Virilism Health Dictionary

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Virilism: From 3 Different Sources

The presence in a woman of masculine characteristics.

Virilism is caused by excessive levels of androgen hormones.

Androgens are male sex hormones which, in women, are normally secreted in small amounts by the adrenal glands and ovaries.

Raised levels induce various changes in women, including hirsutism; male-pattern baldness; disruption or cessation of menstruation; enlargement of the clitoris; loss of normal fat deposits around the hips; development of the arm and shoulder muscles; and deepening of the voice.

Health Source: BMA Medical Dictionary
Author: The British Medical Association
The condition in which masculine characteristics develop in the female; it is commonly the result of an overactive suprarenal gland (see ADRENAL GLANDS), or of a tumour of its cortex. It may also result from an ANDROGEN-secreting ovarian tumour (see OVARIES, DISEASES OF) and also from the POLYCYSTIC OVARY SYNDROME. The overproduction of male-sex (androgen) hormones can produce excess growth of hair, male pattern hairline, stopping or disruption of MENSTRUATION, enlargement of the CLITORIS and conversion to a masculine body shape.
Health Source: Medical Dictionary
Author: Health Dictionary
n. the development in a female of male secondary sexual characteristics, such as increased body hair, muscle bulk, and deepening of the voice.
Health Source: Oxford | Concise Colour Medical Dictionary
Author: Jonathan Law, Elizabeth Martin

Androgen

The general term for any one of a group of HORMONES which govern the development of the sexual organs and the secondary sexual characteristics of the male. TESTOSTERONE, the androgenic hormone formed in the interstitial cells of the testis (see TESTICLE), controls the development and maintenance of the male sex organs and secondary sex characteristics. In small doses it increases the number of spermatozoa (see SPERMATOZOON) produced, but in large doses it inhibits the gonadotrophic activity of the anterior PITUITARY GLAND and suppresses the formation of the spermatozoa. It is both androgenic and anabolic in action. The anabolic e?ect includes the ability to stimulate protein synthesis and to diminish the catabolism of amino acids, and this is associated with retention of nitrogen, potassium, phosphorus and calcium. Doses in excess of 10 mg daily to the female may produce VIRILISM.

Unconjugated testosterone is rarely used clinically because its derivatives have a more powerful and prolonged e?ect, and because testosterone itself requires implantation into the subcutaneous fat using a trocar and cannula for maximum therapeutic bene?t. Testosterone propionate is prepared in an oily solution, as it is insoluble in water; it is e?ective for three days and is therefore administered intramuscularly twice weekly. Testosterone phenyl-propionate is a long-acting microcrystalline preparation which, when given by intramuscular or subcutaneous injection, is e?ective for four weeks. Testosterone enantate is another long-acting intramuscular preparation. Mesterolone is an e?ective oral androgen and is less hepatoxic: it does not inhibit pituitary gonadotrophic production and hence spermatogenesis is unimpaired. Testosterone undecanoate is also an e?ective oral form.... androgen

Masculinization

n. development of excess body and facial hair, deepening of the voice, and increase in muscle bulk (secondary male sexual characteristics) in a female due to a hormone disorder or to hormone therapy. See also virilism; virilization.... masculinization

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