Benign symptomatic hyperandrogenism in a postmenopausal woman.
Hyperandrogenemia in postmenopausal women requires an evaluation to exclude pathologic ovarian or adrenal causes. Our patient exhibited no signs of hypercortisolism, congenital adrenal hyperplasia, or adrenal or ovarian neoplasia based on biochemical testing and pelvic sonography. We hypothesized that unexplained androgen excess in our patient was due to the development of gonadotropin-dependent excess ovarian stromal androgen production. This syndrome may be comparable to gestational hyperreactio luteinalis where elevated gonadotropins stimulate ovarian stromal androgen production. If tumor can confidently be excluded, such women may benefit from gonadotropin suppression with long-acting GnRH-a.
Cowan
B D
BD
Division of Reproductive Endocrinology, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson.
Moore
J L
JL
Whitworth
N S
NS
Wiser
W L
WL
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000097:blood; D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood; D016729:Leuprolide / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood / Q000187:drug effects; D008593:Menopause / Q000097:blood / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D014770:Virilism / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology*
D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone; D016729:Leuprolide; D006854:Hydrocortisone