Excess Androgen

An excess of androgen is one of the most common endocrine disorders in females who are of reproductive age. It is characterised by the excessive production of androgen by either the adrenal glands or the ovary. The condition can result from the increased sensitivity of local tissues to the androgens circulating in the body.

Excess Androgen

The causes of excess androgen production include an abnormality in steroid metabolism, a dysfunction of the androgen receptor, and the use of androgen-like drugs. Androgen excess can affect various tissues and organ systems which can cause different clinical conditions that can range from acne to hirsutism. Treatments using pharmacologic measures seek to correct the symptoms by lowering androgen levels and blocking any peripheral androgen action.