2023
The latest news and public engagement updates from the Centre for Reproductive Health.
BBC Radio 5 Live airs from the CRH Lab

The Centre for Reproductive Health was delighted to host BBC Radio 5 Live from our laboratory within IRR, on 28 November 2023.
Dr Maybin features in AMS 25th Anniversary video series
The Academy of Medical Sciences (AMS) has been releasing a series of impact case studies and video content to give a voice to young researchers to celebrate their achievements and explore how the boundaries of science are changing.
Calls for improved support about menstruation changes during perimenopause
Perimenopausal women need better education and support about how their periods might change towards the end of their reproductive life, finds a new study led by UCL and UoE researchers.
Fertility Preservation Professors engage with budding scientists from Liberton

Two Professors from The Centre for Reproductive Health (IRR), Rod Mitchell and Evelyn Telfer, visited Liberton High School to engage with a group of Higher Biology students (on 14 November 2023).
Dr Varsha Jain raises awareness of Space Gynaecology
Dr Varsha Jain is a Wellbeing of Women Clinical Research Fellow at the Centre for Reproductive Health (within IRR) at the University of Edinburgh, investigating why women suffer from heavy menstrual bleeding.
CRH researchers support Wellbeing of Women ‘Just a period’ campaign

A number of CRH researchers are delighted to lend their research findings and clinical expertise to the new Wellbeing of Women campaign, ‘Just a period’.
NHS Lothian Maternity Voices Partnership Launches New Recruitment Campaign
The NHS Lothian Maternity Voices Partnership (MVP) is excited to announce the launch of a new social media recruitment campaign aimed at strengthening diversity and inclusivity within its ranks. The campaign seeks to engage women and family members from a wider range of backgrounds to join this vital initiative, ensuring that every voice is heard and represented in shaping the future of local maternity services.
A successful ESHRE 2023 for CRH researchers
The 39th Annual Meeting of ESHRE took place in Copenhagen from 25 – 28 June 2023 and members of the CRH made their presence felt with a number of stellar talks, poster presentations and a prestigious prize win.
The CRH represents at ETW2023
Members of the Mitchell lab and Edinburgh Fertility Preservation team at the MRC Centre for Reproductive Health attended the European Testis Workshop (ETW2023) at the stunning Caux Palace, near Montreux in Switzerland (18-22 June, 2023).
Ministerial visit to CRH / EXPPECT
On 23rd May 2023, members of the MRC Centre for Reproductive Health and the EXPPECT team were delighted to welcome Ms Jenni Minto, The Minister for Public Health and Women’s Health from The Scottish Government, for a visit and discussion on endometriosis research.
The 15th World Congress on Endometriosis
The World Congress on Endometriosis (WCE) took place at the EICC in Edinburgh from 3-6 May, 2023, hosting over 1,100 delegates from 53 countries, presenting nearly 600 original research papers.
Women invited to trial twice-a-year contraceptive jab
Trials to test the effectiveness of a six-monthly contraceptive injection for women are to start in Lothian and Ayrshire.
Social factors affect premature babies’ brains
Premature babies from disadvantaged backgrounds are more likely to experience problems with early brain development than those from better off homes, research shows.
The CRH’s PCOS animation launches
The MRC Centre for Reproductive Health is delighted to share our final reproductive health themed animation with you.
The CRH participates in Edinburgh International Science Festival
Edinburgh International Science Festival (EISF) is the first and one of the most respected science festivals in the world, taking place annually in April.
In Memoriam Jeffrey William Pollard
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our esteemed colleague and friend, Professor Jeffrey W. Pollard, on 1 May 2023.
Closing the endometriosis knowledge gap
Despite one in ten women being affected, endometriosis – a painful condition where womb-like tissue grows outside of the womb – is still under-researched and poorly understood. Lack of funding and interest in the disease has meant that our knowledge trails years behind that of other chronic conditions such as heart disease, asthma and diabetes.
Long Covid and menstruation study - STV News
On 23 April 2023, STV News featured a tissue-based study taking place in the CRH Maybin lab exploring whether long Covid has an impact on the menstrual cycle.
Endometriosis Awareness Month
March is Endometriosis Awareness Month and both Professor Andrew Horne and Dr Lucy Whitaker have done a sterling job of raising awareness of endometriosis and the vital research taking place at CRH.
Covid-19 vaccine not linked with period disruption
Covid-19 vaccination does not cause concerning changes to periods, research has found.
Professor Richard Anderson named RSE Fellow
Many congratulations to Richard Anderson who has been elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh (21.03.23)
The Future of Reproductive Health
On 01.03.23 and 02.03.23, The Future of Reproductive Health meeting took place at the Royal College of Surgeons in Edinburgh.
Breast milk boosts premature babies' brain development
The more breast milk premature babies are fed while in neonatal intensive care, the greater the level of brain development, a study suggests.
RCOG/Blair Bell success for CRH researchers
The CRH enjoyed a strong presence and great success at the RCOG Annual Academic Meeting on 09 and 10 February, 2023.
Students at James Gillespie’s High School participate in CRH workshops
Ginnie Clark (CRH Comms and Public Engagement Manager) organised a morning of scientific workshops and Q&A sessions at James Gillespie’s High School on 07.02.23.
CRH researchers publish the largest clinical trial on ectopic pregnancy
The largest clinical trial on ectopic pregnancy to date was published in the Lancet on 2 February 2023 with an accompanying commentary.
CRH researchers attend prestigious Lister Lecture
Dr Jackie Maybin, Professor Hilary Critchley and Dr Rocio Martinez Aguilar recently attended the RSE/SCI Lister Lecture 2022 (24.11.22).
CRH Associate appointed as first Women’s Health Champion for Scotland
Professor Anna Glasier OBE (MRC CRH Associate / Honorary Professor at The University of Edinburgh) has been appointed as the first Women’s Health Champion for Scotland.
CRH makes an impact at Fertility 2023
MRC Centre for Reproductive Health enjoyed great success at Fertility 2023 in Belfast (10-13 January, 2023).
New article raises awareness of endometriosis
Read this fantastic article which appears in the journal section of menstrual health website Joii Care and contains expert commentary from Professor Andrew Horne.