Introduction: Female infertility represents an increasing medical and social challenge, affecting a significant proportion of couples of reproductive age. Despite advancements in assisted reproductive technologies, the success rate remains limited, particularly in the presence of inflammatory and hormonal disorders. Thalassotherapy, which involves the use of seawater, marine climate, and products such as algae and peloids, when applied as an adjunctive therapeutic approach, may enhance uterine perfusion in women with implantation failures and increase the chances of achieving pregnancy.
Aim: The objective of the present study is to evaluate the effects of integrating marine therapeutic procedures into the preparation of patients undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF).
Materials and Methods: A literature review was conducted using sources from the European Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology (EJOG) database and other specialised medical literature.
Results and Discussion: A thorough evaluation of the scientific literature indicates that thalassotherapy exerts vasodilatory and anti-inflammatory effects, improves microcirculation, and regulates estrogen and progesterone secretion. It is effective as secondary prevention in pelvic inflammatory diseases, with potential to reduce the risk of adhesions and intrauterine synechiae. Therapeutic agents derived from the Black Sea, Dead Sea, Baikal peat, sulphide, radon, and other mineral waters were used. In a prospective study involving 80 women preparing for IVF due to tubal insufficiency and peritoneal factor, half received intravaginal applications of Dead Sea peloid, while the others underwent phonophoresis and ultrasound therapy. Peloid therapy led to a reduction in chronic endometritis (from 51.7% to 20%) and luteal phase deficiency (from 48.3% to 15%). Additionally, three spontaneous pregnancies were observed, along with a higher pregnancy rate following IVF (40% vs. 15%).
Conclusion: Thalassotherapy shows excellent outcomes as part of preconception care in infertile women, improving IVF success rates and offering the potential for spontaneous conception.
Abdullah KAL, Atazhanova T, Chavez-Badiola A, Shivhare SB. Automation in ART: Paving the Way for the Future of Infertility Treatment. Reprod Sci. 2023 Apr;30(4):1006–16. doi: 10.1007/s43032-022-00941-y. Epub 2022 Aug 3. PMID: 35922741; PMCID: PMC10160149.
Belokrinitskaya T, Frolova N, Belozertceva E. Maternal and Perinatal Outcomes in Pregnancies with Preeclampsia. Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol. 2022;270:e48–e130.
Carson SA, Kallen AN. Diagnosis and Management of Infertility: A Review. JAMA. 2021 Jul 6;326(1):65-76. doi: 10.1001/jama.2021.4788. PMID: 34228062; PMCID: PMC9302705.
ESHRE Guideline Group on the Number of Embryos to Transfer; Alteri A, Arroyo G, Baccino G, Craciunas L, De Geyter C, Ebner T, Koleva M, Kordic K, Mcheik S, Mertes H, Pavicic Baldani D, Rodriguez-Wallberg KA, Rugescu I, Santos-Ribeiro S, Tilleman K, Woodward B, Vermeulen N, Veleva Z. ESHRE guideline: number of embryos to transfer during IVF/ICSI†. Hum Reprod. 2024 Apr 3;39(4):647-657. doi: 10.1093/humrep/deae010. PMID: 38364208; PMCID: PMC10988112.
Fortuna A, Passerini C, Polanco M, Volenski L. Criteria for the effect of thalassotherapy in gynecology. Minerva Ginecol. 1980;32(10):785-789.
Geng T, Cheng L, Ge C, Zhang Y. The effect of ICSI in infertility couples with non-male factor: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Assist Reprod Genet. 2020 Dec;37(12):2929-2945. doi: 10.1007/s10815-020-01970-9. Epub 2020 Oct 19. PMID: 33073301; PMCID: PMC7714870.
Habek D, Cerovac A, Kamerić L, Nevačinović E, Šerak A. Balneogynaecology in the 21st century: increasingly recommended primary and complementary treatment of chronic gynaecological diseases. Med Glas (Zenica). 2021 Feb 1;18(1):1-6. doi: 10.17392/1263-21. PMID: 33219638.
World Health Organization. 1 in 6 people globally affected by infertility [Internet]. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2023 Apr 4 [cited 2025 Sep 24]. Available from: https://www.who.int/news/item/04-04-2023-1-in-6-people-globally-affected-by-infertility
Stamatov S, Karakolev D, Tsvetkova L, editors. Klinichna kurortologiya. Sofia: Meditsina i fizkultura; 1990.
Гатев С, Банков С, Бусаров С, редактори. Ръководство по физикална терапия том 2. София: Медицина и физкултура; 1992.
Физикална терапия – обща и специална част, София; 2002.
