The effects of traditional Korean medicine in infertile male patients with poor semen quality: A retrospective study

IntroductionApproximately fifteen percent of couples have difficulty conceiving, with male infertility being the contributory factor for about half of all cases of infertile couples. This retrospective study was designed to evaluate the pregnancy rates of couples after infertile men with poor semen quality had received traditional Korean medicine (TKM).MethodsThis study was performed at a private Korean medicine hospital in Seoul, Republic of Korea between November 2013 and March 2015. Seventeen infertile male patients with poor semen quality, with spouses under the age of 35 and without known female infertility factors were treated with Korean herbal medicine and/or acupuncture for at least six weeks. Data were obtained from the patients' medical records and through telephone interviews, 6 months to 12 months after TKM treatment.ResultsOf the seventeen patients who continued unprotected intercourse after TKM treatment, twelve had spouses that subsequently conceived spontaneously (70.5%) within a year after TKM. Two patients had babies after intra uterine insemination (IUI) and in vitro fertilization (IVF), respectively.ConclusionsTKM may provide an effective option for infertile male patients with poor semen quality. Further prospective studies with larger populations as well as randomised controlled trials are needed to confirm these results.