Hypogonadism - Vibrant Life Center

Hypogonadism

Hypogonadism is a condition in which the body doesn't produce enough sex hormones. There are two main types:

• Primary hypogonadism occurs when there is a problem in the testicles or ovaries that prevents them from producing enough testosterone or estrogen. Some causes include genetic disorders, undescended testicles, injury or infection of the testicles, and cancer treatment like radiation or chemotherapy.
• Secondary hypogonadism happens when the pituitary gland or hypothalamus don't signal the gonads properly. Causes can include tumors in the brain, inflammation, and iron overload.

Symptoms really depend on when hypogonadism develops and can include things like low sex drive, erectile dysfunction, reduced facial/body hair, depression or irritability, hot flashes, and breast growth.

To diagnose hypogonadism, doctors check hormone levels with a blood test. They may also examine the testicles or ovaries using ultrasound.

Treatment involves testosterone or estrogen replacement, usually with gels, patches, injections, or pellets placed under the skin. This helps restore normal hormone levels and relieve symptoms. Treating any underlying cause can also help in certain cases.

I tried to provide the key information about hypogonadism in an easy to understand way.