What is progestin induced Virilization?
“Progestin-induced virilization” refers to a situation in which a woman who is pregnant with a female fetus (46,XX) ingests drugs called progestins that cause the female fetus to be virilized, i.e., to develop more along the male pathway.
What is female virilization?
Virilization is a condition in which a female develops characteristics associated with male hormones (androgens), or when a newborn has characteristics of male hormone exposure at birth.
What causes masculinization in females?
Virilization can cause women to develop masculine traits, such as male pattern baldness and excessive facial and body hair growth. Virilization is typically caused by an imbalance in sex hormones. This may result from using male hormone supplements or anabolic steroids.
Does Progesterone Masculinize?
Maternal use of androgens or high doses of certain weakly androgenic synthetic progestogens (progestins) structurally related to testosterone can masculinize (virilize) the external genitalia of a female fetus during susceptible times in pregnancy.
Is progestin a hormone?
Progestin is a form of progesterone, the hormone that plays a role in the menstrual cycle and pregnancy. Progestin is used in several birth control methods.
Is CAH a birth defect?
A birth defect is a health condition that is present in a baby at birth. For a baby to have CAH, both parents either have CAH themselves or they are both CAH carriers. A CAH carrier has the gene change for CAH, but doesn’t have CAH.
What is female Pseudohermaphroditism?
Patients with female pseudohermaphroditism have female internal genitalia and karyotype (XX) and various degree of external genitalia virilization. External genitalia is musculinized congenitally when female fetus is exposed to excess androgenic environment.
What is the difference between hirsutism and virilization?
Abstract. Hirsutism is the medical term that refers to the presence of excessive terminal (coarse) hair in androgen-sensitive areas of the female body (upper lip, chin, chest, back, abdomen, arms, and thighs). Virilization is more extensive than hirsutism with additional evidence of masculinization.
Is progesterone a male or female hormone?
Progesterone is known as a female hormone, but males need progesterone to produce testosterone. The adrenal glands and testes in males produce progesterone.
What are the side effects of progesterone?
Progesterone may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
- headache.
- breast tenderness or pain.
- upset stomach.
- vomiting.
- diarrhea.
- constipation.
- tiredness.
- muscle, joint, or bone pain.
What does progestin do to the uterus?
Progestins work by causing changes in the uterus. After the amount of progestins in the blood drops, the lining of the uterus begins to come off and vaginal bleeding occurs (menstrual period). Progestins help other hormones start and stop the menstrual cycle. .
How are progestins and androgens related to virilization?
Progestin-induced virilization. Maternal use of androgens or high doses of certain weakly androgenic synthetic progestogens (progestins) structurally related to testosterone can masculinize (virilize) the external genitalia of a female fetus during susceptible times in pregnancy.
What does it mean when a woman has virilization?
Virilization is a condition in which women develop male-pattern hair growth and other masculine physical traits. Women with virilization often have an imbalance in their sex hormones, including male sex hormones such as testosterone.
Are there any steroids that cause virilization of women?
Androgens. The only sex steroid currently utilized in women that can cause virilization of female fetuses when administered in usually administered doses is the androgen danazol, a derivative of ethisterone (ethinyltestosterone). Fetal masculinization of female external genitalia has resulted from doses of danazol as low as 200 mg/day,…
What kind of tests are done for virilization?
An increased level of androgens, such as testosterone, often accompanies virilization. If your doctor suspects that you have a tumor on your adrenal gland, they’ll order an imaging test, such as a CT scan. This will allow them to view structures inside your body in detail, which can help them learn if any abnormal growths are present.
