mining of interview responses revealed key stress-related keywords including worry, depression, burden, pregnancy outcome, and health. Main stressors included uncertainty about pregnancy outcomes, physical discomfort during treatments, economic burdens, and emotional reactions from family and social relationships. Conclusions: This study identified the stress patterns of women with infertility through interviews. It showed the need for a new assessment tool to evaluate and support the complex stressors experienced by these women. Developing a comprehensive tool is essential for better understanding and managing the various stress factors faced by infertile women.

• Journal of Science and Technology Studies
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• v.5 no.1 s.9
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• pp.93-123
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• 2005

This work has following two research goals. First, IVF treatments that have been recently going on in Korea are reexamined from the perspective of women's reproductive rights. Second, the intimate connection between IVF and therapeutic cloning research, in that remnant embryos and eggs that have been secured through IVF treatments have served as a main source of supply for therapeutic cloning research, has been emphasized. The fact that the influencing power of tradition on Korean families and women and IVF techniques eventually joined their hands in support of therapeutic cloning research is noted. Analysis of experiences of infertility by women in the realms of family, medical care during IVF treatment, and therapeutic cloning research that requires continuous supply of eggs leads to following conclusions. First, in the realm of family, infertile women were not only relegated to the status of abnormality but pressured to question their own womanhood. Under this circumstance, IVF treatment helped to reinforce the traditional concept of biological motherhood, thus categorizing married women giving birth to babies and married women who can't or refuses to do so to 'normal ones' and 'abnormal ones' respectively. Second, in the realm of medical care an infertile woman could rediscover her own body during the process of IVF treatment. By going through the processes of hormone treatment, implantation, conception, miscarriage, and so on, she could realize that her own body is understood in diverse ways to her, her family, and the medical profession. Third, in the realm of the state, IVF treatment that was serving as the main supplier of research materials for therapeutic cloning research has been able to avoid controversy in public discourses since the latter has emerged as a signifier of new national economic workhorse for the 21st century. As therapeutic cloning research went into high gear, the status of women as egg providers began to assume a political dimension. Women as egg providers are called upon to take on a paradoxical role as patriotic contributors to national economy on the one hand and as guardians of sacred 'life' on the other hand. The direction and progress of the research will depend on the ways that women comply, compromise, and/or resist the contradiction brought about by being assigned to assume these two identities: the one as a member of the nation requested to serve as a part of national economic development project, even though considered ineligible for financial recompense, and the other one as a guardian of sacred 'life,' even though she have to serve the research that is allowed to create a 'life' to destroy a 'life.'

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.41 no.4
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• pp.165-167
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• 2014

Objective: The objective of this study is to estimate the effects of Inclear, a feminine cleanser, on sperm motility. Methods: Semen samples were obtained from infertile male patients. Following liquefaction, the raw semen samples were diluted with Ham's F-10 nutrient mixture medium containing 0.4% human serum albumin solution at a ratio of 1:3. The semen samples were subsequently centrifuged to separate the seminal plasma from the serum. The supernatant was discarded, and the pellet was resuspended. The sample was again centrifuged to remove cell debris, and the supernatant was removed. The final pellet was gently loosened by resuspension and incubated in medium alone as a control, and in a 10% solution of the medium plus Inclear. A sampling time of 30 minutes was selected on the basis of sperm transport studies. Sperm motility was evaluated with computer-assisted sperm analysis. Results: A total of 20 samples were analyzed. The mean age of patients was $34.40{\pm}2.96years$. There was no difference in sperm concentration and motility in the two samples at 0 minute and 30 minutes of incubation. In both semen samples, the sperm concentration and motility decreased after an incubation period of 30 minutes. However, there was no statistical difference between the samples. Sperm concentration and motility were not significantly different between the control and Inclear samples after 0 minute and 30 minutes of incubation. Conclusion: Inclear has no negative effects on sperm motility. This product can be recommended to pregnancy planners for vaginal hygiene and as a vaginal lubricant.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.27 no.2 s.66
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• pp.44-56
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• 2006

Objectives : This study was to analyze the status of patients with infertility in the department of oriental gynecology in an oriental medical hospital and propose infertility treatment in oriental medicine. Methods : This study was presented with 2,153 cases of infertile women who had visited the department of oriental gynecology in one oriental hospital in Seoul from 2002 to 2004. Results : The total number infertile patients has decreased year by year. The age range of patients was getting higher and the age group between 30 and 35 took up about one half of the total patients. The duration of infertility for less than 3 years held about 50-60% of the total patients, and the mean duration of infertility was $39.18{\pm}29.57$ months (2004). The most common occupations of females were professionals or administrative managers. The secondary infertility was increasing and unexplained infertility increased from 38.2% (in 2002) to 54.4% (in 2004). However the duration of treatment was shorter. This shows that the age range of the patients having oriental-medicine treatment is gradually getting higher and the number of the patients having oriental-medicine treatment and compliance is decreasing. Conclusions : More studies about objectification of oriental medicine need to precede any other studies. Then, it is thought to be necessary to rebuild cooperative relationships between oriental & western medicine through systematic research and political supports and to establish firm foundations of oriental medicine.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.114-128
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• 2023

Objectives: This study was conducted to reflect Korean Medicine doctors (KMD)' perception of lifestyle management in the process of developing a Korean Medicine (KM) Clinical Practice Guidelines (CPG) of female infertility. Methods: We sent four e-mails containing links to online questionnaires to 25,286 KMD belonging to the Association of Korean Medicine. The questionnaire consisted of sexual intercourse, weight, diet, exercise, drinking, smoking, caffeine intake, stress etc. KMD responded to self-administered questionnaires, and we analyzed 786 responds. Results: KMD put stress first among the infertile women's lifestyle management items, weight and sexual intercourse were next. Also KMD put stress first among the spouses' lifestyle management items, drinking and sexual intercourse were next. In relation to sexual intercourse, 'Recognizing the Fertile Window' was the most important. In relation to stress in the emotional domain, 'Depression' and 'Anxiety' were the most important, and in relation to stress in the relationship domain, 'Deteriorating of marital relationship' was the most important. Conclusions: We surveyed the status of KMD' awareness of infertility lifestyle management for patient education, and reflected it in the modification of the CPG for female infertility.