virilization

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virilization

A doctor explains the concept of virilization to a patient using a medical chart.

Definition

Noun: 1. The development of male secondary sexual characteristics in a female or prepubescent male: This refers to the process or condition where typically female individuals, or males before puberty, acquire physical traits that are usually associated with adult males. This is often due to an excess of androgens (male hormones).

Examples of Usage
  • Noun:
    • The athlete's virilization, including a deepened voice and facial hair, was a side effect of the banned substance.
    • Some forms of congenital adrenal hyperplasia can cause virilization in female infants.
    • The doctor explained that the symptoms of virilization were reversible once the hormonal imbalance was corrected.
Advanced Usage
  • Medical Context: The term is primarily used in medical and endocrinology contexts to describe a specific clinical syndrome resulting from hyperandrogenism (excess male hormones).
    • The primary concern was the virilization of the patient, prompting an investigation into her adrenal glands.
Variants and Related Words
  • Virilize (verb): To cause virilization; to make masculine.
    • Prolonged use of the medication may virilize female patients.
  • Virilizing (adjective): Causing virilization.
    • She was diagnosed with a virilizing tumor.
  • Masculinization: A near-synonym often used interchangeably in medical contexts, though sometimes distinguished by focusing on the development of male-typical body structure rather than secondary sexual characteristics specifically.
Synonyms
  • Masculinization
  • Androgenization
Notes on Meaning
  • Abnormal vs. Therapeutic Context: While the core definition centers on development, the process can also be an intended outcome of hormone therapy for some transgender men (female-to-male), where the term "masculinization" is often preferred.
  • Distinction from Puberty: In males, normal puberty involves the development of these characteristics. Virilization specifically implies an abnormal timing (e.g., in a young boy) or occurrence (in a female).
virilization

A doctor explains the concept of virilization to a patient using a medical chart.

Noun
  1. the abnormal development of male sexual characteristics in a female (usually as the result of hormone therapies or adrenal malfunction)

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