Virilization: A common female health condition

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Virilization

• SYMPTOMS CAUSES TREATMENT DIAGNOSIS

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What is virilization ?

• Virilization is a condition that causes a female
  to develop male-pattern hair growth and other
  masculine traits. Women with virilization often
  have an imbalance in the sex hormones oestrogen
  and testosterone.
• Virilization is caused by an overproduction of
  testosterone or use of anabolic steroids,
  synthetic substances that act like the male
  hormone testosterone.

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Causes of virilization

• Any underlying medical condition that causes
  an imbalance in sex hormone levels can result in
  virilization. These conditions are likely to
  cause adrenal hyperplasia, an overproduction of
  hormones in the adrenal cortex. In some cases,
  the overproduction of adrenal hormones is caused
  by an adenoma (cancerous tumour). This type of
  tumour is normally located within the adrenal
  glands.
• Other causes of virilization include
• Use of male hormone supplements
• Use of steroids to increase muscle mass
• Development of ovarian cysts (normally seen in
  patients with polycystic ovary syndrome)

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Symptoms of virilization

• Women with this condition often experience
  male-pattern baldness. They also tend to have an
  eruption of acne on the chest, back, face,
  hairline, underarms and groin.
• Other symptoms of virilization include
• Excessive facial hair (normally located on the
  cheeks, chin, and upper lip)
• Deepening of the voice
• Increased sex drive
• Smaller than normal breasts
• Enlarged clitoris
• Irregular menstrual cycles

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Treatment of virilization

• Removal of an adrenal gland that contains an
  adenoma is the most common treatment for
  virilization. This is normally done surgically.
  However, the doctor may choose chemotherapy or
  radiation treatments if the tumour is in a
  dangerous area or is difficult to reach. These
  therapies help shrink the growth before its
  removed.
• If a tumour is not the cause, the doctor may
  prescribe oral contraceptives to help balance
  your hormone levels. He or she may prescribe an
  oral contraceptive that blocks your testosterone
  production completely.

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Diagnosis of virilization

• The blood sample will be tested for the presence
  of testosterone, oestrogen, progesterone, and
  other hormones. increased level of male sex
  hormones is usually an indication of this
  condition.
• This test will help determine where the excess
  androgens are coming from. If the doctor suspects
  that they are caused by a cancerous adenoma, he
  or she will perform an imaging test, such as a
  computed tomography (CT) scan. This will allow
  the doctor to view structures within the body in
  detail. Your doctor can determine if abnormal
  growths are present using the imaging scans.