PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Parker, Lydia U.
AU  - Bergfeld, Wilma F.
TI  - Virilization secondary to topical testosterone
DP  - 1991 Jan 01
TA  - Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine
PG  - 43--46
VI  - 58
IP  - 1
4099  - http://www.ccjm.org/content/58/1/43.short
4100  - http://www.ccjm.org/content/58/1/43.full
SO  - Cleve Clin J Med1991 Jan 01; 58
AB  - Topical testosterone is recognized as a standard treatment for vulvar lichen sclerosus et atrophicus. Systemic androgenic side effects of this medication are widely believed to be uncommon and mild. A case is reported of severe hirsutism with other signs of virilization and markedly elevated serum testosterone levels secondary to use of topical testosterone propionate for vulvar lichen sclerosus et atrophicus. Caution is necessary in the use of topical testosterone, with close monitoring for signs of virilization. Alternative treatments for this condition, such as intralesional corticosteroids or topical progesterone, are recommended to avoid the risk of androgenic side effects.