It is with deep sorrow that the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) acknowledges the passing of longtime member Abraham Albert Yuzpe  who died November 13, 2025.  

A Pioneer in Reproductive Medicine 

Dr. Yuzpe, a distinguished Canadian reproductive endocrinologist, leaves behind a legacy of transformative contributions to fertility care worldwide. 
After earning his MD in 1964 and MSc in 1967 from the University of Western Ontario, followed by fellowship training in obstetrics and gynecology, Dr. Yuzpe embarked on a career that would shape modern infertility treatment.  
In the 1960s, he conducted foundational research on fertility-promoting drugs, including the refinement of clomiphene citrate and human menopausal gonadotropins.
 
In August 1974, he published what became known as the “Yuzpe method,” a landmark regimen for emergency contraception. This innovation expanded reproductive autonomy and impacted countless women’s lives worldwide. 

Also in the 1970s, he helped introduce laparoscopic surgical techniques to Canada. As an early adopter of what was then controversial, he helped establish the first Canadian training courses in laparoscopy — offering women less invasive, safer surgical options.
  
Recognizing the transformative potential of in vitro fertilization (IVF), Dr. Yuzpe collaborated with early IVF pioneers and, in 1982, founded one of Canada’s first IVF centers at the University of Western Ontario.
  
Over the decades, he co-founded multiple fertility clinics, most recently the Olive Fertility Centre in Vancouver, where he served as Co-Director, and later as Chief Medical Officer of The Fertility Partners. 

 

Mentor, Advocate, and Humanitarian 

Beyond his scientific and clinical achievements, Dr. Yuzpe was celebrated for his compassion, generosity, humility, and humor. Colleagues remember him as a mentor who treated everyone, patients, staff, and peers alike, with dignity and respect. 

 

A Global Legacy and Enduring Impact 

Through his groundbreaking work in fertility drugs, surgical technique, contraception, IVF, education, and advocacy, Dr. Yuzpe helped build the foundation of modern reproductive medicine. He touched the lives of thousands of patients and inspired generations of clinicians and scientists worldwide.  

His loss will be felt deeply across the global fertility community.