E25: Adrenogenital disorders

E25.9: Adrenogenital disorder, unspecified

The adrenal glands are at the top of the kidneys. The adrenal glands form the stress hormone cortisol. Cortisol has many effects in the body. For example, cortisol is important for the sugar level in the blood and for blood pressure. The adrenal glands also form a hormone that controls the amount of blood salts. Blood salts help regulate the moisture content in the body. The adrenal glands also form sex hormones. Every person has female and male sex hormones in their body.

Your adrenal glands are producing too many male sex hormones. As a result, the sexual characteristics may develop differently than expected. You may have a deeper voice or be very hairy.

The male sex hormones are also important for growth. You may be very tall as a child. However, as an adult, you may be short, because you stop growing earlier as a result of the sex hormones.