Causes of acquired secondary hypogonadism can include:
- Intracranial space-occupying lesions (eg, tumours and cysts)
- Infiltrative disease (eg, sarcoidosis and haemochromatosis)
- Infection (eg, meningitis and TB)
- Pituitary apoplexy (bleeding into pituitary gland)
- Trauma.
Is there a cure for secondary hypogonadism?
With the right treatment, secondary hypogonadism can be effectively cured. The precise form of treatment depends on the age when secondary hypogonadism is diagnosed. For children and adolescents, hormone replacement therapy can help stimulate puberty, leading to normal development of secondary sex characteristics.
What problems are associated with hypogonadism?
- Worsening of the prostatic hypertrophy
- Increased risk of prostate cancer
- Lower sperm count with large doses
- Swelling of ankles, feet, or body, with or without heart failure
- Gynecomastia
- Sleep apnea
- Blood clots
What is the primary treatment for hypogonadism?
Treatment of Hypogonadism: Current and Future Therapies
- Risks and benefits of testosterone therapy. For men with symptomatic hypogonadism, there are a number of potential clinical benefits with testosterone replacement therapy, including improvements in libido, erectile function, muscle ...
- Testosterone replacement therapy. ...
- Injectable formulations. ...
- Transdermal formulations. ...
- Other testosterone formulations. ...
What causes acquired hypogonadism?
Causes of the acquired primary hypogonadism The cause of hypogonadism may be dropsy, which in children is almost always congenital, and in adults it occurs as a result of acute epididymitis . Partial atrophy of the testis is possible due to surgery for inguinal hernia, circulatory disorders in it, twisting of the spermatic cord.
Can secondary hypogonadism be cured?
In most cases, hypogonadism can be treated effectively with HRT. This treatment consists of taking medications containing the hormone that your body is lacking, such as testosterone, estrogen and progesterone, or pituitary hormones to replace the ones that the body no longer produces.
Can stress cause secondary hypogonadism?
In humans, the stress of acute head trauma caused secondary hypogonadism, and the higher levels of epinephrine and norepinephrine were significantly inversely proportional to the levels of testosterone.
How do you know if hypogonadism is primary or secondary?
The final step in determining whether a patient has primary or secondary hypogonadism is measuring the serum LH and FSH. Elevated LH and FSH levels suggest primary hypogonadism, whereas low or low-normal LH and FSH levels suggest secondary hypogonadism.
How common is secondary hypogonadism?
Late-onset secondary hypogonadism affects up to 4 million men in the United States. Chronic illness and obesity are correctable causes of secondary hypogonadism. Diagnosis includes at least 2 measurements of total testosterone.
What deficiency causes hypogonadism?
The gonads (ovaries or testes) produce hormones (testosterone, estradiol, antimullerian hormone, progesterone, inhibin B, activin) and gametes (eggs or sperm). [1] Male hypogonadism is characterized by a deficiency in testosterone – a critical hormone for sexual, cognitive, and body function and development.
Can anxiety cause hypogonadism?
Hypogonadotropic hypogonadism is defined as the failure in production of gonadal hormones, thus resulting in lower amounts of testosterone. Depression, anxiety and decreased quality of life are the most common psychopathological conditions in young hypogonadal men.
How is secondary hypogonadism treated in men?
Male hypogonadism usually is treated with testosterone replacement to return testosterone levels to normal. Testosterone can help counter the signs and symptoms of male hypogonadism, such as decreased sexual desire, decreased energy, decreased facial and body hair, and loss of muscle mass and bone density.
What medications can cause hypogonadism?
Acquired secondary hypogonadism is caused by any disease or substance that can alter the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. Medications that can increase the risk of developing this disorder include gonadal steroids, GnRH analogues, glucocorticoids, and chronic opiates.
What level of testosterone is considered hypogonadism?
An early morning total serum testosterone level of less than 300 ng/dL clearly indicates hypogonadism, and under most circumstances benefit will be derived from testosterone replacement therapy.
How serious is hypogonadism?
Hypogonadism may increase the risk for cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, premature death in older men, and Alzheimer's disease.
What happens if hypogonadism is left untreated?
In men, complications of untreated hypogonadism include loss of libido, failure to achieve physical strength, the social implications of failing to go through puberty with peers (if hypogonadism occurs before puberty), and osteoporosis.
