A Case of Ovarian Hyperthecosis in a Postmenopausal Woman
November 2023
in “
JCEM Case Reports
”
TLDR A postmenopausal woman's excess male hormone symptoms improved after her ovaries were removed.
A 55-year-old postmenopausal woman with symptoms of fatigue, male pattern hair loss, and hirsutism was diagnosed with ovarian hyperthecosis, a rare condition causing excess androgen production. Elevated testosterone levels and a GnRH analog stimulation test confirmed the ovaries as the source of excess androgens. After undergoing a bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, a procedure to remove both ovaries and fallopian tubes, her testosterone levels normalized and symptoms improved. This case highlights the importance of considering ovarian hyperthecosis as a potential diagnosis in postmenopausal women with signs of hyperandrogenism.
