A fellow of the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Dr. Maureen Muoneke is a former attending physician at Seton Medical Group. Dr. Maureen Muoneke has provided gynecologic care to female patients of various age groups and is also experienced in treating reproductive endocrine disorders, including hyperandrogenism.
Hyperandrogenism is characterized by the excessive level of male sex hormones (also known as testosterone) in females. This can happen when there is a high level of circulating testosterone, low level of a testosterone binding protein called SHBG, and an increase in the conversion of weak androgens to stronger androgens.
Disorder of endocrine glands, such as pituitary gland and adrenal gland, obesity, and hormonal imbalance, which may be caused by some medications such as anabolic steroids, testosterone, and recombinant IGF-1 are some causes of hyperandrogenism. Hyperandrogenism can affect a person's appearance, such as when it results in female pattern baldness, hirsutism, acne, male pattern baldness, and masculine appearance, which is characterized by increased muscle mass and decreased breast size. Aside from appearance, it can also affect the reproductive system, causing irregular menstruation, and infertility.
Due to the fact that hyperandrogenism can result in a variety of endocrine disorders, blood tests for hormones such as testosterone, follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, and 17-hydroxyprogesterone are ideal for diagnosis and identification of the exact cause. A pelvic ultrasound scan can also be done. Hormone therapy can help reverse the effect of excess androgen.
Hyperandrogenism is characterized by the excessive level of male sex hormones (also known as testosterone) in females. This can happen when there is a high level of circulating testosterone, low level of a testosterone binding protein called SHBG, and an increase in the conversion of weak androgens to stronger androgens.
Disorder of endocrine glands, such as pituitary gland and adrenal gland, obesity, and hormonal imbalance, which may be caused by some medications such as anabolic steroids, testosterone, and recombinant IGF-1 are some causes of hyperandrogenism. Hyperandrogenism can affect a person's appearance, such as when it results in female pattern baldness, hirsutism, acne, male pattern baldness, and masculine appearance, which is characterized by increased muscle mass and decreased breast size. Aside from appearance, it can also affect the reproductive system, causing irregular menstruation, and infertility.
Due to the fact that hyperandrogenism can result in a variety of endocrine disorders, blood tests for hormones such as testosterone, follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, and 17-hydroxyprogesterone are ideal for diagnosis and identification of the exact cause. A pelvic ultrasound scan can also be done. Hormone therapy can help reverse the effect of excess androgen.
