About Adam
Professor Adam Balen MB, BS, MD, DSc, FRCOG is a full time Consultant in Reproductive Medicine at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust.
In recognition of his research, he was awarded a personal (honorary) chair in 2004 and a DSc in 2010, by the University of Leeds. Adam qualified as a doctor in 1983 and spent his first few years training in obstetrics and gynaecology in London, Oxford and even a spell in Africa. These were the early days of IVF and he worked with some of its pioneers (Bob Edwards, Howard Jacobs).
He became a consultant in Leeds in 1996 with subspecialty accreditation in Reproductive Medicine, helping to create one of the UK’s largest IVF units – Leeds Fertility, of which he is the Lead Clinician. For many years Adam has had a particular interest in the causes and management of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). His experience covers the full spectrum of the condition including; its effects during adolescence and adult life on the menstrual cycle, fertility, body weight, cosmetic effects, as well as the issues that PCOS may have on the quality of life and long-term health.
Professor Balen has been the only UK gynaecologist to sit on the international consensus groups on the definition and management of PCOS, which have written major guidelines since 2003. He is currently Chair of the World Health Organisation (WHO) expert working group on the management of PCOS for the Global Taskforce on Infertility, which produced global guidelines that were published in 2016. He is also part of the global guidelines group coordinated by CRE PCOS Australia, ESHRE and the ASRM that published further guidelines in 2018.
For many years Adam was on the Executive Committee of the British Fertility Society and was elected Chair in 2015-2018. He now sits on the Board of Trustees. He is also Fellows Representative for Yorkshire, Humber and the North on the Council of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, for which is is also the spokesperson on all matters relating to Reproductive Medicine. He also chairs the NHS England working group on funding for IVF, which aims to provide equitable funding for assisted conception throughout the UK.
During his tenure as Chair of the BFS, Adam oversaw the creation of two new national task forces: Fertility Preservation UK, to ensure nationwide provision for those who require fertility preservation for medical reasons and The Fertility Education Initiative, to improve the provision of education to young people about all aspects of reproductive health, including factors that may influence their future fertility. He continues as Chair of The Fertility Education Initiative, which has influenced the Government in the UK to include fertility education on the national curriculum as part of relationship and sex education (RSE) in schools.
In addition to PCOS, Adam Balen is a leading UK expert in paediatric and adolescent gynaecology and disorders of sexual development and differentiation and runs a regional referral service for the North of England. He has contributed to several articles and features in the media, including the BBC programme Me, My Sex and I.
Adam is the author of 13 books and over 230 peer-reviewed papers. He lectures and speaks widely at institutions nationally and internationally.
Former Chair of The British Fertility Society
2015 – 2018
With the encouragement of IVF pioneers, Patrick Steptoe and Bob Edwards, the British Fertility Society was founded in 1972. Since then the burgeoning knowledge in this exciting area of medicine has resulted in the development and introduction of many new reproductive technologies and clinical practices. The BFS has grown alongside the development of the specialty and now actively promotes the sharing of knowledge, further education and best practice. Today the Society recognises the multi-disciplinary nature of both science and practice in reproductive medicine and welcomes all professionals working in the field including; andrologists, counsellors, embryologists, endocrinologists and nurses.
Chair of the Expert Working Group on the Management of PCOS at World Health Organisation
2012 – Present
Adam is currently the Chair of the World Health Organisation Expert Working Group on the management of PCOS for the Global Taskforce on Infertility.
Personal Chair: Professor of Reproductive Medicine and Surgery at University of Leeds
2004 – Present
Author, Lecturer and Media Presenter
2000 – Present
Adam Balen is the author of 13 books and over 230 peer-reviewed papers. Best-selling titles include;
Infertility in Practice (4th edition published 2014), Reproductive Endocrinology for the MRCOG and Beyond (2007), The Multi-disciplinary Approach to Paediatric and Adolescent Gynaecology (2004) and Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, RCOG Study Group (2010). Adam has delivered over 250 lectures worldwide. He has appeared on many TV and radio shows including a programme for the BBC called “Me, My Sex and I” (2011).
Co Founder at British Society of Paediatric and Adolescent Gynaecology (BritSPAG)
1998 – Present
Consultant Gynaecologist and subspecialist in Reproductive Medicine at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust and Lead Clinician of Leeds Fertility.
1996 – Present
Adam Balen is one of five consultants at the Leeds Fertility, formerly Leeds Centre for Reproductive Medicine (LCRM), a specialist centre for all aspects of fertility treatment, assisted conception, polycystic ovary syndrome, disorders of sexual development and paediatric and adolescent gynaecology.
Fellows Representative for Yorkshire, Humber and the North on the Council of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG), for which is is also the spokesperson on all matters relating to Reproductive Medicine. The RCOG is the professional body for all UK obstetricians and gynaecologists and has a global reach, with members and meetings around the world.
Former Chair of the Special Interest Group in Reproductive Endocrinology at European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE)
2008 – 2011
The main aim of this society is to promote interest and understanding of reproductive biology and medicine.
University of Leeds
DSc, Reproductive Endocrinology/Infertility, 2010
Royal College of Obstetricians & Gynaecology
FRCOG, 2002
University of London
Doctor of Medicine (MD), 1995
Royal College of Obstetricians & Gynaecology
MRCOG, 1990
St Bartholomews Hodpital Medical School, University of London
MB BS, Medicine, 1978 – 1983

