The effectiveness of Korean herbal medicine in infertile men with poor semen quality: A prospective observational pilot study

Andrologia. 2019 May;51(4):e13226. doi: 10.1111/and.13226. Epub 2019 Jan 10.

Abstract

We examined the effects and safety of Korean herbal medicine (MYOMI-14) to treat infertile men with low semen quality. This study included 17 patients who received MYOMI-14 for 10 weeks. The primary outcomes were the mean differences between sperm test values. The secondary outcomes were changes in the Fertility Quality of Life and the difference in skin temperature between the thigh and scrotum. Adverse events were also monitored. The average values of sperm concentration, sperm progressive motility and total motile sperm count significantly improved after MYOMI-14 treatment (36.2%, 51.7% and 55.5%, respectively; p < 0.05). The core Fertility Quality of Life and the difference in skin temperature between the thigh and scrotum did not change significantly. No adverse events were observed. MYOMI-14 improved the semen quality of infertile men without adverse effects. Additional studies in a larger population and longer prospective randomised clinical trials are needed to confirm these results.

Keywords: male infertility; semen analysis; traditional Korean medicine.

Publication types

  • Observational Study

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Drugs, Chinese Herbal / pharmacology
  • Drugs, Chinese Herbal / therapeutic use*
  • Humans
  • Infertility, Male / drug therapy*
  • Infertility, Male / psychology
  • Male
  • Medicine, Korean Traditional / methods*
  • Pilot Projects
  • Prospective Studies
  • Quality of Life
  • Sperm Count
  • Sperm Motility / drug effects*
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Drugs, Chinese Herbal