Abstract
A total of 157 infertile patients diagnosed as having unexplained infertility who were treated unsuccessfully by Western so-called step up therapy, were treated with Kampo therapy following diagnosis by "zheng". Following Kampo therapy 40 pregnancies and 32 live births (live birth rate; 40.5%) were achieved after clomiphene, 22 pregnancies and 16 live births (32.5%) after clomiphene-AIH, and 11 pregnancies and 5 live births (20.7%) after IVF-ET. Kami-Shoyo-San was used in the majority of regimens (45.2%), followed by Toki-Syakuyaku-San (22.9%) and Keishi-Bukuryo-Gan (21.7%). The etiology of infertility in the majority of patients has been considered sporadic ovarian dysfunctions that are not indication for AIH and IVF-ET. Clomiphene suppreses cervical mucous secretion and endometrial proliferation, which may cause iatrogenic infertility. When cervical mucous volume is decreased and the Huhner-test result is poor, therapy is stepped up to clomiphene-AIH, but this therapy cannot overcome the suppressive effects of endometrial proliferation caused by clomiphene. Because of this, final step-up to IVF-ET should be made. Kami-Shoyo-San administered by "zheng" improved ovarian function associated with increased cervical mucous volume and endometrial proliferation. The first choice of therapy for ovarian dysfunctional infertilities that do not involve tubal disorder or male disorder should be Kampo therapy diagnosed by "zheng".
