is a medical term for a defect of the s (
Testosterone ,
Estradiol ,
Antimullerian Hormone ,
Progesterone ,
Inhibin B ),
Activin and to produce
Gamete s (
Egg s or
Sperm ). Deficiency of sex hormones can result in defective primary or secondary sexual development, or withdrawal effects (e.g., premature
Menopause ) in adults. Defective egg or sperm development results in
Infertility .
The term hypogonadism is usually applied to permanent rather than transient or reversible defects, and usually implies deficiency of reproductive hormones, with or without
Fertility defects. The term is less commonly used for infertility without hormone deficiency.
There are many possible types of hypogonadism and several ways to categorize them.
Hypogonadism can involve just
Hormone production or just
Fertility , but most commonly involves both.
- Examples of hypogonadism that affect hormone production more than fertility are Hypopituitarism and Kallmann Syndrome ; in both cases fertility is reduced until hormones are replaced but can be achieved solely with hormone replacement.
- Examples of hypogonadism that affect fertility more than hormone production are Klinefelter Syndrome and Kartagener Syndrome .
Hypogonadism is also categorized by endocrinologists by the level of the reproductive system which is defective.
Physicians measure
Gonadotropin s (
LH and
FSH ) to distinguish primary from secondary hypogonadism. In primary hypogonadism the LH and/or FSH are usually elevated, while in secondary hypogonadism both are normal or low.
Hypogonadism is often discovered during evaluation of
Delayed Puberty , but ordinary delay which eventually results in normal
Pubertal development and reproductive function is termed ''.
Hypogonadism is most often treated by replacement of the appropriate hormones. For men this is
Testosterone . For women
Estradiol and
Progesterone are replaced. Some types of fertility defects can be treated; some cannot.
