Acquired clitoral enlargement. Diagnosis and treatment

Abstract

Clitoral hypertrophy is usually seen in congenital malformations, specifically in intersexual stages of hormonal expression. Acquired clitoral hypertrophy is a relatively rare condition, and data in the literature concerning this problem are sparse. Articles usually consist only of case reports. Among the contributing factors in the etiology of acquired clitoral hypertrophy, the following three are the most frequent: (1) endocrinopathies including virilizing tumors of the ovaries or adrenals, (2) neurofibromatosis (of both clitoral subcutis and corpora cavernosa), and (3) pseudohypertrophy of the clitoris. The first step in correcting acquired clitoral enlargement must be to determine and stop the cause of the hypertrophy, followed by a period of simple observation. If clitoral enlargement does not disappear over time, surgical correction is necessary.