Meet Michael

Medical Director - Monash IVF NSW

Dr Michael Costello is a Gynaecologist and Specialist in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility (CREI). A CREI qualification is Australia’s highest awarded qualification in the field of infertility acknowledged by the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RANZCOG). Michael is also a recognised Australian and International expert in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), Unexplained Infertility, and IVF.

Michael completed his specialty training in Obstetrics and Gynaecology (O&G) and attained his RANZCOG fellowship. He then undertook further sub-specialty training in infertility and reproductive endocrinology at the Royal Hospital for Women (RHW) in Sydney and Jessop University Hospital in Sheffield, England.

Michael has obtained further academic qualifications including a Masters in Reproductive Medicine (MMed) from the University of Sydney in 2002 and a Doctor of Medical Science (DMedSc) from the University of NSW (UNSW) in 2015, with the latter degree establishing Michael as an international authority in infertility disorders.

Michael is extremely passionate about education, he is a senior Lecturer in O&G with the UNSW, and a Clinical Academic with the Department of Reproductive Medicine at the RHW. He teaches and examines for the undergraduate Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) degree, postgraduate Masters of Reproductive Medicine degree (MRMed) at the UNSW, and the subspecialty degree of CREI for the RANZCOG. He also lectures regularly at local, national, and international scientific conferences and has written over 100 medical publications including scientific journal papers, book chapters, and books. These academic commitments allow Michael to be at the leading edge of the latest research which he applies to his clinical practice.

Michael is nationally and internationally recognised as an expert in Infertility and Reproductive Endocrinology as evidenced by:

• Author (and chairing the fertility section) of the following Evidence-Based Guidelines on Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)
- Australian Guidelines published 2011 (1st ever evidence-based guidelines on PCOS & adopted internationally)
- Updated Australian Guidelines published in 2015 (adopted internationally)
- International Guidelines published 2018 (1st ever international guidelines on PCOS)
- Updated International Guidelines published 2023

• Author of the ESHRE (European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology) Guidelines on Unexplained Infertility published in 2023
• Author of an invited International Expert Meeting Consensus Review Publication on IVF published in 2023
• Author (lead author and chair) of the Australian Evidence-Based Guideline for Unexplained Infertility published in 2024

Patients will appreciate Michael’s thorough and professional approach, he believes that if something is worth doing, then it’s worth doing properly. This belief along with contributing to the latest evidence-based research and guidelines on infertility treatment leads him to provide patients with the best possible clinical care.

This doctor has participated in LGBTIQ+ Diversity & Inclusion training and is committed to providing an affirming experience for their patients.

Recent Publications

• Recommendations from the 2023 International Evidence-based guideline for assessment and management of polycystic ovary syndrome 2023. Published in Human Reproduction, The European Journal of Endocrinology, Fertility and Sterility, and The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism
  Read publication here

• International evidence-based guideline for the assessment and management of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) 2023.
  Read publication here

• Statins for women with polycystic ovary syndrome not actively trying to conceive 2023.
  Read publication here

• International evidence-based guideline for the assessment and management of polycystic ovary syndrome 2023 – Summary.
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• International PCOS guideline clinical research priorities roadmap: a co-designed approach aligned with end-user priorities in a neglected women’s health condition 2024.
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• Unexplained infertility: Guideline of European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology 2023.
  Read publication here

• Unexplained Infertility - Evidence-based guideline HR 2023.
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• IVF versus IUI with ovarian stimulation for unexplained infertility: a collaborative individual participant data meta-analysis 2024.
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• Australian Evidence-based Guideline for unexplained infertility: ADAPTE process from the ESHRE Evidence-based Guideline on unexplained infertility 2024.
  Read publication here

• Recommendations from the 2024 Australian evidence-based guideline for unexplained infertility: ADAPTE process from the ESHRE evidence-based guideline on unexplained infertility.
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• Treatment algorithms for high responders: What we can learn from randomized controlled trials, real-world data and models 2023.
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• Health needs, treatment decisions and experience of traditional complementary and integrative medicine use by women with diminished ovarian reserve: A cross-sectional survey. 2024
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• Establishing key components of naturopathic management of women with diminished ovarian reserve: A Delphi study. 2024
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• Naturopaths' approach to care of women with infertility: A cross-sectional survey. 2024
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• Effectiveness of naturopathy for pregnancy in women with diminished ovarian reserve: feasibility randomized controlled trial. 2024
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• Research Integrity in Guidelines and evidence synthesis (RIGID): a framework for assessing research integrity in guideline development and evidence synthesis. 2024
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