What is hypogonadism?
When the body’s sex glands—the ovaries in women and the testicles in men—produce little to no sex hormones (oestrogen and testosterone), it is called hypogonadism, also referred to as gonadal deficiency or testosterone deficiency. Secondary sexual traits like the development of breasts in women and the growth of facial and pubic hair in men are regulated by the sex glands. They are also important for the menstrual cycle and sperm production.
How serious is hypogonadism?
Hypogonadism typically has a good prognosis because its symptoms can be treated in a variety of ways.
What are the symptoms of hypogonadism?
Depending on when the condition manifests, hypogonadism symptoms can vary:
- A male may have female genitalia, unclear genitalia, or underdeveloped male genitalia as a result of a delay in the development of external sexual organs during fetal development.
- In males, delayed or incomplete puberty can lead to changes in body hair growth, delayed voice changes, stunted sex gland growth, gynecomastia (male breast tissue enlargement), or excessive growth of the arms and legs relative to the rest of the body. Slow breast growth or the absence of menarche (the start of menstruation) are possible symptoms for females.
- Stage of adulthood: these symptoms will include alterations in typical physical traits or reproductive functioning: For men, this includes erectile dysfunction, osteoporosis, gynecomastia, decreased muscle mass, sterility, and loss of body hair and beard. This can include hot flashes, hair loss, lack of menstruation, and low or nonexistent sex drive in women.
How do you diagnosis hypogonadism?
To diagnose hypogonadism, a series of tests can be performed, including:
- checking the oestrogen levels in women and testosterone in men
- measuring the follicle-stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone
- blood tests
- genetic tests
What are the causes?
The origins of this disorder can vary and may include hereditary factors, some types of surgery, autoimmune diseases, kidney or liver problems and infections.
We generally differentiate between two types:
- Primary hypogonadism: this means you don’t have enough sex hormones in your body because of a problem with your genitalia’s ability to produce such hormones.
- Central hypogonadism: this is caused by a problem in certain parts of the brain. The hypothalamus and pituitary gland, which communicate with the testes or ovaries, aren’t working properly.
It is possible to suffer primary and secondary hypogonadism at the same time.
How can hypogonadism be prevented?
In order to prevent hypogonadism, we usually try to address some of its risk factors while maintaining healthy eating and exercise habits.
Treatment for hypogonadism
Hormone-based drugs can be used to treat hypogonadism in females. Additionally, some women may receive oestrogen therapy, which involves using pills or injections to induce ovulation. Radiation therapy or surgery might be required in specific circumstances.
Testosterone replacement therapy is a common treatment for men. This kind of treatment is available as an injection, patch, gel, or lozenge. Gonadotropin-releasing hormone injections may accelerate sperm production and/or encourage puberty.
Which type of specialist treats hypogonadism?
Specialist urologists and endocrinologists treat hypogonadism.