The development of male characteristics in a woman, caused by a hormone imbalance or therapy.
The masculinization of women suffering from excessive production of the male hormone androgen. The person develops temporal balding, a male body shape, increased muscular bulk, deepening of the voice, an enlarged clitoris and hirsutism. Virilisation may also occur in women who take synthetic androgens, a practice sometimes used (illegally) to increase physical strength and endurance in sport.