Hypogonadism: symptoms, causes, treatment, etc. & bull; hello healthy

What is hypogonadism?

Hypogonadism is a condition in which the sex glands produce very little or no hormones.

The sex glands, also known as gonads, are usually found in the testes in men and the ovaries in women.

Sex hormones are hormones that help control physical changes in men and women, such as entering puberty.

This hormone also plays a role in producing sperm in men and the menstrual cycle in women.

Quoted from the Mayo Clinic, hypogonadism is generally divided into two, namely primary and secondary hypogonadism.

Primary hypogonadism

This condition occurs due to problems with the sex glands or sex organs. The brain still signals the gonads to produce hormones, but the testes or ovaries cannot.

Secondary (central) hypogonadism

In secondary or central hypogonadism, the brain fails to signal the sex glands to produce hormones.

The fault lies in the hypothalamus and pituitary gland in the brain.

How common is hypogonadism?

Hypogonadism is a condition that is more common in men than women.

This condition is more experienced by men, which is around 1 in 500-1,000 people. While women are only about 1 per 2500 to 10,000 people.

In addition, primary types are more common than secondary types.

Hypogonadism can strike at any age. However, the symptoms and consequences suffered by each age group are different.

For example, if this condition occurs before birth, the baby will be born with the problem sex.

If this condition occurs after puberty, the sufferer will experience fertility problems, sexual dysfunction, and infertility.

What are the signs and symptoms of hypogonadism?

This disease is a condition that can begin during fetal development, before puberty, or during adulthood.

Signs and symptoms depend on when the condition develops.

In men, the main symptom of hypogonadism is a disruption in the male hormone testosterone.

This condition can be diagnosed when low testosterone, fatigue, decreased energy, and reduced sex drive.

Then, another symptom is the presence of fertility problems or infertility in men.

Therefore, this can be one of the obstacles when you and your partner want to do a pregnancy program.

This is due to the low levels of sperm in the body.

In addition, other symptoms of hypogonadism in men such as:

The function and physique of the genitals are abnormal
Reduced muscle mass
Impaired growth of body hair
Impaired growth of the penis and testes
Breast tissue development (gynecomastia)
Erectile dysfunction
Infertility
Loss of bone mass (osteoporosis)

Meanwhile, the symptoms of hypogonadism in women are:

Stop menstruating
Reduced sexual arousal
Late breast growth
Removing a milky discharge from the breast (from a prolactinoma)
Feeling hot
Energy and mood changes

There may still be some symptoms not listed above. If you have questions about symptoms, consult your doctor.

When to go to the doctor

See your doctor if you have the above symptoms of hypogonadism or want to ask further questions. Always discuss with your doctor to find the best solution for your condition.

What are the causes of hypogonadism?

There are two types of hypogonadism, namely primary and secondary.

Common causes of primary hypogonadism include:

Certain autoimmune disorders such as Addison's disease and hypoparathyroidism
Genetic disorders such as Turner syndrome (in women) and Klinefelter syndrome (in men)
Infection
Liver and kidney disease
Radiation
Operation
Excess iron (hemochromatosis)

While common causes of secondary hypogonadism, such as:

Anorexia nervosa
Bleeding in the pituitary area
Take medications such as glucocorticoids and opiates
Discontinue use anabolic steroids
Genetic disorders including Kallmann syndrome
Infection
Malnutrition
Radiation
Drastic weight loss (including weight loss after bariatric surgery)
Operation
Tumor
HIV / AIDS

However, in broad outline the causes of hypogonadism, namely:

1. Congenital

This condition may appear since the baby is still in the womb. Some of the diseases that can trigger this condition are:

Klinefelter's Syndrome
Cryptorchidism disease
Varicocele
Myotonic dystrophy
Genetic mutation
Abnormal chromosomes

2. Appears as an adult

Hypogonadism can also occur without being inherited and occurs due to external factors, such as:

Infection
Radiation
Toxic substances from nature
Alkylating agent
Ketoconazole drug
Medicines glucocorticoids
Excessive use of steroid drugs
Weak immune system disease

3. Idiopathic

Apart from the causes described above, there is a possibility that hypogonadism may occur to you but it is not known what the exact cause is.

How do doctors diagnose hypogonadism?

The information described is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor.

When diagnosing this disorder, the doctor will perform a thorough physical examination.

All parts of the body will be examined, whether their development is appropriate for age or not.

Your doctor may check your muscle mass, hair all over your body, and your reproductive organs.

Then, if needed, the doctor will recommend that you do some additional tests, such as:

1. Hormone test

If the doctor suspects that you have hypogonadism, the next test will be to check the hormone levels in the body.

The doctor will do blood tests to find out hormone levelsfollicle-stimulating(FSH) andluteinizing hormone (LH).

In addition, for women, doctors will measure levels of the hormone estrogen.

In men, what is measured is the level of the hormone testosterone. This test is usually done in the morning, when hormone levels are at their peak.

2. Sperm test

A sperm count test will usually also be performed by doctors on male patients. This is because hypogonadism can reduce the number of sperm in the body.

3. Iron, prolactin, and thyroid tests

The doctor may also check the iron level in the blood because iron can affect the production of human sex hormones.

Some doctors will also check your prolactin and thyroid hormone levels. Prolactin is a hormone that plays a role in breast growth and breast milk.

However, it is possible that this hormone is found in both sexes.

Meanwhile, thyroid problems usually show symptoms that resemble hypogonadism.

4. Imaging tests

A number of imaging tests are required, for example, sonogram of the ovaries or testes. If pituitary disease is detected, an MRI or CT scan of the brain may be done.

What are the treatments for hypogonadism?

The treatment and treatment of hypogonadism is quite varied because it is seen from what causes it and for whom.

Here are some common treatments or treatments, such as:

1. Replacement of the hormone testosterone

There are many factors that men need to consider before deciding on testosterone replacement therapy as a treatment for hypogonadism.

This is done to restore the levels of the hormone testosterone back to normal.

Please note that men need testosterone so that sexual arousal returns.

Some types of hormone replacement therapy for men are:

A gel that can be applied to the arms, shoulders, or thighs
Injection or injection into the muscle area or under the skin
Patch which is affixed to the thigh
Chewing gum that is attached to the gums so that the hormones are absorbed through the blood
Nasal spray that is applied three times a day
Implants that are done surgically

From several types of therapy, there are side effects such as decreased sperm production, sleep disturbances, acne, and increased red blood cell production.

2. Stimulate puberty

There are also treatments or treatments that can be done for boys who experience them delayed puberty (delayed puberty).

The fix is to provide testosterone supplements for 3 to 6 months. Hormones can be given by injection.

3. Hormone therapy for women

Treatment for women with hypogonadal conditions is to increase the amount of sex hormones in the body.

Increasing levels of the hormones estrogen and progesterone can strengthen bones and promote sex drive.

Estrogen and progesterone are sometimes combined to reduce the chance of developing endometrial cancer.

Women with hypogonadism who have decreased sexual desire may also be prescribed low doses of testosterone.

This does not rule out the possibility that your sex hormone levels will decrease if you stop treatment.

It should be noted, if the hypogonadism condition is caused by a tumor in the pituitary gland (the organ under the brain), then you will need radiation therapy to surgery.