Resources for handsearchers

For Handsearchers

The US Cochrane Center maintains the main source of training materials and databases for these handsearchers. Their site includes:

Databases and procedural documents:

Handsearcher manual (pdf)
Master list of journals being searched - the home page for information about the Master List, including submission resources and downloads of the MS Excel-format master list and the journal list.
Fifty journals with the highest number of controlled trials in CENTRAL
Training resources:
Handsearcher training online course
List of additional training resources
Learning to identify and classify reports of controlled trials - examples of various types of study designs and how they should be classified - illustrated with MEDLINE abstracts, presented at Cochrane Colloquium, Cape Town, October 2000 by the US Cochrane Center.

Additional resources are available here on the Cochrane Collaboration web site:

Additional resources:

Deadlines for submission of specialized registers and handsearch registers
Handsearch manual online (html) version - Warning: This may not be kept as up-to-date, so if possible, we recommend the pdf version provided above by the US Cochrane Centre
Oral Health Group's handsearching manual
Excel Viewer for Windows (3813 kB) - for viewing the master lists if you don't have appropriate software (such as MS Excel or Lotus 1-2-3) installed already.

Why do handsearching?

Collaborators around the world are hand searching health care journals and conference proceedings. Why?

The aims of The Cochrane Collaboration are "preparing, maintaining and disseminating systematic reviews of the effects of health care". Before one can prepare a systematic review, one has to find the relevant research reports; in the case of The Cochrane Collaboration, this usually means reports of randomised clinical trials. This can be surprisingly difficult. Cochrane review authors rely on several means of searching for relevant reports, including both electronic and manual methods. For complete identification of published reports, there appears to be no alternative to a page-by-page search of the literature.

Hundreds of journals have been or are being hand searched by members of The Cochrane Collaboration, some journals by as few as one and others by as many as 32 individual searchers. As of this writing, an estimated 1,000 searchers are contributing to this effort, by searching for and cataloguing trials from more than 2,000 journals. As more trials are identified, it will be possible to prepare, maintain and disseminate increasing numbers of systematic reviews.

Deadlines for submission of specialised registers and handsearch registers

Issue	Deadline
2008, Issues 1-4 and 2009, Issue 1	Click here

Status of CENTRAL - from CENTRAL Vision Group

To all Cochrane entities --
As you may know, the CENTRAL Vision Group is working to develop a strategic plan for CENTRAL. We appreciate that as we embark on this task people within and outside the Collaboration continue to rely on CENTRAL as an essential source of controlled trials. As noted in our remit (https://www.cochrane.org/admin/structure.htm#cvg), we are taking advantage of recent changes to craft a new vision for CENTRAL. However, the changes also mean that the production of CENTRAL cannot continue in the same manner. We are thus put in the position of considering interim measures as we develop a strategic plan for the future of CENTRAL.

Here, briefly, is the current status:

-- Issue 2, 2006 will be produced by Wiley with uploads from MEDLINE and submission of EMBASE records. Issue 2, 2006 will also include records from specialised registers and handsearch records submitted to and processed by the USCC [up to and including the last specialised register submission of Dec 19 2005]. The USCC will be submitting these records
directly to Wiley. The USCC is stepping down from this role in the production of CENTRAL after this submission.

-- For Issue 3, 2006, Wiley will produce CENTRAL with updated MEDLINE and EMBASE records as for previous issues. The specialised register records and handsearch records will, however, not be updated but will be republished as in Issue 2.

-- Submission of specialised register records and handsearch records will be suspended until further notice.

-- The CVG will consider recommendations for interim measures for future issues of CENTRAL within our April progress report to the Cochrane Collaboration Steering Group.

Thank you for your patience in this process. We will be contacting all of you soon with a request to provide your thoughts on CENTRAL - what it is and what it can be.

CENTRAL Vision Group
February 2006

For up-to-date information on the work of the CENTRAL Vision Group, please see the CENTRAL Vision Group web page.

Getting involved as a Handsearcher: Handsearching involves the laborious task of searching through medical journals for accounts of controlled trials which are not yet indexed in the major electronic databases like MEDLINE and EMBASE. Less than a third of the world's medical journals are routinely indexed in the major electronic databases. Most Review Groups, Fields, and Centres are seeking volunteer handsearchers and will provide the necessary training and support. Handsearching of journals is coordinated by the US Cochrane Center.

