Health Dictionary
Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.
Virilization
Introduction
Virilization is when a female develops male sex characteristics, or a newborn boy has increased male characteristics at birth.
What causes Virilization?
- 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)
Diagnosis
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
Treatment options
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
Where to find medical care for Virilization?
Directions to Hospitals Treating Virilization
Source
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.
Want to know more?
A more detailed clinical article for the same condition is available from WikiDoc. It is written for medical professionals and uses technical language.