[1] Hirschberg has contributed to the field of gynecological endocrinology by studying the disorders of reproductive function, gonadal development in women and female athletic performance through translational and experimental research.
She collaborated to develop international PCOS guidelines that offered recommendations, emphasizing refined diagnostics, reduced testing, lifestyle focus, and evidence-based medical therapy to enhance care for affected women.
[10] Hirschberg demonstrated that reduced postprandial cholecystokinin response is associated with impaired appetite regulation, increased sweet cravings, and higher testosterone levels, potentially contributing to elevated binge eating and overweight in PCOS.
She observed that menstrual issues in female endurance athletes, especially amenorrhea, are linked to reduced bone mineral density and flow-mediated dilatation (FMD) and unfavorable lipid profiles, implying cardiovascular risk.
[20] The studies showed that some female athletes experiencing menstrual irregularities, such as oligomenorrhea or amenorrhea, exhibited elevated androgen levels consistent with PCOS, as well as an anabolic body composition, and a performance advantage.
[23] Moreover, she and her research team published a randomized placebo-controlled trial in British Journal of Sports Medicine demonstrating a causal link between enhanced testosterone and induced increases in lean mass and aerobic performance in exercising women.