Search strategies for the identification of studies

Electronic searches

Email Alerts for trials to be added to the MDSG Specialised Register

i) Database: MEDLINE (OVID Online updated weekly)
Search strategy for trials in menstrual disorders
Years covered: 1950 - ongoing

Date search strategy updated: May 2009
The strategy for identifying possible RCTs (terms 1-11) is the Cochrane sensitivity and precision maximising version devised by UK Cochrane Centre (see Cochrane Handbook Chapter 6, Box 6.4d). The strategy for identifying records within the scope of the Menstrual Disorders and Subfertility Group was developed by the TSC and the Co-ordinating Editor.

1. randomized controlled trial.pt.
2. controlled clinical trial.pt.
3. randomized.ab

4. placebo.tw

5. clinical trials as topic.sh

6. randomly.ab

7. trial.ti

8. (crossover or cross-over or cross over).tw

9. or/1-8

10. animals not (animals and humans)).sh

11. 9 not 10
12. exp menstruation disturbances/
13. menstruation disorders.ti,ab,sh.
14. Pelvic Pain/
15. Endometriosis/
16. (pelvi$ adj5 pain).ti,ab,sh.
17. endometrio$.ti,ab,sh.
18. adenomy$.ti,ab,sh.
19. dysmenorrh$.ti,ab,sh.
20. add-back.ti,ab,sh.
21. addback.ti,ab,sh.
22. (pelvic adj5 (ven$ or congestion)).ti,ab,sh.
23. (ovar$ adj5 (remnant or syndrome$)).ti,ab,sh.
24. (menstrua$ adj5 (bleed$ or blood)).ti,ab,sh.
25. (heavy adj5 menstrua$).ti,ab,sh.
26. (iron adj5 anaem$).ti,ab,sh.
27. (dysfunctional adj5 uter$).ti,ab,sh.
28. menorrhag$.ti,ab,sh.
29. Fibroma/
30. fibroma$.ti,ab,sh.
31. fibroid$.ti,ab,sh.
32. Leiomyoma/
33. leiomyom$.ti,ab,sh.
34. Premenstrual syndrome/
35. premenstrua$.ti,ab,sh.
36. pre-menstrua$.ti,ab,sh.
37. late luteal.ti,ab,sh.
38. luteal phase.ti,ab,sh.
39. (luteal adj5 symptom$).ti,ab,sh.
40. hirsutism/
41. hirsut$.ti,ab,sh.
42. oligomenorrhea/
43. oligomenorrh$.ti,ab,sh.
44. oligo-amenorrh$.ti,ab,sh.
45. polycystic ovary syndrome/
46. (polycystic adj5 ovar$).ti,ab,sh.
47. Hyperprolactinemia/
48. hyperprolactinem$.ti,ab,sh.
49. amenorrhea/
50. amenorrh$.ti,ab,sh.
51. ovarian cysts/
52. exp Climacteric/
53. climacter$.ti,ab,sh.
54. menopaus$.ti,ab,sh.
55. Flushing/
56. flush$.ti,ab,sh.
57. flash$.ti,ab,sh.
58. vaginal dryness.ti,ab,sh.
59. (pain$ adj5 menstrua$).ti,ab,sh.
60. (pain$ adj5 period$).ti,ab,sh.
61. postmenopaus$.ti,ab,sh.
62. post-menopaus$.ti,ab,sh.
63. perimenopaus$.ti,ab,sh.
64. peri-menopaus$.ti,ab,sh.
65. (endometrial adj5 hyperplasia).ti,ab,sh.
66. Endometrial hyperplasia.ti,ab,sh.
67. myoma/
68. myoma.ti,ab,sh.
69. Acne Vulgaris/ and female/
70. metrorrhag$.ti,ab,sh.
71. metrorrhagia/
72. exp hysterectomy/ or exp hysterectomy, vaginal/
73. exp hysteroscopy/
74. (endometrial adj5 ablation).ti,ab,sh.
75. Endometrium/su
76. hysterectom$.ti,ab,sh.
77. hysteroscop$.ti,ab,sh.
78. or/12-77
79. 11 and 78
80. limit 79 to latest update

b) Search strategy for trials in subfertility
Years covered: 1950 - ongoing
Date search strategy updated: May 2009
The strategy for identifying possible RCTs (terms 1-11) is the Cochrane sensitivity and precision maximising version devised by UK Cochrane Centre (see Cochrane Handbook Chapter 6, Box 6.4d). The strategy for identifying records within the scope of the Menstrual Disorders and Subfertility Group was developed by the TSC and the Co-ordinating Editor.

