Hyperandrogenism (aka androgen excess) is excesive levels of androgens in the body, and the associated effects of these androgens.

• PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome), found in 75% of Pt's w/ PCOS
• Excessive production of adrenal or gonadal androgens by adrenal adenomas, carcinomas, or hyperplasia, Leydig cell tumors in men, and arrhenoblastomas in women
• Androgen-producing tumors of the gonadds (ovaries), adrenal glands (adrenal tumor), and pitutiary gland (pituitary adenoma)
• Precocious puberty, in children
• Hyperthecosis
• Hypothyrodism
• Anabolic steroid exposure
• Congenital adrenal hyperplasia, due to 21-hydroxylase deficiency (late onset)
• HRT (female-to-male)
• Conn's syndrome
• Frequent in adolescent girls, associated with irregular menstrual cycles

• In most cases, these Sx are transient and reflect only the imaturity of the HPO axis (hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian) during the 1st years following menarche

Virilization (aka masculinization), which is the biological development of sex differences, including:

• Acne
• Seborrhea
• Androgenic alopecia (scalp hair loss)
• Hirsutism (excessive facial and body hair)
• Atyicaly high libido
• Breast atrophy
• Clitoral enlargement
• Increased muscle strength
• Frontal hair thinning
• Deepening of the voice
• Menstrual disruption due to anovulation
• Accelerated growth
• Pubic hair
• Bone maturation
• Adult body odor

This is in addition to menstrual disruption, due to anovulation

• Mx of hyperandrogenism Sx like androgenic alopecia, include the use of antiandrogens, e.g. cyproterone acetate, spironolactone, and flutamide