Health Library

Ovarian overproduction of androgens

Ovarian overproduction of androgens is a condition in which the ovaries make too much testosterone. This leads to the development of male characteristics in a woman. Androgens from other parts of the body can also cause male characteristics to develop in women.

Images

I Would Like to Learn About:

Causes

In healthy women, the ovaries and adrenal glands produce about 40% to 50% of the body's testosterone. Tumors of the ovaries and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) can both cause too much androgen production.

Cushing disease is a problem with the pituitary gland that leads to excess amounts of corticosteroids. Corticosteroids may cause masculine body changes in women. Tumors in the adrenal glands can also cause too much production of androgens and can lead to male body characteristics in women.

Symptoms

High levels of androgens in a female can cause:

• Acne
• Changes in female body shape
• Decrease in breast size
• Increase in body hair in a male pattern, such as on the face, chin, and abdomen (called hirsutism)
• Lack of menstrual periods (amenorrhea)
• Oily skin

These changes may also occur:

• Increase in the size of the clitoris
• Deepening of the voice
• Increase in muscle mass
• Thinning hair and hair loss at the front of the scalp on both sides of the head

Exams and Tests

Your health care provider will perform a physical exam. Any blood and imaging tests ordered will depend on your symptoms, but may include:

• 17-hydroxyprogesterone test
• ACTH stimulation test (unusual)
• Cholesterol blood tests
• CT scan
• DHEA blood test
• Glucose test
• Insulin test
• Pelvic ultrasound
• Prolactin test (if periods come less often or not at all)
• Testosterone test (both free and total testosterone)
• TSH test (if there is hair loss)

Treatment

Treatment depends on the problem that is causing the increased androgen production. Medicines can be given to decrease hair production in women with excess body hair, or to regulate menstrual cycles. In some cases, surgery may be needed to remove an ovarian or adrenal tumor.

Outlook (Prognosis)

Treatment success depends on the cause of excess androgen production. If the condition is caused by an ovarian tumor, surgery to remove the tumor may correct the problem. Most ovarian tumors are not cancerous (benign) and will not come back after they have been removed.

In polycystic ovary syndrome, the following measures can reduce symptoms caused by high androgen levels:

• Careful monitoring
• Weight loss
• Dietary changes
• Medicines
• Regular vigorous exercise

Possible Complications

Infertility and complications during pregnancy may occur.

Women with polycystic ovary syndrome may be at increased risk for:

• Diabetes
• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol
• Obesity
• Uterine cancer

Prevention

Women who have polycystic ovary syndrome can reduce their chances of long-term complications by maintaining a normal weight through healthy diet and regular exercise.

Related Information

References

Bulun SE. Physiology and pathology of the female reproductive axis. In: Melmed S, Auchus RJ, Goldfine AB, Koenig RJ, Rosen CJ, eds. Williams Textbook of Endocrinology. 14th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 17.

Chen ZJ, Legro RS, Ehrmann DA, Wei D. Androgen excess disorders in women. In: Robertson RP, ed. DeGroot's Endocrinology. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 124.

Huddleston HG, Quinn MM, Gibson M. Polycystic ovary syndrome and hirsutism. In: Kliegman RM, St. Geme JW, Blum NJ, et al, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics, 2-volume set. 22nd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2025:chap 589.

Lobo RA. Androgen excess in women. In: Gershenson DM, Lentz GM, Valea FA, Lobo RA, eds. Comprehensive Gynecology. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 38.

Review Date: 4/16/2024  

Reviewed By: John D. Jacobson, MD, Professor Emeritus, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Loma Linda University School of Medicine, Loma Linda, CA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, for Health Content Provider (www.urac.org). URAC's accreditation program is an independent audit to verify that A.D.A.M. follows rigorous standards of quality and accountability. A.D.A.M. is among the first to achieve this important distinction for online health information and services. Learn more about A.D.A.M.'s editorial policy, editorial process and privacy policy. A.D.A.M. is also a founding member of Hi-Ethics. This site complies with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information: verify here.

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. No warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied, is made as to the accuracy, reliability, timeliness, or correctness of any translations made by a third-party service of the information provided herein into any other language. © 1997- 2024 A.D.A.M., a business unit of Ebix, Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.