Baby Girl Develops Male-Like Genitalia After Contact With Dad’s Testosterone Gel – Doctors Sound the Alarm
In an unusual yet eye-opening case from Sweden, a baby girl developed male-like genitalia after prolonged skin-to-skin contact with her father—who had been using testosterone gel. Medical experts are now urging parents to be cautious when using hormone-based treatments, especially around infants.
The story begins with what seemed like an innocent bonding ritual. The baby girl regularly laid on her father’s bare chest for skin-to-skin contact, a practice encouraged by many pediatricians for emotional and physical development. However, the dad had been applying a prescribed testosterone gel on his body, commonly used by men experiencing low testosterone levels.
Unfortunately, what he didn’t realize was that even small traces of the gel on his skin could transfer to his daughter during these cuddles.
The tot ‘grew a micropenis’ (Getty Stock Image)
⚠️ Unintended Consequences
By the time the baby was 10 months old, her parents noticed concerning changes. Her clitoris had enlarged, resembling a micropenis, and her labia began to fuse, appearing more like a scrotum. A visit to the doctor revealed extremely high levels of testosterone in the baby’s bloodstream.
Paediatric endocrinologist Professor Jovanna Dahlgren from Sahlgrenska University Hospital in Gothenburg explained that although the condition looked like the baby had developed a micropenis, the term is not medically correct for females. Rather, it was a case of virilization, where female genitalia begin developing male characteristics due to excess testosterone exposure.
It was because she was exposed to testosterone (Getty Stock Image)
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“Parents become completely desperate when they understand what has happened,” said Professor Dahlgren, as quoted in Göteborgs-Posten.
✅ What Happened Next?
Once the cause was identified, the father immediately stopped skin-to-skin contact while using the hormone gel. Doctors monitored the baby’s hormone levels and genital development over time. Thankfully, after being removed from further exposure, her hormone levels normalized, and her genitalia gradually returned to typical female appearance.
📢 Important Takeaways for Parents
This isn’t an isolated incident. Professor Dahlgren has seen multiple similar cases over the years, all involving children exposed to hormonal creams or gels inadvertently.
According to the Mayo Clinic, testosterone gel should only be applied to covered areas and should not come into contact with others, especially children or women, due to its potency.
🛡️ How to Safely Use Hormone Treatments at Home
- Always apply testosterone gel to areas covered by clothing.
- Wash your hands thoroughly after applying any hormone-based medication.
- Avoid close skin-to-skin contact with children shortly after applying the gel.
- Inform family members and caregivers about the treatment and its risks.
✅ Final Thoughts
Hormone replacement therapy can be life-changing for those who need it—but as this case shows, it comes with serious responsibilities. Parents using any potent medical treatments should always be aware of potential transfer risks to their children.
📚 Further Reading
Let this be a gentle reminder: Even cuddles come with precautions when hormones are involved.
