The effectiveness of Chinese herbal medicine in women undergoing in vitro fertilisation and embryo transportation: a systematic review of randomised controlled trials

Background In vitro fertilisation (IVF) has been used as a popular form of artificial reproductive tool (ART) for couples who struggle to conceive. Despite of its growing popularity in the last decade it is not able to show a relative high pregnancy rate (PR) and this can bring much grievance for the couple including emotional and financial burden. Recent studies have shown that adding Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) to IVF treatment raises the chance of PR significantly for women compared to those who did not take CHM.
Aim: This work evaluates the efficacy of CHM in women undergoing IVF treatment.
Methodology: Four randomised controlled trials (RCT’s) (a total of 656 subjects) were included selected by the relevant criteria in order to conduct a systematic review on the effect of CHM on IVF outcomes.
Main Outcome Measure: PR and clinical pregnancy rates (CPR) were taken as the relevant outcomes to conclude the efficacy of the given CHM intervention.
Results: All four studies indicated significant differences in PR between the intervention and control groups in which the intervention groups were in favour. However several potential publication biases were noted and three of four research showed lack of high quality methodology.
Conclusion: Consistency of positive results was yielded from the studies proving CHM can improve IVF outcomes. However, more studies consisting of improved methodological research models and excluding potential biases are urged to proof the significant use of CHM in IVF treatments.

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