Table 2 Types and modes of CAM use among couples seeking infertility treatment (n = 87)
Frequency n (%) | |
|---|---|
Types of CAM modalities used among males (n,%)* | |
Functional foods | 34 (82.9%) |
Spiritual/ prayer therapy | 13 (31.7%) |
Vitamins and minerals | 12 (29.3%) |
Herbal therapies | 5 (12.2%) |
Over the counter supplements | 2 (4.9%) |
Types of CAM modalities used among females (n,%)* | |
Spiritual/ prayer therapy | 26 (56.5%) |
Herbal therapies | 20 (43.5%) |
Over the counter supplements | 16 (34.8%) |
Vitamins and minerals | 7 (15.2%) |
Reasons for CAM use among males (n,%)* | |
Improvement of sperm characteristics | 37 (90%) |
Relax, feel better psychologically and provide energy | 12 (29.3%) |
Relief of other reproductive related conditions | 2 (4.9%) |
Reasons for CAM use among females (n,%)* | 6 (6.9%) |
Enhance chances of pregnancy | 40 (87%) |
Relax, feel better psychologically and provide energy | 19 (41.3%) |
Uterine and ovulatory related reasons | 17 (37%) |
Relief of other reproductive related conditions | 3 (4.3%) |
How CAM was chosen (n,%)* | |
Personal choice | 22 (25.3%) |
Friends | 42 (48.3%) |
Media (Internet, magazines, TV) | 29 (33.3%) |
Health practitioner | 6 (6.9%) |
Health food shop | 2 (2.3%) |
Family beliefs | 28 (32.2%) |
Frequency of CAM use (n,%) | |
Only once | 12 (13.8%) |
Regularly (2 or more per week for min a month) | 61 (70.1%) |
Rarely | 14 (16.1%) |
Why have you used CAM (n,%)* | |
Disappointment from conventional medicine | 8 (9.2%) |
Feeling of having no alternative | 10 (11.5%) |
Belief in the advantages of CAM | 49 (56.3%) |
Trying because of a suggestion | 45 (51.7%) |
Feeling after CAM use (n,%) | |
Feeling stronger, physically better and in good psychological condition | 43 (49.4%) |
No change or physically worse and in bad psychological condition | 44 (50.6%) |
Usefulness of CAM (n,%) | |
Not at all | 32 (36.8%) |
Some | 29 (33.3%) |
A lot | 15 (17.2%) |
Can’t tell | 11 (12.6%) |
Reporting CAM use to the doctor (n,%) | |
No | 76 (87.4%) |
Yes | 11 (12.6%) |
Side effects from CAM use (n,%) | |
No | 81 (93.1%) |
Yes | 6 (6.9%) |
Use of CAM again | |
No | 34 (39.1%) |
Yes | 53 (60.9%) |
Recommend CAM to other infertile patients | |
No | 42 (48.3%) |
Yes | 45 (51.7%) |
Reasons for not using CAM among non-users (n = 126) * | |
Never heard of it | 6 (4.8%) |
Afraid of the side effects | 25 (19.8%) |
Do not believe in it | 61 (48.4%) |
The doctor didn’t prescribe it | 67 (53.2%) |
Not to have additional burden | 12 (9.5%) |
Other** | 26 (20.6%) |