1. randomized controlled trial.pt.
2. controlled clinical trial.pt.
3. randomized.ab

4. placebo.tw

5. clinical trials as topic.sh

6. randomly.ab

7. trial.ti

8. (crossover or cross-over or cross over).tw

9. or/1-8

10. animals not (animals and humans)).sh

11. 9 not 10

12. exp reproductive techniques/
13. exp fertility agents/
14. (in vitro adj5 fertili$).tw.
15. ivf.tw.
16. icsi.tw.
17. (intracytoplas$ adj5 sperm$).tw.
18. subfertil$.tw.
19. (sperm$ adj5 inject$).tw.
20. suzi.tw.
21. (subzon$ adj5 sperm$).tw.
22. (zona adj5 dissect$).tw.
23. pzd.tw.
24. (ovar$ adj5 hyperstim$).tw.
25. ohss.tw.
26. (oocyt$ adj5 retriev$).tw.
27. (oocyt$ adj5 pickup).tw.
28. (sperm$ adj5 prepa$).tw.
29. (acrosom$ adj5 sperm$).tw.
30. (sperm$ adj5 stimul$).tw.
31. (sperm$ adj5 pentox$).tw.
32. (sperm$ adj5 caff$).tw.
33. (sperm$ adj5 kalli$).tw.
34. (sperm$ adj5 swimup$).tw.
35. (sperm adj5 percol$).tw.
36. (embry$ adj5 biops$).tw.
37. (cocult$ adj5 embry$).tw.
38. (cocult$ adj5 trophobl$).tw.
39. (luteal phase adj5 support).tw.
40. (sperm$ adj5 cryopreserv$).tw.
41. (frozen adj5 embry$).tw.
42. (antisperm$ adj5 antibod$).tw.
43. (sperm$ adj5 antibod$).tw.
44. (artific$ adj5 inseminat$).tw.
45. (cervi$ adj5 inseminat$).tw.
46. (fallopian tub$ adj5 perfus$).tw.
47. (luteal adj5 defect$).tw.
48. (luteal adj5 dysfunct$).tw.
49. (ovulat$ adj5 induc$).tw.
50. (intraut$ adj5 inseminat$).tw.
51. (ectop$ adj5 preg$).tw.
52. (tub$ adj5 preg$).tw.
53. inseminat$.tw.
54. varicoc$.tw.
55. fertility/
56. fertilization/
57. insemination/
58. embryo implantation/
59. Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome/
60. (embry$ adj5 transf$).tw.
61. or/12-60
62. 11 and 61
63. *Breeding/
64. *Consanguinity/
65. (plant$ adj5 hybridi$).tw.
66. *plants/ or *plants,edible/ or *power plants/
67. or/63-66
68. 62 not 67
69. limit 68 to latest update

ii) Database: EMBASE (OVID Online updated weekly)
Years covered: 1987 - ongoing

Date search strategy updated: Feb 2003
The strategy for identifying possible RCTs (terms 1-15) has been adapted from the Highly Sensitive Search Strategy devised by Carol Lefebvre and Steve McDonald (UK Cochrane Centre) for use on MEDLINE. The strategy for identifying records within the scope of the Menstrual Disorders and Subfertility Group was developed by the TSC and the Co-ordinating Editor.

