Hypogonadism is a medical condition characterized by the body's inability to produce normal amounts of sex hormones, such as testosterone in males and estrogen and progesterone in females. This condition can occur due to problems with the gonads (testes in men and ovaries in women) or with the hypothalamus or pituitary gland, which are parts of the brain that regulate hormone production.
Primary Hypogonadism: This type originates from a problem in the gonads themselves. Causes can include genetic disorders (like Klinefelter syndrome or Turner syndrome), infections (such as mumps orchitis), autoimmune disorders, surgery, radiation, or trauma to the gonads.
Secondary Hypogonadism:M Also known as central hypogonadism, this type stems from issues with the hypothalamus or the pituitary gland. Causes can include genetic disorders (like Kallmann syndrome), tumors, head trauma, certain medications, or chronic illnesses.
Symptoms of hypogonadism can vary depending on the age of onset and the underlying cause, but generally include: