Hypogonadism (patient information)

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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 brain, and liver and kidney disease. The main signs and symptons include lack of secondary sex characteristis 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.
 * Headaches
 * Visual loss
 * Galactorrhea
 * Anorexia nervosa
 * Fatigue and weakness

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.

Treatment options
Treatments of hypogonadism depend on the cause.


 * For hypogonadism resulted from certain autoimmune disorders or infection in sex glands, treatment protocol may focus on these causes and corticosteroids or antibiotics may be helpful. When tumors in central nervous system are the main causes of hypogonadism, treatment opinion may be surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy. If liver and kidney diseases result in hypogonadism, recovery of liver and renal function may be the first.
 * Hormone replacement: Hormone replacement for patients with hypogonadism during childhood can stimulate puberty and the development of secondary sex characteristics. Hormones often used include estrogen or testosterone, and pituitary hormones. Doctors will begin with an initial low dose of such hormones and gradual increases to avoid side effects.

Diseases with similar symptoms

 * Hypopituitarism
 * Multiple endocrine neoplasia
 * Obesity
 * Brain tumor

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.