a) Search strategy for trials in menstrual disorders

1. Controlled study/ or Randomized Controlled Trial/
2. Double blind procedure/
3. Single Blind Procedure/
4. Crossover procedure/
5. Drug comparison/
6. Placebo/
7. Random$.tw.
8. latin square.tw.
9. crossover.tw.
10. cross-over.tw.
11. placebo$.tw.
12. ((doubl$ or singl$ or tripl$ or trebl$) adj5 (blind$ or mask$)).tw.
13. (comparativ$ adj5 trial$).tw.
14. (clinical adj5 trial$).tw.
15. or/1-14
16. animal/ not (human/ and animal/)
17. exp menstruation disorder/
18. (menstrua$ adj5 disorder$).tw.
19. Pelvis pain syndrome/
20. endometriosis/
21. (pelvic adj5 pain).ti,ab,hw,tn,mf.
22. endometrio$.ti,ab,hw,tn,mf.
23. Adenomyoma/
24. adenomy$.ti,ab,hw,tn,mf.
25. Dysmenorrhea/
26. dysmenorrh$.ti,ab,hw,tn,mf.
27. "add back".ti,ab,hw,tn,mf.
28. addback.ti,ab,hw,tn,mf.
29. (pelvic adj5 (ven$ or congest$)).ti,ab,hw,tn,mf.
30. (ovar$ adj5 (remnant or syndrome$)).ti,ab,hw,tn,mf.
31. (menstrua$ adj5 (bleed$ or blood)).ti,ab,hw,tn,mf.
32. (heavy adj5 menstrua$).ti,ab,hw,tn,mf.
33. (iron adj5 anaem$).ti,ab,hw,tn,mf.
34. (dysfunctional adj5 uter$).ti,ab,hw,tn,mf.
35. Menorrhagia/ or "Menorrhagia and Metrorrhagia"/
36. menorrhag$.ti,ab,hw,tn,mf.
37. Metrorrhagia/
38. metrorrhag$.ti,ab,hw,tn,mf.
39. Fibroma/
40. fibroma$.ti,ab,hw,tn,mf.
41. fibroid$.ti,ab,hw,tn,mf.
42. Leiomyoma/
43. leiomyoma$.ti,ab,hw,tn,mf.
44. Premenstrual Syndrome/
45. PMS.ti,ab,hw,tn,mf.
46. premenstrua$.ti,ab,hw,tn,mf.
47. pre menstrua$.ti,ab,hw,tn,mf.
48. late luteal.ti,ab,hw,tn,mf.
49. (luteal adj5 symptom$).ti,ab,hw,tn,mf.
50. Hirsutism/
51. hirsut$.ti,ab,hw,tn,mf.
52. oligomenorrhea/ or "Amenorrhea and Oligomenorrhea"/
53. oligomenorrh$.ti,ab,hw,tn,mf.
54. oligo-amenorrh$.ti,ab,hw,tn,mf.
55. ovary polycystic disease/
56. (polycystic adj5 ovar$).ti,ab,hw,tn,mf.
57. Hyperprolactinemia/
58. hyperprolactin$.ti,ab,hw,tn,mf.
59. primary amenorrhea/ or amenorrhea/
60. amenorrh$.ti,ab,hw,tn,mf.
61. ovary cyst/
62. (ovar$ adj5 cyst$).ti,ab,hw,tn,mf.
63. climacterium/
64. climacter$.ti,ab,hw,tn,mf.
65. "menopause and climacterium"/ or MENOPAUSE/ or early menopause/
66. menopaus$.ti,ab,hw,tn,mf.
67. flushing/flush$.ti,ab,hw,tn,mf.
69. Postmenopause/
70. vaginal dryness.ti,ab,hw,tn,mf.
71. (pain$ adj5 menstrua$).ti,ab,hw,tn,mf.
72. (pain$ adj5 period$).ti,ab,hw,tn,mf.
73. Dysmenorrhea/
74. postmenopaus$.ti,ab,hw,tn,mf.
75. post-menopaus$.tw.
76. perimenopaus$.ti,ab,hw,tn,mf.
77. peri menopause.ti,ab,hw,tn,mf.
78. Endometrium hyperplasia/
79. (endometrial adj5 hyperplasia).ti,ab,hw,tn,mf.
80. Myoma/ or uterus myoma/ or myoma.ti,ab,hw,tn,mf.
81. acne vulgaris/ and female/
82. metrorrhag$.ti,ab,hw,tn,mf.
83. abdominal hysterectomy/ or hysterectomy/ or vaginal hysterectomy/
84. hysterectom$.ti,ab,hw,tn,mf.
85. (endometrial adj5 ablation).ti,ab,hw,tn,mf.
86. endometrium/
87. hysteroscopy/
88. hysteroscop$.ti,ab,hw,tn,mf.
89. or/17-88
90. 15 not 16
91. 89 and 90
92. limit 91 to latest update

b) Search strategy for trials in subfertility

iii) Database PsycINFO (1872- ongoing)
The menstrual disorders and subfertility search terms used in Medline have been adapted and used to search PsycINFO every 3 months.

Hand searching

2. JOURNAL HANDSEARCHES
The systematic hand searching of core journals in menstrual disorders and subfertility from 1950, or date of first issue is being conducted. The journals that are presently being searched or have been searched are:

Am J Reprod Immunol Microbiol. 1980-1990 Searched for Infertility RCT's only, 1991 - 1998, and 2002 - ongoing searched for all RCT's
Andrologia. 1980-1990 Searched for Infertility RCT's only, 1991-2003 searched for all RCT's.
Arch Androl. 1978-1992 Searched for Infertility RCT's only, 1993 - ongoing searched for all RCT's.

