A qualitative study on the experience of acupuncture treatment in infertile women

Connecting the dots: the role of fatigue in female infertility

Fatigue, an increasingly acknowledged symptom in various chronic diseases, has garnered heightened attention, during the medical era of bio-psycho-social model. Its persistence not only significantly compromises an individual's quality of life but also correlates with chronic organ damage. Surprisingly, the intricate relationship between fatigue and female reproductive health, specifically infertility, remains largely unexplored. Our exploration into the existing body of evidence establishes a compelling link between fatigue with uterine and ovarian diseases, as well as conditions associated with infertility, such as rheumatism. This observation suggests a potentially pivotal role of fatigue in influencing overall female fertility. Furthermore, we propose a hypothetical mechanism elucidating the impact of fatigue on infertility from multiple perspectives, postulating that neuroendocrine, neurotransmitter, inflammatory immune, and mitochondrial dysfunction resulting from fatigue and its co-factors may further contribute to endocrine disorders, menstrual irregularities, and sexual dysfunction, ultimately leading to infertility. In addition to providing this comprehensive theoretical framework, we summarize anti-fatigue strategies and accentuate current knowledge gaps. By doing so, our aim is to offer novel insights, stimulate further research, and advance our understanding of the crucial interplay between fatigue and female reproductive health.

Participants experiences regarding the use of acupuncture as a treatment modality: A qualitative systematic review

BACKGROUND

Acupuncture is a promising modality in clinical practice, where the participants' experiences are crucial to acupuncture's use and effects. However, a comprehensive review synthesising participant experiences throughout treatment sessions is lacking. This study aims to explore the qualitative literature regarding participants' experiences of acupuncture as a potential treatment modality.

METHODS

A qualitative systematic review of existing literature was conducted through AMED, MEDLINE, Scopus, Embase, and Web of Science. The Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) critical appraisal checklist was employed to evaluate research quality. Subsequently, the data were extracted and synthesised utilising the JBI Qualitative Assessment and Review Instrument (QARI) tool and data synthesis was carried out through meta-aggregation.

RESULTS

A total of twenty-eight articles were incorporated into the analysis. Four synthesised findings were identified: (1) Before acupuncture: last trust and hope; (2) During acupuncture: relaxing and calming; (3) After acupuncture: mind-body effects; and (4) Practitioner-participant relationship.

CONCLUSION

The findings highlight the changes participants experienced before and after acupuncture sessions. Implementing additional promotional initiatives for acupuncture can increase public awareness and encourage individuals to consider it an early symptom management option.

REVIEW REGISTRATION

This review was registered in PROSPERO (No. CRD42023475373).

Characteristics and Outcomes of Herbal Medicine for Female Infertility: A Retrospective Analysis of Data from a Korean Medicine Clinic During 2010-2020

Purpose

Few studies have assessed outcomes associated with the use of traditional medicine therapies to manage infertility in clinical practice. The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical characteristics of and infertility treatment effects among patients who visited a Korean medicine (KM) clinic to aid in achieving pregnancy. This study consisted of a 10-year analysis of patient records from a KM clinic.

Methods

A retrospective 10-year (2010–2020) chart analysis was performed using the medical records of infertile patients who visited a KM clinic in South Korea for fertility treatment (ICD-10, infertility symptoms: 59 codes).

Results

Of the 6194 patients who visited the clinic during the selected time frame, 1786 were female patients seeking fertility treatment to achieve pregnancy. Among the 1786 infertile women, 586 women succeeded in becoming pregnant (32.8%). Among the 586 patients who became pregnant, 476 women had received KM, 92 had been treated using KM and in vitro fertilization (IVF), and 18 had received KM and undergone intrauterine insemination (IUI). The live birth rates achieved with these treatments were 66.0%, 68.8%, and 66.7%, respectively. The most frequently prescribed medicines were Gamiboher-tang (Jiaweiwuxu-tang), Gamiguibi-tang (Jiaweiguipi-tang), and Gamidanggui-san (Jiaweidanggui-san). Additionally, the most frequent adjunct therapies administered to these patients were acupuncture and moxibustion.

Conclusion

Infertility therapies using KM may be a successful option to treat infertility when used alone or in addition to IVF and IUI. However, further pharmacological investigations and clinical trials are required to ensure the objectivity of the efficacy evaluation.