The use of complementary and alternative fertility treatment in couples seeking fertility care: data from a prospective cohort in the United States

Smith, James F.; Eisenberg, Michael L.; Millstein, Susan G.; Nachtigall, Robert D.; Shindel, Alan W.; Wing, Holly; Cedars, Marcelle; Pasch, Lauri; Katz, Patricia P.; Infertility Outcomes Program Project Group,

doi:10.1016/j.fertnstert.2010.02.054

« Previous Next »Fertility and Sterility
Volume 93, Issue 7 , Pages 2169-2174, 1 May 2010

The use of complementary and alternative fertility treatment in couples seeking fertility care: data from a prospective cohort in the United States

James F. Smith, M.D., M.S.
- Department of Urology, University of California, San Francisco, California
- Department of Obstetrics, University of California, San Francisco, California
- Reprint requests: James F. Smith, M.D., M.S., Assistant Professor, Department of Urology, University of California, San Francisco, 1600 Divisadero Street, San Francisco, CA 94143-1695 (FAX: 415-885-7443).
Michael L. Eisenberg, M.D.
- Department of Urology, University of California, San Francisco, California
Susan G. Millstein, Ph.D.
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Francisco, California
Robert D. Nachtigall, M.D.
- Department of Obstetrics, University of California, San Francisco, California
Alan W. Shindel, M.D.
- Department of Urology, University of California, San Francisco, California
Holly Wing, M.A.
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, California
Marcelle Cedars, M.D.
- Department of Obstetrics, University of California, San Francisco, California
Lauri Pasch, Ph.D.
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Francisco, California
Patricia P. Katz, Ph.D.
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, California
Infertility Outcomes Program Project Group

Received 10 July 2009; received in revised form 23 February 2010; accepted 23 February 2010. published online 24 March 2010.

Objective

To determine the prevalence of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use among couples seeking fertility care and to identify the predictors of CAM use in this population.

Design

Prospective cohort study.

Setting

Eight community and academic infertility practices.

Patient(s)

A total of 428 couples presenting for an infertility evaluation.

Intervention(s)

Interviews and questionnaires.

Main Outcome Measure(s)

Prevalence of complementary and alternative medicine therapy.

Result(s)

After 18 months of observation, 29% of the couples had utilized a CAM modality for treatment of infertility; 22% had tried acupuncture, 17% herbal therapy, 5% a form of body work, and 1% meditation. An annual household income of ≥$200,000 (odds ratio 2.8, relative to couples earning <$100,000), not achieving a pregnancy (odds ratio 2.3), and a positive attitude toward CAM use at baseline were independently associated with CAM use.

Conclusion(s)

A substantial minority of infertile couples use CAM treatments. CAM was chosen most commonly by wealthier couples, those not achieving a pregnancy, and those with a baseline belief in the effectiveness of CAM treatments.

Key Words: Complementary and alternative medicine, motivation, outcome, prospective, infertility

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J.S. has nothing to disclose. M.E. has nothing to disclose. S.M. has nothing to disclose. R.N. has nothing to disclose. A.S. has nothing to disclose. H.W. has nothing to disclose. M.C. has nothing to disclose. L.P. has nothing to disclose. P.K. has nothing to disclose.

Supported by grant HD37074 from the National Institute for Child Health and Human Development.

PII: S0015-0282(10)00347-X

doi:10.1016/j.fertnstert.2010.02.054

« Previous Next »Fertility and Sterility
Volume 93, Issue 7 , Pages 2169-2174, 1 May 2010

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