It is known as
Pseudohermaphroditism or intersexual state, those entities in which external genitalia are ambiguous or are not according with gonadal o genetic chromosomic sex. They can have diverse etiology. Continual exposition to
estrogens or
androgens may induce female or male dysmorphism, and also development of benign or malignant
tumors at target organs. We present a case of a young woman, 15 years old, with
virilization, who attend medical consultation for progressive abdominal growing. The presence of
ambiguous, genitalia since birth, was not a previous reason of concern. Diagnostic, findings, management and follow up for about 4 months are described and also a topic review. Genitalia develop during first trimester of intrauterine life, under influence of sexual
steroids, and changes of sexual development can emerge as consequence of endocrine or morphologic disorders and the later ones, related to karyotypic abnormalities. Sexual
steroid and their metabolites can demonstrate individually, different
biological effects, suggesting the presence of individual receptors. The presence of cooperative effects between each
steroid produce even more complexity to the evaluation of each
steroid. Various mutations principally at gene receptors of sexual
steroids, cause resistance to them. At
female pseudohermaphroditism in difference from male P. there is no errancy at genetic gonadal transmission. These women are intrauterine exposed to excessive quantities of
androgens, and they have normal internal genitalia but external
ambiguous genitalia. The involved
androgen comes from external factors, a it occurs at mother who receives
progesterone to avoid abortion, but it is due frequently to
androgen storage, caused by enzymatic blockade at steroidogenesis (
adrenogenital syndrome).