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Virilization
Virilization is a condition in which a female develops characteristics associated with male hormones (androgens), or when a newborn has characteristics of male hormone exposure at birth.
Information
Virilization may be caused by:
- Excess testosterone production
- Use of anabolic steroids
In newborn boys or girls, the condition may be caused by:
- Certain medicines taken by the mother during pregnancy
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Congenital adrenal hyperplasia
in the baby or the mother
Congenital adrenal hyperplasia
Congenital adrenal hyperplasia is the name given to a group of inherited disorders of the adrenal gland.
ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article - Other medical conditions in the mother (such as tumors of the ovaries or adrenal glands that release male hormones)
In girls who are going through puberty, the condition may be caused by:
-
Polycystic ovary syndrome
Polycystic ovary syndrome
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a condition in which a woman has an imbalance of female sex hormones. This may lead to changes in the menstrual ...
ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article - Certain medicines, or anabolic steroids
- Congenital adrenal hyperplasia
- Tumors of the ovaries, or adrenal glands that release male hormones (androgens)
In adult women, the condition may be caused by:
- Certain medicines, or anabolic steroids
- Tumors of the ovaries or adrenal glands that release male hormones
Signs of virilization in a female often depend on the level of testosterone in the body.
Low level (common):
- Thick, dark facial hair in the beard or mustache area
- Increase in body hair
- Oily skin or acne
- Irregular menstrual periods
Moderate level (uncommon):
- Male-pattern baldness
- Loss of female fat distribution
- Decreased breast size
High level (rare):
- Enlargement of the clitoris
- Deepening of the voice
- Male muscle pattern
Tests may include:
- Blood tests to detect excess testosterone in females
- CT scan, MRI, or ultrasound to rule out tumors of the ovaries and adrenal glands
References
Bright TM. Hirsutism and virilization. In: McDermott MT, ed. Endocrine Secrets . 6th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2013:chap 48.
Gooren LJ. The endocrinology of sexual behavior and gender identity. In: Jameson JL, De Groot LJ, de Kretser DM, et al, eds. Endocrinology: Adult and Pediatric . 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2015:chap 124.
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Hypothalamus hormone production - illustration
The hypothalamus is an area of the brain that produces the "controlling" hormones. These hormones regulate body processes such as metabolism, and control the release of hormones from glands like the thyroid, the adrenals and the gonads (testes or ovaries).
Hypothalamus hormone production
illustration
-
Hypothalamus hormone production - illustration
The hypothalamus is an area of the brain that produces the "controlling" hormones. These hormones regulate body processes such as metabolism, and control the release of hormones from glands like the thyroid, the adrenals and the gonads (testes or ovaries).
Hypothalamus hormone production
illustration
Review Date: 4/23/2015
Reviewed By: Brent Wisse, MD, Associate Professor of Medicine, Division of Metabolism, Endocrinology & Nutrition, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Isla Ogilvie, PhD, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
