Seoul, January 3, 2026 — A coalition of Korean medical groups is calling for an end to government funding for infertility treatments utilizing traditional oriental medicine, citing concerns over efficacy and patient safety. The groups argue that these treatments, promoted without rigorous scientific backing, pose potential risks to both mothers and developing fetuses.
Questioning the Science Behind Traditional Treatments
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Is oriental medicine infertility treatment truly effective, or is it putting patients at risk?
- The Korean Medical Association, along with several obstetrics and gynecology societies, is demanding a halt to public funding for oriental medicine infertility treatments.
- Data suggests the clinical pregnancy rate from these treatments (12.5% over 7.7 months from 2017-2019) is significantly lower than natural pregnancy rates (25% or higher).
- Concerns exist regarding the use of herbal medicines with potential risks of fetal deformity, miscarriage, and organ toxicity.
- The groups are advocating for a public hearing involving both medical and oriental medicine practitioners to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of these treatments.
The Korean Medical Association, the Korean Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the Korean Society of Obstetrics and Gynecologists, and the Korean Association of Obstetrics and Gynecology Practitioners announced their joint stance at a press conference held at the Medical Association Center in Yongsan-gu, Seoul on January 3rd. They emphasized that infertility treatment is a specialized field with direct implications for the health of both parents and the safety of the unborn child.
“Any attempt by the state to support or incorporate oriental medicine infertility treatment that has not been sufficiently scientifically verified into the institutional system is a direct threat to the public’s right to health,” the organizations stated.
Effectiveness Data Raises Concerns
An analysis by the Korea Medical Policy Institute, examining 103 local government-funded oriental medicine infertility projects between 2017 and 2019, revealed a clinical pregnancy rate of just 12.5% over 7.7 months. This rate is less than half of the natural pregnancy rate observed during the same period, which ranged from 25% or higher.
The medical groups also expressed alarm over the composition of many herbal prescriptions used in these treatments. They highlighted that several ingredients have been linked to potential risks, including fetal deformities, miscarriage, and organ toxicity when used during pregnancy. “It is unacceptable to recommend to infertile women treatment that does not even guarantee minimal safety and to support it with national finances,” they asserted.
Call for Public Hearing and Scientific Verification
The organizations are urging the government to convene a public hearing, ensuring equal representation from both the medical and oriental medicine communities. The purpose of this hearing would be to thoroughly assess the effectiveness and safety of oriental medicine infertility treatments before any further public funding is allocated. They believe a rigorous scientific evaluation is crucial to protect the health and well-being of individuals seeking fertility assistance.
