Hypogonadism is a disease in which the ovaries or testicles do not produce or produce few sex hormones.
The result of hypogonadism can be infertility, the absence of puberty, menstruation, or little development of the male sexual organ.
Treatment of hypogonadism
Hypogonadism is treated using hormonal drugs to replace hormones, stimulate ovulation in women and the production of sperm in men. In some cases, surgery may be necessary.
When hypogonadism is caused by tumors, radiation therapy can be part of the treatment.
Causes of hypogonadism
The causes of hypogonadism can be primary or secondary.
Primary hypogonadism is also called hypergonadotrophic hypogonadism and secondary hypogonadism is hypogonadotrophic hypogonadism.
Causes of primary hypogonadism
The causes of primary hypogonadism include:
- Autoimmune, renal or liver diseases; Genetic problems, such as Turner's Syndrome, in women, and Klinefelter Syndrome, in men; Infection; Radiation; Surgery.
In hypergonadotrophic hypogonadism, the ovaries or testicles do not function properly, producing few or no sex hormones because they do not respond to brain stimulation.
Causes of secondary hypogonadism
The causes of secondary hypogonadism can include:
- Abnormal bleeding; Genetic problems; Infection; Nutritional deficiencies; Excess iron; Radiation; Rapid weight loss; Tumors; Surgery.
In hypogonadotrophic hypogonadism, the hypothalamus and pituitary gland, which are the sites in the brain that control the gonads, which in turn are ovaries and the testicles do not function properly, with little or no production of sex hormones.
