Hypogonadism (patient information)
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Hypogonadism |
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-In-Chief: Jinhui Wu, M.D.
Overview
Hypogonadism is the condition when the sex glands (testes in men and ovaries in women) produce little or no hormones. Many disorders are involved in the cause of hypogonadism, such as certain autoimmune disorders, genetic disorders and infection in sex glands, bleeding, trauma, tumors, surgery and radiation therapy in the brain, and liver and kidney disease. The main signs and symptoms include lack of secondary sex characteristics during childhood and sexual dysfunction in both male and female. Hormone tests and cranial MRI may be needed to identify the diagnosis. Treatments and prognosis of hypogonadism depend on the cause of the disorder.
What are the symptoms of Hypogonadism?
Signs and symptoms depend on the cause.
- In female:
- Loss of menstruation and breast development during childhood
- Short height
- Loss of menstruation, decreased libido, hot flashes, loss of body hair and infertility in adults.
- In male:
- Lack of muscle and beard development during childhood
- Growth problems
- In adults: Sexual dysfunction, decreased beard and body hair, breast enlargement, muscle loss and infertility.
- For hypogonadism caused by diseases from central nervous system, patients may show symptoms of other hormonal deficiencies.
Who is at highest risk?
- Certain autoimmune disorders in sex glands
- Genetic disorders, such as Turner syndrome, Klinefelter syndrome.
- Infectionin sex glands
- Surgery or radiation therapy in sex glands
- Brain diseases, especially in hypothalamus and pituitary gland, including bleeding, trauma, tumors, surgery, radiation therapy, genetic problems, infections, nutritional deficiencies, and hemochromatosis.
- Liver and kidney disease
When to seek urgent medical care?
If you have any signs and symptoms of hypogonadism, call your health care provider to identify the cause.
Diagnosis
- Hormone tests, including checks of blood levels of estrogen, FSH, LH, testosterone, and thyroid, prolactin. These tests can help doctors identify the cause of hypogonadism.
- Cranial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan: This procedure may be used to identify whether abnormalities of the pituitary gland or hypothalamus exist.
Diseases with similar symptoms
Where to find medical care for Hypogonadism?
Directions to Hospitals Treating Hypogonadism
What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?
Prognosis of hypogonadism depends on the cause. Many patients have a good prognosis after treatments.
Prevention
There is no effective prevention for hypogonadism.
Sources
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001195.htm
http://www.mayoclinic.com/print/male-hypogonadism/DS00300/DSECTION=all&METHOD=print Template:WH Template:WS