Part 2: Interview with authors of new book at EAU25
In Madrid, the EAU is presenting a new publication on the history of fertility and infertility. In the first part of this interview, we met the authors and learned about how urology and fertility overlap, and what the initial inspiration was for this book.
What are some of your favourite insights or vignettes that were included?
Dr. Helena Van Kerrebroeck-Gijbels: “Some of the most amusing anecdotes come from times when, due to a lack of medical knowledge, certain decisions were made that we now find rather humorous. For example, cases where infertility was automatically attributed to women, when in reality the cause was something like an undiagnosed hypospadias in the male partner. These historical misconceptions remind us how far we’ve come—and how much we still have to learn.”
Prof. Philip Van Kerrebroeck: “What first comes to mind are the impressive achievements in the fields of fertility and infertility by researchers and clinicians. The names of these individuals have often have been forgotten but to present their discoveries in a historical framework is not only intriguing and interesting but also shows how discoveries can be the result of serendipity or of persistent research steps. It is also remarkable to note that the majority of the pioneers are male but nevertheless some remarkable females are responsible for major discoveries. When it comes to the societal aspects of fertility the role of some remarkable females is obvious.”
“Perhaps the most appealing stories are the short ‘in-between’ chapters that highlight some more anecdotal aspects of fertility and infertility. Nevertheless this narrative illustrates how fertility problems can have major impact on history and have consequences even today. Hence the subtitle of the book: From prehistory to the present.”
A sample spread from the new book.
What were you interested to learn from each other’s respective fields while researching and writing this book?
Dr. Van Kerrebroeck-Gijbels: “One of the most fascinating aspects was seeing how differently urologists and gynaecologists approach fertility. Over the years, so much knowledge has been gained, and history is full of fascinating anecdotes—some of which we now see as humorous, simply because we understand so much more today. Bringing these perspectives together allowed us to create a truly comprehensive guide.”
“On a personal level, I’ve always admired my father’s deep knowledge of history and art—something he inherited from his own father and passed down to us throughout our upbringing. Museum and gallery visits were a cherished part of my childhood, and working on this book felt like a continuation of those lessons, blending science, history, and storytelling in a way that felt both familiar and inspiring.”
Prof. Van Kerrebroeck: “For several years I have been collecting information on the history of fertility and infertility with a focus on the male situation. As obviously the role of females is important additional research was necessary to have a more complete overview of the topic and hence I asked Helena as a gynaecologist if she was interested and willing to work together on this manuscript. Enthusiastically she joined and our common effort resulted in this EAU25 membership gift publication. I think having received the feedback from a gynaecologist with an interest in fertility problems helped transmit relevant information for the professional of today.”
What was it like working as a father-daughter team?
Dr. Van Kerrebroeck-Gijbels: “It was both rewarding and enlightening. While we have always shared a passion for medicine, collaborating on this book allowed us to appreciate each other’s expertise in a new way. There were moments of academic debate, but ultimately, our combined perspectives made the book stronger. Plus, it was a unique opportunity to create something meaningful together—both as professionals and as family.”
Prof. Van Kerrebroeck: “It was obviously a unique experience. There was of course a mutual interest in our work in the past years, and we had already worked together on some earlier publications. However to cooperate on a such a large manuscript was still a work of another scale. I was mainly responsible for the historic information and background, but Helena checked this in view of the role of the achievements relevant for clinical relevance and in view of current-day practice.”
- Human Fertility and Infertility: From Prehistory to the Present is a new, beautifully illustrated 224-page book that can be collected by EAU Members with the right entitlements at the EAU Square (G68) in the EAU25 Exhibition. Available while stocks last!