Australian and New Zealand Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology. All RCT's 2006-onwards
Biology of Reproduction. 2000-2002 Searched for all RCT's
Climacteric. 1998. 2001-ongoing. Searched for all RCT's
Fertility & Sterility 1950 - ongoing. Searched for all RCT's
Gynaecological Endoscopy 1991 - 2000. Searched for all RCT's
Human Reproduction. 1986 - ongoing. Search for all RCT's
International Journal of Andrology. 1978-1992 Searched for Infertility RCTs only,1998 - ongoing searched for all RCT's
International Journal of Fertility & Womens Medicine (previously Int J Fertil Menopausal Stud and Int J Fertil) 1968 - 1998.
Journal of Andrology. 1980-1992 Searched for Infertility RCTs only
Journal of Assisted Reproduction & Genetics (formerly J In Vitro Fertil Embryo Transfer 1984-1991). 1984-1992 Searched for Infertility RCT's only,
1993 -ongoing searched for all RCT's
Journal of Gynaecologic Surgery. 1985-1990 searched for Infertility and Gynae RCT's, 2000-2002 searched for all RCT's Journal of Minimally Invasive Gynecology all RCT's 2007 onwards
Journal of Reproduction & Fertility. 1966-1998 Searched for Infertility RCTs only, 1992 - ongoing searched for all RCT's.
Maturitas. 1978 - ongoing searched for all RCT's
Middle East Fertility Society Journal 1997 - 2003 searched for all RCT's.
Molecular Reproduction & Development. (Formerly Gamete Res 1978-1990). 1978-1992 Infertility RCTs only, 1993 - 1997 Searched for all RCT's
Pediatric Perinatal Epidemiology, 1987 - 1995
Reproduction Fertility & Development. (Formerly Clin Reprod Fertil 1982-1990) 1982-1993 Searched for Infertility RCTs only, 1982 - 1998,

Journals no longer searched by Menstrual Disorders and Subfertility Group

These journals were originally searched by the Menstrual Disorders and Subfertility Group, but have been deleted from our list either because of their low hit rate or because they were of greater relevance to other groups. Brackets indicate the Groups which will take over the searching of these journals in the future.

Acta Eur Fertil. 1969-1989 Infertility RCT's only. No Longer Published
Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand. 1955-1997 [Pregnancy and Childbirth Group]
Am J Obstet Gynecol. 1966-1997 [Pregnancy and Childbirth Group]
Aust NZ J Obstet Gynaecol. 1955-1996 [Pregnancy and Childbirth Group]
Biol Reprod. Searched for infertility RCTs only from 1969-1972
BMJ. Searched for infertility RCTs only from 1966-1990 [UK Cochrane Centre]
Br J Obstet Gynaecol. 1975-1996 [Pregnancy and Childbirth Group]
Br J Urol. 1966-1997 [Prostatic Diseases and Urologic Cancers Group]
Clin Endocrinol. 1966-1997 [Metabolic and Endocrine Disorders Group]
Contraception. 1970-1996 [Fertility Regulation Group]
Contracept, Fertil, Sex. Searched for infertility RCTs only 1992-1995
Epidemiology. 1990-1995 [ Multiple Scelerosis Group]
Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol. 1971-1990 Searched for Infertility RCT's only, 1991-1997
Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol. [Pregnancy and Childbirth Group]
Eur J Endocrinol (former Acta Endocrinol until 1993). 1966-1997 [Metabolic and Endocrine Disorders Group]
Eur J Endocrinol [Metabolic and Endocrine Disorders Group]
Eur Urol. 1975-1996 [Prostatic Diseases and Urologic Cancers Group]
Gynecol Obstet Invest (formerly Gynecologia 1966-1969) 1966-1993.[Pregnancy and Childbirth Group]
Horm Res. (formerly Hormones 1970-1972) Searched for infertility RCTs only from 1970-1990
Int J Gynecol Obstet. 1963-1993 [Pregnancy and Childbirth Group]
JAMA. Searched for infertility RCTs only from 1966-1993 [UK Cochrane Centre]
J Androl. No longer have access to this journal.
J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 1982-1997 Searched for infertility RCTs only from 1966-1981 [Metabolic and Endocrine Disorders Group]
J Endocrinol. 1966-1993
J Gynaecol Surg. Searched for infertility RCTs from 1985-1992
J Obstet Gynaecol. 1980-1995. [Pregnancy and Childbirth Group]
J Gynecol Obstet Biol Reprod (Paris), 1975-1994 [Pregnancy and Childbirth Group]
J Reprod Immunol. Searched for infertility RCTs from 1979-1992
J Reprod Med. 1967-1997 [Pregnancy and Childbirth Group]
J Urol. 1966-1997 [Prostatic Diseases and Urologic Cancers Group]
Lancet. Searched for infertility RCTs only from 1966-1990 [UK Cochrane Centre]
N Engl J Med. Searched for infertility RCTs only from 1966-1990 [UK Cochrane Centre]
Obstet Gynecol. 1966-1997 [Pregnancy and Childbirth Group]
Pediatr Perinatal Epidemiology 1996
Prostaglandins. 1972-1996 [Fertility Regulation Group]
Surg Gynecol Obstet. 1966-1993
Urology. Searched for infertility RCTs only from 1973-1993 [Prostatic Diseases and Urologic Cancers Group]

