HealthAugust 17, 2026
virilisation
vir-ih-li-ZAY-shun
Definition
The development or appearance of masculine physical traits in a female, typically resulting from increased androgen levels.
Etymology
Derived from the Latin word 'vir' meaning 'man' or 'male', combined with the suffix '-ization', which denotes the process of becoming or taking on the characteristics of the root noun.
In the news
In this article, virilisation is identified as a specific, significant health risk that women using performance-enhancing drugs must monitor and manage due to hormonal disruption.
Gender gap in healthcare for female users of performance and image-enhancing drugs
Read the full article ↗UQ News