News and Events

Despite the challenges of 2021, CRE WHiRL researchers are making progress on the development of evidence-based guidelines on unexplained infertility, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and premature ovarian insufficiency.  Below is a snapshot of the year’s progress.   

Unexplained infertility. 

The European Society for Human Reproduction (ESHRE) is developing an evidence-based guideline for unexplained infertility.  CRE WHiRL will adapt the ESHRE guideline for our Australian context and seek National Health and Medical Research Council approval.  The CRE has two representatives on the ESHRE guideline development group, Professor Robert Norman and Dr Michael Costello.  Both Rob and Michael, in consultation with CRE WHiRL technical advisors, will lead the Australian adaptation process.  Our Australian guideline is heavily reliant on the completed ESHRE guideline, which has been significantly delayed due to COVID.  We hope to have an Australian NHMRC approved guideline by April 2023.  If you would like more information about the evidence-based guideline for unexplained infertility, please contact Professor Rob Norman

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. 

The International evidence-based guideline for the assessment and management of PCOS 2018 will be expanded and updated.  In 2018, The NHMRC funded Centre for Research Excellence in PCOS, in partnership with ESHRE and the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) produced the International evidence-based guideline for the assessment and management of polycystic ovary syndrome 2018.  

The guideline was developed following best international practice and was approved by the NHMRC.  It involved 67 guideline development group members, across 7 continents and collaboration with 37 international societies.  Since publication, the guideline and resources have:

• been downloaded approximately 25,000 times
• had approximately 200,000 page views
• been translated into 6 different languages (Spanish, Mandarin, Danish, Italian, Vietnamese and Arabic)
• reached 173 countries
• been presented at 80 conferences across 7 continents

This guideline, under the auspices of CRE WHiRL, will be expanded and updated, again aiming for NHMRC Council approval in late 2023.

Premature ovarian insufficiency. 

The ESHRE, in partnership with CRE WHiRL, ASRM and the International Menopause Society (IMS) will update the 2015 ESHRE Guideline on the management of premature ovarian insufficiency.  This guideline is in the planning phase and we are aiming for a completed guideline in 2023.  The International steering committee is currently considering membership for the Guideline Development Group.  CRE WHiRL will lead the guideline translation program.