3. CONFERENCE PROCEEDINGS

15th Annual Congress of the European Society for Gynaecological Endoscopy.5-7 October 2006.Strasbourg France
14th Annual Congress of the European Society for Gynaecological Endoscopy.6-8 October 2005.Athens 63rd Annual Meeting of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine. 13-17 October 2007. Washington DC
62nd Annual Meeting of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine. 21 - 25 October 2006.New Orleans, Louisiana
61st Annual Meeting of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine.15-21 October 2005.Montreal
60th Annual Meeting of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine.16-20 October 2004.Philadelphia
59th Annual Meeting of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine.11-15 October 2003.San Antonio
58th Annual Meeting of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine.12-17 October 2002.Seattle
57th Annual Meeting of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine.20-25 October 2001.Orlando
55th Annual Meeting of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine.5-30 September 1999.Toronto.

24th Annual Meeting of the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE). 6 - 9 July 2008. Barcelona, Spain
22nd Annual Meeting of the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology.18-21 June 2006.Prague, Czech Republic
21st Annual Meeting of the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology.19-22 June 2005.Copenhagen.
20th Annual Meeting of the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology.27-30 June 2004.Berlin
19th Annual Meeting of the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology.29 June - 2 July 2003.Madrid
18th Annual Meeting of the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology.30 June - 3 July 2002.Vienna
17th Annual Meeting of the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology.1-4 July 2001.Lausanne
16th Annual Meeting of the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE) .June 2000.Bologna, Italy
15th Annual Meeting of the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE) .June 1999.Tours, France
14th Annual Meeting of the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE) .June 21-24 1998.Gotebörg
13th Annual Meeting of the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE) .June 22-25 1997.Edinburgh
16th Annual Meeting of the North American Menopause Society.28 September - 1 October 2005.San Diego
17th Annual Meeting of the North American Menopause Society .11-14 October 2006.Nashville, TN
53rd Annual Meeting of the Pacific Coast Reproductive Society.4-8 May 2005.Indian Wells
52nd Annual Meeting of the Pacific Coast Reproductive Society.28 April - 2 May 2004.Rancho Mirage
50th Annual Meeting of the Pacific Coast Reproductive Society.17-21 April 2002.Rancho Mirage
49th Annual Meeting of the Pacific Coast Reproductive Society.25-29 April 2001.Rancho Mirage
9th Australasian Menopause Society Congress.22-24 September 2005.Gold Coast.
8th Australasian Menopause Society Congress.23-25 September 2004.Perth
6th Australasian Menopause Society Congress.24-26 October 2002.Sydney
5th Australasian Menopause Society Congress.25-27 October 2001.Melbourne
4th Australasian Menopause Society Congress.5-7 November 2000.Adelaide.
30th British Congress of Obstetrics and Gynaecology.7-9 July 2004.Glasgow
29th British Congress of Obstetrics and Gynaecology.10-13 July 2001.Birmingham
27th British Congress of Obstetrics and Gynaecology.4-7 July 1995.Dublin
8th International Congress on the Menopause.1996 3-7 November.Sydney
6th International Congress on the Menopause.1990 29 Oct-2 Nov.Bangkok
2nd International Scientific Meeting of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists. The promise of science for the next decade. .7-10 September 1993 .Hong Kong.
6th International Scientific Meeting of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists .27-30 September 2005.Cairo
63rd Annual Meeting of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine October 13-17 2007 Meeting of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine .4-9 October 1998 .
Meeting of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine .18-22 October1997 .
26th Annual meeting of The Fertility Society of Australia Annual Scientific Meeting.9-12 September 2007. Hobart. The Fertility Society of Australia 25th annual scientific meeting.2006.
The Fertility Society of Australia Annual Scientific Meeting.4-7 September 2005.Christchurch.

