hormonal and metabolic disorders
Virilization
Introduction
Virilization is the development of exaggerated masculine characteristics, usually in women, often as a result of the adrenal glands overproducing androgens (male sex steroid hormones such astestosterone). Virilization is caused by excess production of androgens usually because of a tumor in or enlargement of an adrenal gland or a tumor in an ovary or abnormal hormone production by the ovaries. Symptoms include excess facial and body hair, baldness, acne, deepening of the voice, increased muscularity, and an increased sex drive. The body changes make it easy for doctors to recognize virilization, and thedexamethasonesuppression test can help doctors determine the cause. The adrenal gland that contains the tumor is surgically removed, although sometimes drugs can reduce the excess hormone production. (See also Overview of the Adrenal Glands .) Themost commoncause of virilization caused by adrenal sex hormones is an Enlargement of the hormone-producing portions of the adrenal cortex (adrenal hyperplasia) Other causesinclude A hormone-producing tumor (adenoma or cancer) in the adrenal gland A cancer outside the adrenal gland that produces adrenal androgens Large amounts of androgen pills or injections ( Anabolic Steroids ) taken to increase muscle bulk An abnormality in an enzyme (protein) in the adrenal glands that is present from birth Cancers outside the adrenal glands that produce androgens are likely to be tumors of the ovaries. Enlargement of the ovaries due to certain types of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) (including those in An enzyme abnormality in the adrenal glands is often diagnosed in childhood or adolescence and is termed congenital adrenal hyperplasia. 