Hyperandrogenism

Hyperandrogenism, or androgen excess, is a medical condition characterized by excessive production and/or secretion of androgens.

It is one of the primary symptoms of polycystic ovary syndrome. In such cases, it presents with symptoms such as acne or hyperseborrhea, is frequent in adolescent girls and is often associated with irregular menstrual cycles. In most instances, these symptoms are transient and reflect only the immaturity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis during the first years following menarche. Approximately three-quarters of patients with PCOS (by the diagnostic criteria of NIH/NICHD 1990) have evidence of hyperandrogenemia, with free testosterone being the single most predictive marker with ~60% of patients demonstrating supranormal levels.

In women, symptoms of hyperandrogenism frequently include acne, scalp hair loss (androgenic alopecia), excessive facial and body hair (hirsutism), high libido, and others. Collectively, these symptoms are known as virilization.