Virile syndrome
Virile syndrome is a condition manifested by the appearance of male secondary sexual characteristics in a woman.
CAUSES OF VIRILE SYNDROME
The main and only reason for the development of such a condition is an excess of male sex hormones in a woman’s body. Normally, such hormones are present in a woman’s body. But, it happens that under certain conditions, the adrenal glands and ovaries begin to produce them excessively. There are several reasons for provoking such a state:
Endocrine dysfunctions.
Side effects of taking certain pharmacological drugs.
The development of adrogen-stimulating tumors. With the development of the syndrome due to such tumors, its course is rapid.
SYMPTOMS OF VIRILE SYNDROME
Characteristic symptomatic signs of the development of virile syndrome are:
male-type alopecia (baldness);
male-type hair loss (hirsutism);
a change in the shape of a woman’s body due to the redistribution of fat (broad shoulders, narrow hips);
clitoral enlargement, breast reduction;
atrophy of external and internal female organs.
decrease in the timbre of the voice and the development of acne.
Among the characteristic symptoms of such a syndrome, it is necessary to mention the violation of the menstrual cycle (or amenorrhea, the complete disappearance of menstruation or the lengthening of the intervals between menstruation).
In childhood, girls suffering from this syndrome may be ahead of their peers in growth, but over time, rapid growth is interrupted and girls remain stunted. It is noteworthy that in this condition, both the entire female body as a whole and its individual organs, especially sensitive to the action of male sex hormones, can suffer. Organs such as the clitoris, hair follicles located on the pubis, face, shins, abdomen, forearms, muscles, cartilage of the larynx are modified and affected. As a rule, the development of such symptoms occurs gradually, because the changes occurring with the woman’s body are poorly noticeable.
DIAGNOSIS OF VIRILE SYNDROME
The diagnosis of virile syndrome should be handled by specialists such as a gynecologist, an endocrinologist. If you suspect the development of androgen-stimulating tumors, you may need to consult an oncologist. If the tumor is detected, a set of measures for its diagnosis will be required, including a biopsy with further histological and cytological examination, MRI and CT, radiography and ultrasound of the adrenal glands.
In the complex of general diagnostic measures for suspected virile syndrome, in addition to general and biochemical blood tests, blood tests for hormones are prescribed.
TREATMENT OF VIRILE SYNDROME
The complex of therapeutic measures for the identified virile syndrome is predetermined by the cause that caused it. If such is a tumor, then treatment is usually surgical. In most cases, such tumors are benign and the prognosis is good. If the syndrome manifests itself as a consequence of any endocrine disorder, then it should be eliminated. For this, both drug therapy and surgical treatment can be used, for example, as in the case of polycystic ovary syndrome.
With virile syndrome, ovulation stimulation with special drugs is indicated. In most cases, with endocrine or tumor causes of the syndrome, the prognosis is satisfactory with the restoration of ovulation and the ability to give birth to a child.
PREVENTION OF VIRILE SYNDROME
To date, no specific prevention has been developed for this condition. Specialists in the field of gynecology and endocrine disorders recommend avoiding stress and periodically consult them about their condition. In cases where the symptoms of virile syndrome begin to manifest due to taking any medication, you should immediately consult a doctor. As a rule, after the drug is discontinued and replaced with an analog, the symptoms disappear.
