Effects of traditional Korean medicine on anti-Müllerian hormone in patients with diminished ovarian reserve: A retrospective study. (February 2016) - Jo, Junyoung
Highlights: This study is aimed to evaluate the effect of traditional Korean medicine (TKM) on AMH levels in patients with diminished ovarian reserve (DOR). The AMH levels in patients aged <38 years with DOR increased from 0.30 ± 0.26 ng/mL before treatment to 0.63 ± 0.59 ng/mL after treatment. TKM may provide an effective option for patients aged <38 years with DOR. Abstract: Objective: The purpose of the present study is to retrospectively evaluate the effect of traditional Korean medicine (TKM) on ovarian reserve by measuring serum anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) levels in patients with diminished ovarian reserve (DOR). Study design: We performed a retrospective chart review of patients with DOR who had received TKM for at least 2 months and had undergone serum AMH tests before and after TKM treatment. A total of 22 patients with DOR were included in the study. Results: There were no significant differences in AMH levels before and after TKM in all patients ( n = 22, p = 0.237). However, when the study population was divided into two age groups (<38 ( n = 12) and ≥38 years ( n = 10)) to determine whether there was a age-related difference in the effect of TKM with DOR, a significant increase in AMH levels before and after TKM was observed in the age <38 ( p < 0.05). Conclusions: TKM may provide an effective option for patients aged <38 years with DOR, but it should be interpreted cautiously as more rigorous research is needed. Further studies in a larger population are needed to confirm these results and to evaluate the effects of improved ovarian reserve on fertility outcomes following TKM in patients with DOR.