What is adrenal virilism caused by?

Adrenal virilism is a condition characterized by the development of male secondary sexual characteristics in females, which is usually caused by an increase in the production of androgens (male hormones). This hypersecretion of sex corticoids, such as testosterone, from the adrenal glands leads to symptoms like hirsutism (excessive hair growth), voice deepening, and other masculine features.

In the context of adrenal function, the adrenal glands produce various hormones, including glucocorticoids, mineralocorticoids, and androgens. When there is an overproduction of sex corticoids, particularly androgens, it results in the manifestation of virilization symptoms.

In contrast, conditions related to hyposecretion of sex corticoids or deficiency of adrenal hormones would typically lead to opposite effects, such as feminization or a lack of secondary sexual characteristics. Increased insulin production is unrelated to the production of adrenal hormones and would not cause virilization. Therefore, the correct identification of adrenal virilism being caused by hypersecretion of sex corticoids is essential to understand the underlying hormonal dysregulation involved in the condition.