Published: 30-05-2024 14:06 | Updated: 30-05-2024 15:53

Angelica Lindén Hirschberg honored for groundbreaking work in gynecological endocrinology

Portrait of Angelica Lindén Hirschberg.
Professor Angelica Lindén Hirschberg, Department of Women's and Children's Health. Credit: Sofia Nahringbauer. Photo: Sofia Nahringbauer.

In a recent ceremony held at Karolinska University Hospital, Professor Angelica Lindén Hirschberg, a distinguished gynecologist and researcher, was awarded the prestigious prize for exemplary research contributions to patient welfare.

“It’s incredibly exciting and honorable to receive this recognition,” said Professor Angelica Lindén Hirschberg. “At this hospital, we have many outstanding researchers, so it feels fantastic to be acknowledged for our work in gynecological endocrinology.”

Angelica Lindén Hirschberg has been active at Karolinska University Hospital since 1990 and is also a professor at Karolinska Institutet, where she leads research in gynecological endocrinology. Her work focuses on various hormonal conditions in women, particularly those related to impaired fertility and metabolic health risks.

She is also medically responsible for Sweden’s only highly specialized clinic in gynecological endocrinology. Patients from across the country seek assistance there for conditions such as atypical gender development, chromosomal abnormalities, ovarian dysfunction, and gynecological malformations. The clinic collaborates with the Women’s Health Research Clinic, where patients participate in various studies aimed at developing diagnostics and new treatment methods.

Premature ovarian insufficiency

One of her most groundbreaking research efforts is in the area of premature ovarian insufficiency (POI). This condition involves young women experiencing early menopause and infertility. In a recently conducted pilot study, her team demonstrated that immunomodulatory treatment can prompt the ovaries to respond to ovarian stimulation and lead to pregnancy in some of these women. The results have been sensational and offer hope to women who previously could only conceive through egg donation.

Professor Lindén Hirschberg also mentioned that they recently received a significant grant from the Swedish Research Council to conduct a larger randomized placebo-controlled study in this field. 

“We hope to improve the quality of life for women suffering from POI and provide them with the opportunity to become mothers naturally,” she said.