A new legislative bill has recently been proposed to drastically expand the mandatory fertility treatment leave up to 30 days. But is that 30-day window truly sufficient to complete a fertility journey? Image courtesy of Gwangju CL Fertility Center The short answer is that it is entirely dependent on the specific clinical case. The exact…

To qualify for health insurance benefits and government financial support for In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) procedures, undergoing a hysterosalpingography (HSG) to evaluate fallopian tube patency is practically an essential diagnostic step An HSG is a specialized radiographic assessment utilized to identify underlying causes of infertility. During the procedure, a contrast medium is introduced into the…

The first piece of news delivered to a couple preparing for an embryo transfer is often deceptively simple: “This embryo is top-tier.” or “It’s a bit disappointing, but it’s mid-grade.” This short, passing sentence can instantly become a source of absolute hope or deep despair. However, we must pause and ask a fundamental question: To…

There is one question that almost every patient preparing for an In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) cycle asks with high frequency: “Is a Day 3 embryo better, or is a Day 5 embryo better?” While this inquiry seems straightforward on the surface, it actually reflects a profound misunderstanding of the core nature of IVF. Reproductive medicine…

If you have been diagnosed with a hydrosalpinx (난관수종) in your fallopian tubes, is it clinically wiser to completely resolve it via surgical removal (salpingectomy), or is it better to opt for a non-surgical intervention? To answer this, let us first explore what causes a hydrosalpinx. Within the female reproductive tract, the fallopian tubes play…

Recently, an increasing number of fertility clinics are implementing Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) therapy into the uterus and ovaries of patients presenting with an exceptionally thin endometrial lining or severe diminished ovarian reserve (DOR). Let us take a deep look into what this treatment entails. PRP therapy has become a major topic of interest among fertility…

The Implantation Truth Governed by the Gut Among women undergoing fertility treatments, the phrase “probiotics are an absolute non-negotiable” is increasingly becoming accepted as common sense. In fact, within online fertility communities, it is not uncommon to hear anecdotes of women who conceived during In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) cycles after rigorously taking probiotic supplements. This…

The Hidden Trap of Prolactin For women actively preparing for pregnancy, the casual assumption that “taking just one minor medication won’t hurt” can introduce an unexpectedly critical variable into their fertility journey. In particular, the fact that common gastrointestinal medications taken for routine stomach discomfort—or certain drugs utilized for long-term management—can profoundly disrupt delicate hormonal…

Junk food is a collective term for fast foods and instant products that are high in calories but low in nutritional value. For the sake of a healthy pregnancy, items like pizza, fried chicken, and donuts should be strictly avoided for the time being. The claim that consuming junk food depletes your sperm count has…

The Hidden Variable in Male Fertility When preparing for pregnancy, a man’s lifestyle choices exert a far more profound impact than most people realize. Among the various behavioral habits scrutinized by fertility specialists, smoking is invariably the first to be flagged. While many men assume that their reproductive health remains resilient during their youth, the…

Among women undergoing fertility treatments, there is a specific dish frequently referred to as an “implantation food”: abalone. It is incredibly easy to find stories on online fertility communities of patients meticulously eating abalone porridge (jeonbok-juk) right before and after their embryo transfers. While abalone is universally celebrated as a highly nutritious delicacy, the question…

When you visit a fertility clinic to achieve a pregnancy, you will almost without exception hear the exact same phrase: “We need to grow multiple eggs.” And right away, the prescriptions follow. Oral medications, followed by hormone injections. At this juncture, most patients do not stop to ask. They do not ask why they need…