More than half of patients undergoing fertility treatment use complementary and alternative medicine

Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) comprises a variety of different types of vitamins, minerals, supplements and various poorly documented treatments. In the December issue of Danish Medical Journal, Soegaard and Knudsen present the results of a cross-sectional survey conducted at the second largest danish fertility clinic at Horsens Regional Hospital. In this study, 277 women and men answered a questionnaire on the use of vitamins and minerals, omega-3 fatty acids, herbs and alternative treatment including reflexology, acupuncture, craniosacral therapy, massage, mindfulness and osteopathy. The study found that 53% of the patients initiating and undergoing fertility treatment had used CAM and that previous fertility treatment was related to an even higher use. The authors also report that only 53% of the participating women used folic acid, which is the only recommended supplement, as it has been shown that it prevents birth defects and improves the chance of achieving and maintaining a pregnancy. <p>The authors also report that only 53% of the participating women used folic acid, which is the only recommended supplement, as it has been shown that it prevents birth defects and improves the chance of achieving and maintaining a pregnancy.</p>