Does hypogonadism go away?
Unless it's caused by a treatable condition, hypogonadism is a chronic condition that may require lifelong treatment. Your sex hormone level may decrease if you stop treatment. Seeking support through therapy or support groups can help you before, during, and after treatment.
Can stress and anxiety cause low testosterone?
Recently, research evidence suggests that testosterone levels are reduced in response to stress. For example, low levels of serum testosterone have been reported during psychological stress, physical stress and actual stress (such as surgery).
How much can stress affect testosterone?
According to studies, stress can cause men to produce lower testosterone levels when stress is potent and unresolved. Testosterone is an important hormone. Many men know of testosterone as being the “sex hormone,” but it is about more than just sex drive and sperm production.
How does stress affect the male reproductive system?
Excess amounts of cortisol can affect the normal biochemical functioning of the male reproductive system. Chronic stress, ongoing stress over an extended period of time, can affect testosterone production resulting in a decline in sex drive or libido, and can even cause erectile dysfunction or impotence.
Does anxiety decrease testosterone?
Stress and sex hormones can also have a combined effect on anxiety. For example, when you experience stress, cortisol increases, which slows your body's ability to make testosterone.
How to help men with low libido?
He recommended that when treating low libido, clinicians should consider individualized therapies, such as regular exercise, massage, acupuncture, and yoga, that help rest and restore the nervous system.
Can estrogen modulators help with secondary hypogonadism?
Secondary Hypogonadism: Causes and Potential Treatment. Research suggests that selective estrogen receptor modulators may be beneficial in secondary hypogonadism. Most cases of secondary hypogonadism appear to respond to selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM) therapy.
What are the two categories of hypogonadism?
Hypogonadism can be broken up into two categories: primary and secondary hypogonadism.
What is the difference between hypogonadism and hypogonadism?
An important distinction between the two conditions, aside from their causes, is that primary hypogonadism signals an issue occurring in the testes, while secondary hypogonadism affects the part of the brain (such as the pituitary gland) that is responsible for sending messages to the testes to produce testosterone ( Mayo Clinic ).
Why is it important to educate men and care providers about the risks these drugs pose to fertility?
It is important for men of reproductive age to know that there are risks to their fertility if they use steroids or testosterone ,” Dr Kolettis told Endocrinology Advisor.
Do opiate pills cause testosterone to drop?
Opiates suppress the hypothalamic-pituitary system, dramatically dropping testosterone levels. ”. Peter Kolettis, MD, professor of urology at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, said the rise in HH due to steroid and testosterone use is a growing problem.
Is testosterone used in young men?
The use of testosterone therapy among young men has also dramatically risen during the last decade. Reproductive endocrinologists are seeing increasing numbers of men who are infertile due to anabolic steroid use.
What causes hypogonadism in men?
Common causes of primary hypogonadism include: Klinefelter syndrome. This condition results from a congenital abnormality of the sex chromosomes, X and Y. A male normally has one X and one Y chromosome. In Klinefelter syndrome, two or more X chromosomes are present in addition to one Y chromosome.
What causes hypogonadism in the pituitary gland?
Also, treatment for a brain tumor, such as surgery or radiation therapy , can affect the pituitary gland and cause hypogonadism. Inflammatory disease.
What is the primary testicular failure?
Primary. This type of hypogonadism — also known as primary testicular failure — originates from a problem in the testicles. Secondary. This type of hypogonadism indicates a problem in the hypothalamus or the pituitary gland — parts of the brain that signal the testicles to produce testosterone.
What causes low testosterone levels?
HIV/AIDS. HIV/AIDS can cause low levels of testosterone by affecting the hypothalamus, the pituitary and the testes.
What is it called when the body doesn't produce enough testosterone?
Male hypogonadism is a condition in which the body doesn't produce enough of the hormone that plays a key role in masculine growth and development during puberty (testosterone) or enough sperm or both.
Why are testicles not functioning properly?
Secondary hypogonadism. In secondary hypogonadism, the testicles are normal but don't function properly due to a problem with the pituitary or hypothalamus. A number of conditions can cause secondary hypogonadism, including: Kallmann's syndrome.
Which gland controls hormone production?
The pituitary gland and the hypothalamus are located within the brain and control hormone production.
What causes hypogonadism in the pituitary gland?
