The role of steroidogenesis disorders in developing congenital clitoromegaly

Clitoromegaly is characterized by enlarged clitoris exceeding normal size typical to healthy women that represents a pressing issue in gynecological endocrinology. It emerges as an idiopathic condition or is formed along with impaired synthesis of sex steroids, accompanied by androgen excess. However, idiopathic clitoromegaly is a rather common diagnosis, since the objective cause of this symptom often remains unidentified. Investigating an alternative pathway for the synthesis of androgens and 11-oxysetroids in women with clitoromegaly is of great interest to practicing endocrinologists and gynecologists due to new opportunities for diagnosing and preventing this condition. This literature review is aimed at assessing current insights into disorders of female androgen steroidogenesis and its role in clitoromegaly pathogenesis.