Virilization: A common female health condition (1)

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Virilization
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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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What are the 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)
• Cases of virilization caused by PCOS are usually
  placid. Doctors dont know exactly what causes
  PCOS. However, they believe that high insulin
  levels and genetics play a role. Women with PCOS
  often have masculine characteristics, including
  male pattern baldness and facial hair.

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Symptoms

• 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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How virilization is diagnosed?

• Tell your doctor about all the symptoms or
  physical changes youve experienced. Mention any
  medications youre currently taking, including
  birth control. PCOS tends to run in families, so
  learning your familys medical history can help
  your doctor determine the cause of your
  virilization. If your doctor is unable to
  diagnose the cause of virilization right away, he
  or she may take a blood sample. 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. The doctor will perform a test
  called the dexamethasone suppression test if you
  have a higher-than-normal level of androgens in
  your blood. 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.

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Treatments

• 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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