Virilization (patient information)

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Editor-in-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S.,M.D. [1] Phone:617-632-7753; Associate Editor(s)-In-Chief: Varun Kumar, M.B.B.S.

Virilization is when a female develops male sex characteristics, or a newborn boy has increased male characteristics at birth.

• Virilization may be caused by:

• Excess testosterone production
• Use of anabolic steroids

• In newborn girls, the condition may be caused by:

• Certain medications taken by the mother during pregnancy
• Congenital adrenal hyperplasia in the baby or her mother
• Other medical conditions in the mother (such as tumors of the ovaries or adrenal glands that release male hormones)

Signs of virilization in a female may include:

• Deepening of the voice
• Facial hair
• Increase in body hair
• Male-pattern baldness
• Swelling of the clitoris

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

Directions to Hospitals Treating Virilization

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/002339.htm

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