[Androgenetic amenorrhea].

Virilism in females is often associated with menstrual disorders. There is an evident correlation between the severity of virilism, the level of androgens and the degree of menstrual disorder. A study was carried out between January 1978 and December 1980 on 75 women with various degrees of virilism. The majority of women with severe hirsutism and male-type alopecia were found in the group with amenorrhoea. Furthermore, the four cases with the full-blown picture of severe virilism were found exclusively in this group. Clarification of the virilizing manifestations on the basis of a determination of the basic hormonal status (including the steroid fractions), the dexamethasone suppression test (including the HCG stimulation test) and the oestrogen-gestagen suppression test, diagnostic laparoscopy and phlebography of the adrenal gland is discussed and the methods evaluated.