Trauma: Bleeding around the pituitary gland or damage due to blunt impact to the head or a piercing injury can cause hypogonadism.
How to treat hypogonadism?
This entails steering clear of foods rich in this mineral, avoiding vitamin C and iron supplements, and stopping alcohol consumption.
What is the eating disorder that affects the pituitary gland?
Anorexia nervosa: This eating disorder is characterized by an aversion to gaining weight, leading to a severe, unhealthy restrictions in diet. Alongside other potentially very serious health impacts, this impacts pituitary gland function, causing hypogonadism.
What diseases affect the ovary?
Endocrine disorders: Diseases affecting the adrenal, thyroid, and other glands of the endocrine system, such as diabetes and Addison disease, can impact ovary or gonad function.
What is the name of the syndrome where a woman is born with only one chromosome?
Turner syndrome is when assigned females at birth are born with one of their two X chromosomes partially or completely missing. In addition to hypogonadism, Turner syndrome causes shortness of stature as well as a lack of periods and breast development during puberty. 4
Can hormone replacement therapy help with hypogonadism?
Hormone replacement therapy effectively manages chronic hypogonadism, and surgeries removing pituitary gland tumors can restore levels to healthy ranges.
Can anabolic steroids cause hypogonadism?
Suddenly stopping the use of anabolic steroids can also bring on hypogonadism.
What are the two types of hypogonadism?
There are two types of hypogonadism: primary and central.
How to treat hypogonadism in females?
If you’re female, your treatment will involve increasing your amount of female sex hormones. Your first line of treatment will probably be estrogen therapy if you’ve had a hysterectomy. Either a patch or pill can administer supplemental estrogen.
What hormones do you need to test for hypogonadism?
You’ll need a blood test to check your level of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone. Your pituitary gland makes these reproductive hormones. You’ll have your estrogen level tested if you’re female.
What hormones are involved in the menstrual cycle?
Sex hormones also play a role in the menstrual cycle and sperm production. Hypogonadism may also be known as gonad deficiency. It may be called low serum testosterone or andropause when it happens in males. Most cases of this condition respond well to appropriate medical treatment.
How to get testosterone replacement therapy?
Testosterone replacement therapy is a widely used treatment for hypogonadism in males. You can get testosterone replacement therapy by: injection. patch. gel. lozenge. Injections of a gonadotropin-releasing hormone may trigger puberty or increase your sperm production.
What diseases can cause a tumor in the pituitary gland?
inflammatory diseases, including sarcoidosis, tuberculosis, and histiocytosis. obesity. rapid weight loss. nutritional deficiencies. use of steroids or opioids. brain surgery. radiation exposure. injury to your pituitary gland or hypothalamus. a tumor in or near your pituitary gland.
What is the problem with central hypogonadism?
In central hypogonadism, the problem lies in your brain. Your hypothalamus and pituitary gland, which control your gonads, aren’t working properly.
What causes secondary hypogonadism?
Causes of acquired secondary hypogonadism can include: Intracranial space-occupying lesions (eg, tumours and cysts) Infiltrative disease (eg, sarcoidosis and haemochromatosis)
What causes hypogonadism in females?
Hypogonadism in females is due to disruption of any section of the hypothalamic –pituitary–ovarian axis pathway (figure 1). In a correctly functioning hypothalamic–pituitary–ovarian axis pathway:
What are the complications of oestrogen deficiency?
The long-term risks of oestrogen deficiency include an increased risk of osteoporosis and cardiovascular disease. The risk is greater with a younger age of onset. In contrast, the risk of breast cancer may be slightly reduced.
What hormones stimulate the production of oestrogen and progesterone?
FSH and LH then act on the ovaries to stimulate the production of oestrogen and progesterone.
Which hormone is produced by the hypothalamus?
The hypothalamus produces gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) at the onset of puberty. GnRH then acts on the pituitary gland, which produce follicle -stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinising hormone (LH) FSH and LH then act on the ovaries to stimulate the production of oestrogen and progesterone. Figure 1.
What is the term for an excess of prolactin?
Hyperprolactinaemia (an excess of the milk-inducing hormone prolactin).
What is the cause of genitourinary discomfort?
Loss of elasticity, thickness, and moisture of vulval skin, resulting in genitourinary discomfort. Skin changes may also reflect the underlying cause of hypogonadism; for example, hyperpigmentation may be a sign of an autoimmune disease.