The Fertility Society of Australia Annual Scientific Meeting. 19-22 October 2008. Brisbane
5th World Congress on Controversies in Obstetrics, Gynecology & Infertility.3-6 June 2004.Las Vegas
4th World Congress on Controversies in Obstetrics, Gynecology & Infertility.24-27 April 2003.Berlin
3rd World Congress on Controversies in Obstetrics, Gynecology & Infertility.20-23 June 2002.Washington DC
2nd World Congress on Controversies in Obstetrics, Gynecology & Infertility.6-9 September 2001.Paris.
10th World Congress on Endometriosis on Endometriosis 2008. Melbourne. 9th World Congress on Endometriosis.14-17 September 2005.Maastricht
8th World Congress on Endometriosis.24-27 February 2002.San Diego
18th World Congress on Fertility & Sterility, International Federation of Fertility Societies Conference (IFFS) .23-28 May 2004.Montreal, Canada
17th World Congress on Fertility and Sterility (IFFS).25-30 November 2001.Melbourne, Australia
XVIII FIGO World Congress of Gynecology and Obstetrics.5-10 November 2006.Kuala Lumpur
XVI FIGO World Congress of Gynecology and Obstetrics. 3-8 September 2000.Washington DC
XV FIGO World Congress of Gynaecology and Obstetrics.3-4 August 1997.Copenhagen.
12th World Congress of Gynecological Endocrinology. 2-5 March 2006.Florence Italy
3rd World Congress of World Association of Repruductive Medicine (WARM).27 Sep - 1 Oct 2006.Rome, Italy
7th European Congress on Menopause.3 - 7 June 2006.Istanbul, Turkey
The British Fertility Society Summer College.4-8 September 2006
The First World Congress on Natural Cycle/Minimal Stimulation IVF.15-16 December 2006.London
12th Annual Meeting of the Middle East Fertility Society.23-26 November 2005.Luxor
34th Global Congress of Minimally Invasive Gynecology; AAGL Annual Meeting.9-12 November 2005.Chicago
Advances in Uterine Leiomyoma Research: 2nd NIH International Congress.24-25 February 2005.Bethesda, MD
International Symposium on Phytomedicines in Gynecology.13-15 Oct 2005.Majorca Spain
The Blair Bell Research Society's biannual competition meeting at the Royal College Obstetricians and Gynaecologists.17-18 November 2005.London The Blair Bell Research Society's biannual competition meeting at the Royal College Obstetricians and Gynaecologists. 28-29 June 2007.Derby
The Third Annual Meeting of the Androgen Excess Society.3 June 2005.San Diego, California
Global Congress of Gynecologic Endoscopy 33rd Annual Meeting of the AAGL,.10-13 November 2004.San Francisco, California
Society of Interventional Radiology Annual Meeting.25-30 March 2004.Phoenix, Arizona
American Academy of Neurology Annual Meeting.29 March-5 April 2003.San Francisco, California,
Fertility Society of Australia 21st Annual Scientific Meeting.23-26 October 2002 .Gold Coast, Australia
11th World Congress on In Vitro Fertilization and Human Reproductive Genetics. . 9-11 May 1999.Sydney, Australia
Congress of the Australasian Menopause Society .27-30 June1999 .Cairns, Australia
IX Annual Scientific Meeting of the Australian Gynaecological Endoscopic Society .27-29 May1999.Adelaide, Australia.
29th Congress of the South African Society of Obstetrics and Gynaecology .8-12 March 1998.
7th Congress of the European Society of Gynaecological Endoscopy, .December 1998.Lausanne,
The Congress of the Australasian Menopause Society .8-10 October 1998.
Annual Scientific Meeting of the Fertility Society of Australia and the Australian Gynaecological Endoscopy Society. .19-25 November 1995.Melbourne
Menopause- European consensus development on menopause. .8-10 September 1995 .Montreux
3rd International Symposium on GnRH analogues in Cancer and Human Reproduction.25-28 February 1993 .Geneva
Myomas and Gonadotrophin releasing hormone agonists. Ferring EHRE symposium. .27-20 June 1993 .Thessalonika
17th Annual Congress of the Australian Society for Psychosomatic Aspects of Reproductive Medicine.26-28 September 1990 .Coolum
Silver Jubilee British Congress of Obstetrics and Gynaecology.4-7 July 1989 .London

Other strategies

4. CURRENT AWARENESS SERVICE
Multiple Weekly electronic updates are reviewed from sources such as: Medscape, ObGynWorld, and table of contents from Human Reproduction.

Planned searching activities

B. PLANNED SEARCHING ACTIVITIES

1. ELECTRONIC SEARCHES

(1) Database MEDLINE (Years covered: 1950 - ongoing) - The MEDLINE search is combined with the Cochrane highly sensitive search strategy for identifying randomized trials which appears in the Cochrane Handbook of Systematic Reviews of Interventions (Version 5.0.1 chapter 6, 6.4.11)

(2) Database EMBASE -The EMBASE searches are combined with trial filters developed by the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN) http://www.sign.ac.uk/mehodology/filters.html#random. EMBASE is only searched for the 2 previous years due to the work carried out by the UK Cochrane Centre which ensures that all RCT's prior to this are already entered in CENTRAL

(3) Database CENTRAL -(Years covered: from inception - ongoing)
The menstrual disorders and subfertility search terms used in the MEDLINE searches described above were adapted and used to search CENTRAL.
(4) Database PSYCHINFO - (Years covered: 1806 - ongoing)

In addition the following databases should be searched if appropriate to the review

