Virilization Health Article

Definition

Virilization is the development of male sex characteristics in a female. It may also refer to the condition of a newborn boy who shows signs of increased male characteristics at birth.

Information

Virilization may result from too much testosterone production in the endocrine glands or from the use of anabolic steroids.

Female newborns may also show signs of virilization if they or their mothers have a condition known as congenital adrenal hyperplasia.

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

Blood tests can be done to detect excess testosterone in females.

References

Endocrine Society. Androgen therapy in women: An Endocrine Society Clinical Practice Guideline. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2006;91(10):2697-3716.

Parker KL. Sexual Differentiation. In: Griffin JE, Ojeda SR. Textbook of Endocrine Physiology. New York, NY: Oxford University Press; 2004:167-185.