About 10–15% of couples have difficulty conceiving at some point in their reproductive lives and thus have to seek specialist fertility care. One of the most commonly used treatment options is in vitro fertilization (IVF) and its related expansions. Despite many recent technological advances, the average IVF live birth rate per single initiated cycle is still only 30%. Consequently, there is a need to find new therapies to promote the efficiency of the procedure. Many patients have turned to complementary and alternative medical (CAM) treatments as an adjuvant therapy to improve their chances of success when they undergo IVF treatment. At present, several CAM methods have been used in infertile couples with IVF, which has achieved obvious effects. However, biologically plausible mechanisms of the action of CAM for IVF have not been systematically reviewed. This review briefly summarizes the current progress of the impact of CAM on the outcomes of IVF and introduces the mechanisms. 1. Introduction With rapid economic development, lifestyle changes, and increased environmental pollution, the incidence of infertility has gained increased worldwide attention. Almost 10–15% of couples have suffered from infertility and seek specialist fertility care worldwide [1]. In vitro fertilization-embryo transfer (IVF-ET) is the most commonly used treatment option for these couples [2]. For many people, it provides the last possibility for pregnancy. Despite many recent technological advances, the average IVF live birth rate per single initiated cycle is still only 30% [3]. At the same time, the latent safety problems associated with using large doses of ovulation stimulants to obtain more eggs for IVF cannot be ignored [4]. Furthermore, IVF is an expensive procedure, and some couples can afford only a limited number of treatments. Repeated cycles will place enormous economic pressure on the patients. Consequently, there is a need to maximize the efficiency of the procedure [5]. Many patients have turned to complementary and alternative medical (CAM) treatments as an adjuvant therapy to improve their chances of success when they undergo IVF treatment [6–8]. CAM has been defined as diagnosis, treatment, and/or prevention which complements mainstream medicine by contributing to a common whole, satisfying a demand not met by orthodoxy or diversifying the conceptual frameworks of medicine [9]. Recently, complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) modalities have become a popular therapy all over the world as a health care option due to the apparent acceptance of
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