What is hypogonadism?
Hypogonadism occurs when the body’s sex glands (the testes in males and the ovaries in females) produce little or no hormones. These are responsible for controlling secondary sexual characteristics, such as breast development, testicular development and pubic hair.
Prognosis of the disease
The symptoms of hypogonadism can be treated in a variety of ways, so the prognosis is usually good.
Symptoms of hypogonadism
The symptoms of hypogonadism will depend on when it occurs:
- During fetal development: it can present itself by a delay in the growth of the external sex organs. Thus, for example, a male may present with female genitalia, ambiguous genitalia or underdeveloped male genitalia.
- At puberty: when there is delayed or incomplete development. For example: lack of voice deepening, alterations in body hair growth, delayed growth of sexual glands, gynecomastia or excessive growth of the arms and legs in relation to the trunk of the body.
- Adult stage: there are alterations in normal reproductive functioning or physical characteristics: erectile dysfunction, osteoporosis, gynecomastia, decreased muscle mass, sterility, decreased growth of beard and body hair.
Medical tests for hypogonadism
To diagnose hypogonadism, a number of tests can be performed, including:
- Checking estrogen levels in women and testosterone levels in men.
- Measuring follicle-stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone
- Blood tests
- Genetic testing
Hypogonadism occurs when the body’s sex glands produce little or no hormones.
What are the causes of hypogonadism?
There are different factors that can cause hypogonadism, and we differentiate mainly two types:
- Primary (congenital) hypogonadism, involving genetic (such as Klinefelter’s syndrome in males and Turner’s syndrome in females) and developmental autoimmune disorders; infections, surgery, some type of trauma, radiation, or liver and kidney disease.
- Secondary (acquired) hypogonadism — caused by a problem in the parts of the brain that tell the testes to produce testosterone (hypothalamus and pituitary), such as Kallmann syndrome.
It is possible to have both primary and secondary hypogonadism at the same time.
Can it be prevented?
As for the prevention of hypogonadism, what can be done is to act on some of its risk factors by maintaining a good physical condition and having healthy eating habits.
Treatment for hypogonadism
Hypogonadism can be treated with hormone-based medications. In addition, some women may be treated with injections or pills to stimulate ovulation. In case of a pituitary or hypothalamic cause, surgery and radiotherapy may be necessary.
What specialist treats it?
The specialist who treats hypogonadism is the endocrinologist.