virilization

Virilization refers to the development of male secondary sex characteristics in a female. This can occur in a female fetus, leading to masculinization of the urogenital tract, or in a female after puberty, such as the growth of facial hair.12

This condition can arise from various factors, including inborn errors in metabolism that lead to an excess of androgens (male sex hormones). For example, female pseudohermaphroditism can be caused by adrenal issues that result in increased androgen secretion. In some cases, virilization can be influenced by maternal exposure to synthetic androgens during pregnancy.3

Virilization is also associated with conditions like male pseudohermaphroditism, where males may have deficiencies in virilization, resulting in ambiguous genitalia. Syndromes such as Klinefelter and Turner syndromes, as well as testicular feminization, are also related to intersexuality and hormonal imbalances that affect sexual development.3