Reproductive Medicine

Lead: Mr Rehan Salim

The UCLH Reproductive Medicine Unit is based in the Elizabeth Garrett Anderson Wing of the University College Hospital and runs a dedicated service with the aim of providing a multidisciplinary, patient-centred approach for the investigation and treatment of couples suffering with sub-fertility and other problems related to reproductive endocrinology. We are licensed by the Human Fertility and Embryology Authority (HFEA) to carry out intrauterine insemination, donor insemination of sperm and sperm storage. There are over 2200 new referrals to the Reproductive Medicine Unit per annum.

The Reproductive Medicine Unit team reflects the wide range of conditions that we see and the services we offer. The Consultants leading the general fertility service are Miss Melanie Davies, Mr Rehan Salim and Mr Ertan Saridogan. In addition they offer specialist services in recurrent miscarriage, premature ovarian failure, fertility problems following treatment of cancers and chronic serious illness in women, in minimal access surgery, tubal surgery and treatment of endometriosis. The unit has been providing IVF treatment to the NHS patients in 2008.

Consultant endocrinologist Dr Gerry Conway runs the polycystic ovarian syndrome clinic and also leads our ovulation induction programme. Mr Rehan Salim runs the Menopause and Premenstrual Syndrome service. Dr Ratna Chatterjee has a clinic for reproductive function of patients with chronic disease.

Dr Francoise Shenfield has been running the Donor Insemination Unit since 1982. She is responsible for the clinical co-ordination of this programme. The Reproductive Medicine Laboratory is one of the largest units where sperm storage for oncology patients is offered. Dr Elphis Christopher runs a weekly Psychosexual Medicine clinic.

The psychology service for subfertility patients, including donor insemination and Premenstrual Syndrome clinic patients, is provided by Ms Christine Rutter. It is provided to help people deal with the consequences of fertility problems and their treatment and to help people resolve the problems which these may cause. It includes helping people to adjust to their experiences and come to terms with possible losses they may face, to make decisions regarding treatment and finding new ways of managing the challenges they face.
Intrauterine insemination and ovulation induction services are  provided by the fertility Clinical Nurse Specialists, currently there are four CNSs in post.