(a) Database AMED - (Allied and Complimentary Medicine) (Years covered 1985 - ongoing)

(b) Database CINAHL - (Years covered: 1982 - ongoing) CINAHL searches are combined with trial filters developed by the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN) http://www.sign.ac.uk/mehodology/filters.html#random
(c) Chinese databases

It is now a requirement that all authors working on Chinese intervention reviews to search not only in the traditional bibliographic databases such as EMBASE, MEDLINE, CENTRAL, CINAHL, AMED and PSYCHINFO (the Group's Trial Search Coordinator can assist with these databases) but also to search in at least one of the following 5 major Chinese biomedical databases. The search strategy for these searches must also be included in the appendices of the protocol or review. All RCTs must be confimed as being true RCTs by confirming with the trialists.

1. Chinese Biomedical Literature database (CBM)
     http://cbmwww.imicams.ac.cn/
2. Chinese Medical Current Content (CMCC)
     http://www.cmcc.org.cn
3. China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI-CAJ)
      www.cnki.net
4. VIP information/Chinese Scientific Journals Database (CSJD-VIP)
      http://dx3.cqvip..com/ (Chinese)
      http://dx3.cqvip.com/en/index.htm (English)
5. WangFang database/Chinese Medicine Premier
      http://www.wangfangdata.com.cn/ (Chinese)
      http://www.wanfangdata.com/ (English)

Conference Proceedings can be electronically searched using the ISTP Conference proceedings at http://portal.isiknowledge.com/portal.cgi

Registered trials can be found at the WHO International Clinical Trials Registry Platform Search Portal http://www.who.int/trialsearch/ or 'Current Controlled Trials' http://www.controlled-trials.com/ , 'ClinicalTrials.gov' a service of the US national Institutes of Health http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/home

ClinicalStudyResults provides clinical trial results of marketed pharmaceuticals http://www.clinicalstudyresults.org/

The Cochrane Library - https://www.cochrane.org/index.htm .

Handsearching of appropriate journals

Citation indexes - http://scientific.thomson.com/products/sci/ Check citation lists of included trials, eligible studies, conference abstracts and relevant review articles.

Personal communication with manufacturers, experts and specialists in the field.

OpenSIGLE database for grey Literature in Europe - http://opensigle.inist.fr/

LILACS database provides a source of trials from the Portuguese and Spanish speaking world - http://bases.bireme.br/cgi-bin/wxislind.exe/iah/online/?IsisScript=iah/iah.xis&base=LILACS&lang=i&form=F

PubMed http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/ , random control filters for PubMed can be found in Chapter 6 of The Cochrane Handbook of Systematic Reviews of Interventions.

Please note that the complete search strings of all databases searched need to placed in the appendices of your protocol/review. The number of hits for each search term is to remain on the search strings of reviews and to be removed in the protocols.

2. JOURNAL HANDSEARCHES

3. CONFERENCE PROCEEDINGS
The following conference proceedings will be searched from 1970 onwards:
British Fertility Society
British Menopause Society
European Congress in Prostaglandins in Reproduction
Fertility Society of Australia
International Congress on Calcium Reg Hormones (IX, X, XI)
International Congress on Psychosomatic Medicine in Obstetrics and Gynaecology
International Society of Gynaecology Endocrinology
International Society of Menopause
International Symposium on Osteoporosis (II, III, IV)
(N.B. Some overlap with Pregnancy and Childbirth Group)

4. OTHER SOURCES OF TRIALS
Approaching other pharmaceutical Companies for unpublished RCTs - ClinicalStudyResults provides clinical trial results of marketed pharmaceuticals http://www.clinicalstudyresults.org/. Approaching Funding Organisations eg MRC

5. REFERENCE LISTS WITHIN SOURCES

Inclusion criteria

The editorial base of the Cochrane Menstrual Disorders and Subfertility Group has assembled a specialised register of controlled clinical trials. Before entering a report of a trial onto the register, a copy is always obtained. The trial is coded for the disease/condition, intervention(s), outcomes, study design, control type (another intervention/placebo), blinding and method of randomisation. The Trials Search Co-ordinator does the coding and any queries are referred to the Co-ordinating Editor or another member of the Editorial Board. All trials in which allocation of participants to an intervention has been described as random or quasi-random, according to Cochrane Collaboration definitions are included on the register. Furthermore, all trials which are possibly or probably randomised (i.e. randomised is not mentioned but the methodology suggests that it might be so) will also be included. Thus any potentially useful trials will not be excluded. A reviewer or member of the Group may subsequently reject these trials as being methodologically inadequate after obtaining further information from the author(s).

No language restrictions shall be applied