Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility

The Section of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility at the University of Chicago, under the leadership of Dr. A. Musa Zamah, Section Chief, treats individuals with infertility and other reproductive health needs.

"It is a tremendous privilege and honor to be able to help patients build their families. Our section believes that one of our key roles as infertility specialists is patient education. We want to empower patients so they feel confident in choosing the family-building options that are best for their situation. I am proud to say that the University of Chicago Medicine Center for Reproductive Medicine and Fertility offers state-of-the-art fertility treatments in a compassionate, patient-oriented setting." - Dr. Zamah

Clinical Care

Common conditions that may cause infertility include irregular menstrual cycles, polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), endometriosis, uterine fibroids, diminished ovarian reserve (low number of eggs in the ovaries), and male factor-related issues such as low sperm count. We also specialize in the treatment of patients with recurrent pregnancy loss and miscarriage. 

Dr. Zamah has a clinical interest in difficult in vitro fertilization (IVF) cases, including recurrent implantation failure, poor embryo quality, and oncofertility. He has expertise in managing complex fertility challenges through individualized treatment plans and is committed to patient education throughout the fertility journey.

Dr. Sana Salih, Director of the Oncofertility and Fertility Preservation Program, has clinical expertise in recurrent pregnancy loss, advanced reproductive technologies, fertility preservation, oncofertility, and minimally invasive reproductive surgery. As a certified high-complexity laboratory director (HCLD), she brings specialized expertise in embryology and laboratory science to help optimize fertility treatment outcomes.

Dr. Todd Deutch provides comprehensive fertility care for individuals and couples pursuing family building, with expertise in IVF, third-party reproduction, fertility preservation, LGBTQ+ family planning, and fertility care for single parents by choice. He works closely with patients to develop individualized treatment plans that align with their goals and values.

In addition to providing services for fertility testing and diagnosis, we offer a wide range of treatments for patients ranging from fertility drug therapy with artificial insemination to IVF with intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) and pre-implantation genetic testing of embryos (PGT), including sex selection. We also specialize in offering fertility preservation counseling and procedures such as egg and embryo freezing for patients wishing to preserve their future fertility. Additionally, we have expertise in offering a full complement of third-party reproductive services if needed, including the use of donor sperm, donor eggs, donor embryos, and gestational carriers (surrogacy).

We are committed to the philosophy that everyone who wants to build a family should be able to do so – when they are ready to do so. We have extensive experience with same-sex couples and understand the fertility options available for them. We offer both IVF and intrauterine insemination to support LGBTQ+ family building and work with third-party reproduction services for egg and sperm donors or gestational carriers. For individuals or couples who choose to delay family building, we offer banking of sperm, eggs, and embryos. Our team has experts in helping LGBTQ+ couples conceive and provides fertility-preserving services for transgender and gender non-conforming individuals through the University of Chicago Medicine Transgender Clinic for Affirmation and Reproductive Equity (CARE).

Some fertility problems are best treated by surgical interventions. Our team works closely with our board-certified colleagues in Complex Gynecology and Surgery to deliver the best care while using the least invasive techniques available. Dr. Shari Snow, Dr. Sandra Laveaux, and Dr. Laura Douglass have advanced training in minimally invasive gynecologic surgical techniques and work closely with our fertility group to offer surgical treatments for fibroids through the Center for the Advanced Treatment and Research (CATeR) of Uterine Fibroids, endometriosis, uterine abnormalities such as uterine septum, uterine polyps, and fallopian tube abnormalities/tubal disease.

For individuals who experience cervical insufficiency/weak cervix, Dr. Douglass and her colleague, Dr. Andrew Fisher, are expertly trained in transabdominal cerclage surgery, a procedure that prevents pregnancy loss.

Patients with male-factor-related fertility issues may benefit from the expertise of a reproductive urologist to discuss medical and surgical treatment options. Dr. Denise Asafu-Adjei is fellowship-trained in male reproductive urology and sexual dysfunction. She is the Director of Men’s Health and Male Reproductive Medicine at UChicago Medicine and leads the Men’s Wellness Clinic. She offers comprehensive medical and surgical treatments for all male fertility issues, including sexual dysfunctions such as erectile dysfunction and ejaculatory issues. Dr. Asafu-Adjei is fully invested in partnering with her patients throughout their fertility journey. From diagnostic tests and procedures (e.g., semen analyses, testicular mapping, genetic testing) to hormonal management and surgical interventions (e.g., varicocele repairs, sperm retrievals, microsurgical vasectomy reversals).

Research

In addition to their clinical work, our Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility section is actively engaged in research to investigate the causes of infertility, evaluate new treatments and therapies, and improve the quality of care patients receive.

Dr. Zamah is interested in oocyte maturation and granulosa cell biology. Some of his recent publications include “Parenting intentions in transgender and gender-nonconforming adults,” International Journal of Gynecology and Obstetrics; “Regulation of Insulin-Like Growth Factor 2 by Oocyte-Secreted Factors in Primary Human Granulosa Cells,” Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism; and “Oocyte-Secreted Factors Synergize with FSH to Promote Aromatase Expression in Primary Human Cumulus Cells,” Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism.

Dr. Salih is committed to ongoing research, investigating new and innovative therapies that can improve fertility and fertility preservation for her patients. She is a collaborator in a National Institutes of Health (NIH)-funded project to study the genetic basis for recurrent miscarriage. Her recent work includes Normal Ovarian Reserve During Long-Term Osimertinib Therapy in a Patient With Li-Fraumeni Syndrome: A Case Report and Literature Review, published in Cureus, which explores fertility preservation considerations for patients receiving targeted cancer therapies. Her work has been published in peer-reviewed journals such as Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, Reproductive Sciences, Fertility and Sterility, and more.

Contact Info & Locations

Our convenient locations in South Loop, Hyde Park (DCAM), and Hinsdale allow for quick monitoring appointments during treatment. We also offer ultrasound monitoring at our Orland Park office. Virtual appointments are available for select services. Please call 773-702-6642 or visit the Center for Reproductive Medicine and Fertility for more information or to schedule an appointment.