Complementary and Alternative Medicine Methods Used by Turkish Infertile Women and Their Effect on Quality of Life

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to assess the rate of women receiving treatment of infertility who use complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), CAM methods, and the effect of these methods on their quality of life. This cross-sectional and descriptive study was conducted with 797 women applying to the in vitro fertilization center of a private hospital located in Istanbul, Turkey. The data were collected using the Personal Information Form and the Fertility Quality of Life Questionnaire. Fertility Quality of Life Questionnaire is scored between 0 and 100. High scores signify high quality of life. The data were assessed by using mean, standard deviation, number, percentage, t test, and 1-way analysis of variance test. It was found that 36.9% of the women used CAM and 17.9% used CAM along with the infertility treatment. Educational level of infertile women, educational level of their husbands, income level, regular drug use, infertility factor, the use of CAM, and the use of CAM and infertility treatment statistically significantly affected the quality of life (P < .05). The mostly preferred CAM was prayer/worship (25.1%) and phytotherapy (15.2%). The participants had a mean score of 68.79 +/- 12.99 from overall Fertility Quality of Life Questionnaire questionnaire. The quality of life of the participants was at a good level. The use of acupuncture and phytotherapy significantly affected the quality of life. Since phytotherapy may interact with the drugs, it is important for nurses to routinely ask patients about their use of phytotherapy. Further evidence-based studies on these practices need to be conducted.