Virilization from Partner's Use of Topical Androgen in a Reproductive-Aged Woman
September 2011
in “
American journal of obstetrics and gynecology
”
TLDR A woman's virilization symptoms were caused by her partner's use of testosterone cream, which resolved after they separated.
A 22-year-old woman exhibited virilization symptoms, including acne, hirsutism, clitoral enlargement, and scalp alopecia, with elevated testosterone levels but no neoplastic source found on imaging. The cause was later identified as unintentional exposure to her partner's topical testosterone cream. After separating from her partner, her symptoms and testosterone levels normalized. This case underscored the importance of considering exogenous androgen sources in the differential diagnosis of virilization to avoid unnecessary invasive procedures. It also highlighted the need for counseling patients using androgen creams about the risk of transdermal transmission and potential virilization in close contacts.
