Hypogonadism Definition, Reason, Symptoms, Treatment & Prevention
Understanding
Hypogonadism is a condition when the gonads or sex glands produce little or no sex hormones. Gonad glands are found in the testes for men and the ovaries (ovaries) for women.
Sex hormones play an important role in the development of the secondary sexual organs, namely the breasts in women and the testes in men, and pubic hair for both. Sex hormones also play a role in the menstrual cycle and sperm production.
There are two types of hypogonadism, namely:
- Primary
Hypogonadism that occurs because there is a problem with the gonads. Actually, the gonad glands have received command signals from the brain to produce sex hormones. However, the gland is unable to produce it.
- Secondary or central
In secondary hypogonadism, the problem lies in the brain. Errors are found in the hypothalamus and pituitary gland which control the work of the gonad glands.
Symptom
Symptoms of hypogonadism are related to the sexual organs, namely:
- loss of body hair
- decreased or absent sexual desire
- infertility
- loss of muscle mass
- osteoporosis
- fatigue
- hard to concentrate
- irregular menstrual cycles
- discharge like milk from the breast in women
- slow or no breast growth in women or abnormal breast growth in men
- decreased growth of the penis and testicles
- erectile dysfunction
- hot flushes
Reason
The causes of hypogonadism differ between primary and secondary. Causes of primary hypogonadism include:
- genetic disorders, such as Turner and Klinefelter syndromes
- Autoimmune diseases, such as hypoparathyroidism
- liver and kidney disease
- heavy infection
- undescended testes
- hemochromatosis (too much iron in the body)
- radiation
- surgery on the sexual organs
Causes of secondary hypogonadism include:
- genetic disorders, such as Kallmann’s syndrome, in which the hypothalamus does not develop normally
- pituitary gland disorders
- inflammatory diseases such as tuberculosis
- infections such as HIV//AIDS
- long-term use of steroids and opiates
- an accident to the pituitary gland or hypothalamus
- There is a tumor near the pituitary gland
- brain surgery
- obesity
- fast weight loss
- nutritional deficiencies
- radiation
Diagnosis
Doctors can suspect the presence of hypogonadism from the medical history found through a series of detailed medical interviews with patients. Apart from that, the doctor will also do a physical examination.
The doctor will do a physical examination of the growth of the sexual organs, whether they are age-appropriate. In addition, muscle mass and body hair growth will also be examined.
Hormone tests are done to confirm the presence of hypogonadism. Hormones examined include follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), estrogen, and testosterone. In men, a sperm analysis will also be carried out.
Checking iron levels will be done because it can cause hypogonadism. In addition, thyroid function will also be checked because the symptoms are also similar to hypogonadism.
Ultrasound examination is done to detect problems with the ovaries. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computerized tomography (CT- scan ) examinations are performed to look for tumors in the pituitary gland that can also cause hypogonadism.
Treatment
Treatment of hypogonadism is with hormone replacement therapy. In women, a combination of the hormones estrogen and progesterone is used because the hormone estrogen itself can increase the risk of endometrial cancer. However, women who have had a hysterectomy or removal of the uterus are only given estrogen therapy. Hormones can be given via pills, or patches ( patches ).
To treat decreased sexual desire, low doses of the hormone testosterone can be given. If there are menstrual problems or infertility, the hormone human choriogonadotropin (hCG) or pills containing FSH can be given to stimulate the release of the egg. Whereas in men the hormone testosterone is used by injection, patch, gel or pill which is not swallowed but placed under the tongue.
Hypogonadism due to pituitary tumors are treated with radiation, drugs or surgery to remove the tumor.
Prevention
Hypogonadism is difficult to prevent, especially if it is caused by genetic disorders, autoimmune disorders, tumors, infections, and so on. But hypogonadism caused by obesity and rapid weight loss and malnutrition can be prevented. We recommend that you always adopt a healthy lifestyle such as a healthy diet and regular exercise so that the hormones in the body remain stable.