Virilize:This term refers to inducing male traits in a female, such as a deeper voice, increased body and facial hair, reduced breast size, and enlargement of certain features, along with the development of "male-pattern" characteristics.Background:Men secrete hormones known as androgens, which lead to typically male traits like facial and chest hair, hair on the arms and legs, and a lower-pitched voice. Women, on the other hand, produce hormones that lead to typically female traits, such as a smoother face and chest, less muscular limbs, and a higher-pitched voice. Both sexes also produce small amounts of the opposite sex's hormones—men produce some estrogens, while women produce some androgens.Cause:Virilization is primarily caused by an excess of male hormones in females. This hormone imbalance can be linked to several factors: (1) the use of anabolic steroids, which contain androgens, to enhance strength and muscle mass; (2) adrenal hyperplasia, a group of genetic disorders that result in enlarged adrenal glands and increased androgen production; and (3) ovarian, adrenal, or testicular tumors that secrete androgens. Nevertheless, certain virilization symptoms can appear even without increased hormone levels. For instance, in idiopathic hirsutism, women experience abnormal hair growth without elevated hormone levels. "Idiopathic" means "of unknown origin," and "hirsutism" means "excessive hairiness," hence, idiopathic hirsutism results from an unidentified cause.Conversely, in a condition known as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), also called Stein-Leventhal syndrome, androgen levels rise, leading to excessive hair growth and possibly other virilization signs. Additionally, cysts and tumors may form in the ovaries. This condition can present several other symptoms, including (1) ovaries not producing, developing, or releasing eggs (anovulation); (2) enlarged ovaries; (3) amenorrhea (absence of menstruation); (4) irregular menstrual cycles; (5) obesity; and (6) infertility. It is important to note that absence of menstruation is normal before puberty, during pregnancy, early lactation, and after menopause, but it is unusual at other times and should be evaluated by a doctor.Derivation:The noun "virilization" and the verb "virilize" should not be confused with "masculinize" and "masculinization," which pertain to the normal or early development of male traits in males. Both "virilize" and "virilization" originate from the Latin word "virilis," meaning masculine. Words like "virile" (manly) and "virility" (manliness) also derive from "virilis."
