Korean medicines for poor ovarian reserve in infertility: A protocol for a multicenter observational study

INTRODUCTION: Many infertile patients have used Korean medicines (KMs) as a primary or adjuvant therapeutic method to improve in vitro fertilization success rates. The aim of this multicenter observational study is to investigate the effects of KMs on poor ovarian reserve (POR) in infertile patients. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: We will perform a prospective multicenter observational study. This study will recruit 50 women between 25 and 44 years of age with infertility caused by POR from among patients who visit the KM clinic. All participants will visit the KM clinic on the 2nd or 3rd day of menstruation to receive the KMs. KM treatment will be delivered for 3 menstrual cycles (3 months) and will include herbal decoction, acupuncture, or moxibustion on demand. Every participant will be assessed based on KM clinical symptoms, a quality of life questionnaire, and ovarian reserve test results. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: The study was approved by Institutional Review Board of Semyung University (SMU-IM-190501). The results will be published in a peer-reviewed journal and will be disseminated electronically and in print. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: Clinical Research Information Service: KCT0004209.