Maria Sousa

Biographical summary

Maria Sousa — English-Speaking Gynaecologist in Porto

In-person consultations in Porto · online consultations from Lisbon and across Europe · for patients aged 18 and over · English, Portuguese, Spanish, Italian

Dr. Maria Sousa is a gynaecologist who recently completed her residency at the Centro Materno-Infantil do Norte (CMIN) — one of Portugal's leading maternal-fetal centres — and obtained her specialist title in early 2026. She runs a general gynaecology practice with a particular focus on ovarian and cervical conditions: assessment of ovarian cysts and masses, follow-up of cervical changes, contraception counselling, and treatment for pelvic organ prolapse.

She is a young doctor with a remarkably current and well-rounded training: international certifications in ovarian ultrasound assessment and minimally invasive gynaecological surgery, an active research record, and a gentle, unhurried manner of communication — particularly valuable in gynaecology, where patients often need to feel heard without being rushed or judged.

About the Doctor

Dr. Sousa completed her entire training pathway at CMIN — one of the country's strongest gynaecology centres: the General Year Internship in 2019, residency in Gynaecology and Obstetrics from 2020 to 2025, and since January 2026 she has worked there as a specialist (Assistente Hospitalar). Despite her young age, she already holds international-level certifications that are uncommon for an early-career specialist.

Her IOTA (International Ovarian Tumor Analysis) certification reflects the international standard for ultrasound assessment of ovarian masses, helping to reliably distinguish a benign cyst from a finding that needs further monitoring or referral to a gynaecological oncologist. Her GESEA Level 1 and 2 certifications (Minimally Invasive Gynaecological Surgeon, ESGE) reflect training in laparoscopic gynaecological surgery to the European educational standard.

Dr. Sousa is an active researcher — recent publications include case reports on rare presentations of ectopic pregnancy, a study on the impact of hysterectomy on female sexual function, and a paper on the treatment of refractory immune thrombocytopenia in pregnancy. At CMIN conferences, she has received awards for presentations on pre-cancerous cervical changes and for a video on laparoscopic surgery for uterine prolapse.

Education and Experience

Dr. Sousa graduated from the Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar (ICBAS), University of Porto (Integrated Master's in Medicine, 2012–2018), including an Erasmus exchange semester at the Università degli Studi dell'Aquila (Italy).

In 2019, she completed the General Year Internship, and from 2020 to 2025 her residency in Gynaecology and Obstetrics, both at the Centro Materno-Infantil do Norte (CMIN). Since January 2026, she has worked there as a gynaecology specialist (Assistente Hospitalar de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia).

Certifications: IOTA Certificate (International Ovarian Tumor Analysis Group); GESEA Level 1 and 2 — Minimally Invasive Gynaecological Surgeon (European Society for Gynaecological Endoscopy).

Registered with the Portuguese Medical Association (Ordem dos Médicos), license No. 66200.

Routine gynaecological consultations — preventive examination, cytology screening, ultrasound assessment
Ovarian cysts and masses — ultrasound assessment using the international IOTA protocol, monitoring, and determination of next steps
Cervical changes — follow-up based on cytology and HPV testing, management of patients with pre-cancerous changes (CIN)
Menstrual cycle disorders
Contraception counselling — evaluation of indications, contraindications, individualized choice
Uterine fibroids — assessment, monitoring, discussion of treatment options including minimally invasive surgery
Pelvic organ prolapse — assessment, conservative and surgical treatment options
Second opinions on gynaecological diagnoses and proposed treatment plans

What Happens During the Visit

Gynaecological examination
Pelvic ultrasound — transvaginal and transabdominal, including focused assessment of ovarian masses using the IOTA protocol
Collection of gynaecological tests and smears — cytology, HPV testing, vaginal flora smear
Treatment management — prescriptions, follow-up, treatment adjustment
Care coordination — onward referral when surgical treatment or other specialist input is required

Surgical Care

Dr. Sousa performs minimally invasive (laparoscopic) gynaecological surgery for her UMC patients in the operating rooms of partner clinics — for ovarian cysts, uterine fibroids, pelvic organ prolapse, and other benign gynaecological conditions. If you are followed by Dr. Sousa at UMC and surgery is indicated, she manages the case from the initial consultation through postoperative follow-up.

The list of procedures and their costs is available on request through the clinic reception: each operation is priced individually based on complexity, type of anaesthesia, and length of stay.

How to Book an Appointment

Dr. Sousa sees patients at the UMC Porto clinic and offers online consultations from Lisbon and any other location. Appointments are available with or without health insurance, with or without a referral — and in most cases, you can be seen the same day.

You can book an appointment in any of the following ways:

Through the online booking form on umc.clinic
Via the website chat
On WhatsApp
Through the Telegram bot @umcl_bot
By phone — we're always available and speak your language