What is Hypogonadism?
Hypogonadism is a condition in which the body doesn't produce enough of the sex hormone testosterone. This can occur in both males and females, but is more common in males.
There are two main types of hypogonadism:
- Primary hypogonadism occurs when there is a problem with the gonads - the testes in males and ovaries in females. The gonads don't produce enough sex hormones.
- Secondary hypogonadism indicates a problem with the hypothalamus or pituitary gland in the brain. These glands help signal the gonads to produce sex hormones. If they are damaged or defective, it can affect hormone levels.
Common Causes
Hypogonadism has quite a wide range of potential underlying causes. Here are some examples:
- Genetic diseases such as Klinefelter syndrome in males
- Liver or kidney disease
- Infection
- Radiation treatment or chemotherapy
- Inflammatory disease
- Nutrient deficiencies
- Obesity
- Medications
- Normal aging
- Head trauma or pituitary tumors
Symptoms
The symptoms of hypogonadism depend somewhat on the age when hormone deficiency begins. While symptoms can develop at any age, they frequently present in either early childhood/adolescence or older adulthood. Some examples include:
- Infants/children: ambiguous or absent genital development, lack of puberty changes
- Adolescents: Lack of development of secondary sexual characteristics such as menstruation, muscular development, deepening voice
- Adults: Low libido, erectile dysfunction, depression, fatigue, infertility, loss of muscle mass, increased body fat, reduced body hair
Diagnosis and Treatment
If hypogonadism is suspected, blood tests can measure current hormone levels. Treatment depends on the underlying cause, but may include:
- Testosterone replacement therapy for those with abnormally low levels
- Lifestyle changes to manage certain conditions contributing to hypogonadism (e.g., weight loss for obesity, controlling chronic disease)
- Hormone replacement therapy
- Addressing nutritional deficiencies
The early diagnosis and effective management of hypogonadism is key to reducing potential long-term impacts on health and quality of life. Working closely with knowledgeable healthcare professionals at Rejuvenate Hormone Therapy can assure the optimal treatment is provided for each unique situation.