What are the sources of excess androgens?

The increased androgen can originate from the ovaries, or the adrenal glands, or from medication. The commonest cause of hirsutism is polycystic ovary syndrome (Q7.2).

Hormone secreting tumours of an ovary or an adrenal gland causing hirsutism are extremely uncommon.^2006-01

The adrenogenital syndrome (congenital adrenal hyperplasia) usually presents in early life. The adrenal glands produce a variety of hormones. When they are unable to produce cortisol, the pituitary gland produces increased amounts of the hormone ACTH and this results in an increased production of androgens. If the cortisol synthesis is only partly deficient the adrenogenital syndrome may not be apparent during childhood but presents later in life with hirsutism or virilism. Some medicines can cause hirsutism and virilism and there are some rare diseases, such as porphyria, which are associated with hirsutism.

Related Medical Abstracts - Click on the paper title:-

• A Prospective Study of the Prevalence of Nonclassical Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia among Women Presenting with Hyperandrogenic Symptoms and Signs.(2008-01)
• Extensive clinical experience: relative prevalence of different androgen excess disorders in 950 women referred because of clinical hyperandrogenism (2006-01). 
• Androgen excess in women: experience with over 1000 consecutive patients. (2004-01)
• The etiology of hyperandrogenism in women (1995)

See Also:

Hirsutism

Alopecia

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This is the personal website of David A Viniker MD FRCOG, Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist at Whipps Cross University Hospital, London - Specialist Interests - Reproductive Medicine including Infertility, PCOS, PMS, Menopause and HRT.

I do hope that you find the answers to your women's health questions in the patient information and medical advice provided.

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