Male hypogonadism is as a result of the body’s incapability to produce enough hormones – Testosterone. The primary role of this hormone is for the proper development of masculine features and sexual functions (testosterone).
Hypogonadism can be developed later or in life or present right from birth. It can also be gotten through a disease or injury. The effect of hypogonadism is dependent on how severe it is, and at what stage you developed it.
Some particular types of hypogonadism in men can be remedied using testosterone replacement therapy.
Symptoms of male hypogonadism
Hypogonadism in men can occur during fetal development – way before puberty. The symptoms and signs of hypogonadism in men depend on the level or stage of the condition.
Fetal development
During fetal development, the body is expected to produce enough testosterone, and if it doesn’t, it can result in impaired development of the external sex organs.
Depending on the period that hypogonadism develops and the amount of testosterone present, a male child might be born with:
- Underdeveloped male sex organs
- Female sex organs
- Ambiguous genitals – not male or female
Puberty
Hypogonadism may cause a delay in adolescence or the healthy development of male physical attributes. It can disrupt:
- The proper enhancement of bone mass
- Breaking of voice
- Development of the testicles and penis
- Growth of facial and body hair.
It can result in:
- Development of breast tissues (gynecomastia)
- Abnormal increase of the legs and arms concerning the ratio of the body.
Adulthood
Hypogonadism can disrupt some particular physical attributes in older men and cause an abnormality in the functioning of your reproductive system.
Early symptoms or signs of hypogonadism in men include:
- Decreased energy or fatigue
- Depression and anxiety
As time goes on, men who have hypogonadism develop:
- Infertility or sterility
- Erectile dysfunction
- A decrease in muscle mass
- Growth of breast tissue (gynecomastia)
- Osteoporosis – reduction in bone mass
- A reduction in the growth of hair on your body and hair.
Chronic hypogonadism can result in emotional and mental changes. As the testosterone levels in men decrease, they experience symptoms similar to menopause in women.
These symptoms include:
- Hot flashes
- Difficulties in concentration
Causes of hypogonadism in men
Male hypogonadism implies that the testicles are unable to produce enough testosterone hormones.
The types of male hypogonadism include:
Primary
This particular hypogonadism is known as a major failure in the testicles, and it originates from an issue or condition in your testicles.
Secondary hypogonadism
This particular male hypogonadism occurs as a result of abnormal functioning in your pituitary gland or hypothalamus. These glands are the part of the brain which conveys signals to the testicles to begin testosterone production.
The hypothalamus is responsible for creating gonadotropin-releasing hormones that transmit signals to the pituitary gland for the production of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH).
Luteinizing hormone then conveys messages to the testes to start testosterone production.
Either one of these male hypogonadism can be due to physical injury or an infection to the testes; sometimes it could be an inherited or inborn trait. In some cases, both primary and secondary hypogonadism happen together.
Primary hypogonadism
Major causes of hypogonadism include:
Klinefelter syndrome
This is a congenital or inherited trait. It is a malfunction of the sex chromosomes, X and Y. Men usually have a single X and Y chromosomes, and however, a man with the Klinefelter syndrome has two or more X chromosomes and a single Y chromosome.
The Y chromosome consists of the genes that decide the sex of a child. The additional X chromosome associated with the Klinefelter syndrome results in malformed growth of the testicles in men.
This syndrome further results in the underproduction of the male sex hormone known as testosterone.
Undescended testicles
Prior to birth, the testes in a man develop within the abdomen and permanently descend into the scrotum. At times, either one or both of these testicles do not descend at birth.
During the first years of one’s life, this condition usually corrects itself without any help – surgery or medication. If this condition is not fixed in the early years of a child, it can result in the testicles’ abnormal functioning and a reduction in the testosterone production.
Mumps orchitis
During adolescence and adulthood, if a male experiences a mumps infection relating to the testicles, it can result in the testicles’ abnormal functioning and reduced production of testosterone.
Hemochromatosis
Having excess iron in your blood can result in a lower production of testosterone, or even pituitary gland malfunction.
Damage to the testicles
Because the testes are located on the outer part of the abdomen, they can be easily injured. An injury to a well-developed testicle may result in hypogonadism. If one of the testicles is damaged, it might not destroy the total production of testosterone.
Cancer treatment
Making use of radiation or chemotherapy for cancer treatment may cause a reduction in the production of sperm and testosterone.
The outcome of these treatments on the creation of sperm and testosterone are most at times temporary, but you might develop permanent infertility.
Although some men recover their fertility after some time, preserving their sperm before engaging in any sperm treatment is an option to consider.
Secondary hypogonadism
In the case of secondary hypogonadism, men develop normal testicles but due to a malfunctioning in the pituitary gland, it can impair proper functioning.
Various types of conditions can result in secondary hypogonadism; they include:
Kallman’s syndrome
This condition is known as the abnormal development of the brain that regulates the emission of pituitary hormones (hypothalamus). Often times, it can also result in a loss of smell (anosmia) and red-green color blindness.
Pituitary malfunctions
Any abnormality to the pituitary gland can disrupt the secretion of hormones to the testicles, thereby reducing the production of testosterone.
A brain tumor or other forms of pituitary tumor close to the pituitary gland can cause low testosterone levels and hormone deficiencies. Conducting surgeries or treatments for brain tumor can cause adverse effects to the pituitary gland, thereby causing hypogonadism in men.
Inflammatory diseases
Some types of inflammatory diseases that affect the hypothalamus and pituitary gland can result hypogonadism. Diseases such as, sarcoidosis, histiocytosis, and tuberculosis.
Drugs
The usage of certain drugs like pain relief drugs can cause a reduction in your testosterone levels.
Obesity
Being overweight or obese can cause chronic health issues, including hypogonadism.
Healthy aging
When you start to age, there would be a decrease in testosterone levels.
HIV/AIDS
HIV/AIDs can reduce your testosterone levels by directly affecting the hypothalamus, the testes, and your pituitary glands.
Andropause
Andropause is used to describe a lowered testosterone level in men due to the normal aging process. Testosterone levels are at its peak during the ages of twenty and begin to decrease significantly at the age of forty.
Risk factors
Certain risk factors associated with hypogonadism include:
- HIV/AIDs
- Type 2 diabetes
- Renal failure
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
- Malnutrition
- Previous radiation therapy or chemotherapy
- Excess weight
- Genetics
Complications
The problems that may arise due to untreated hypogonadism vary depending on the period it develops in a man, either during the fetal, puberty, or adulthood period.
Complications may include:
- Fertility problems
- Erectile complications
- Low self-esteem
- Osteoporosis
- Abnormal genitalia
- Enlarged male breasts (gynecomastia)
Treatment
Testosterone boosters are highly recommended for male hypogonadism. You must purchase testosterone boosters from trusted sources.
Another conventional treatment for hypogonadism is testosterone replacement therapy; these are generally given in injections and transdermal patches. Testosterone replacement therapy is ideal for the elimination of most of the symptoms of hypogonadism.
Its benefits include:
- Increased libido or sex drive
- Increased bone mineral density
- Mood improvement
- Overall improved health condition
All men undergoing testosterone replacement therapy ought to be under supervision by their doctors regularly.
Remedies
Some necessary lifestyle changes can help in reducing your symptoms of hypogonadism or curbing it.
These lifestyle changes include:
- Exercising regularly but moderately
- Managing stress
- Giving up smoking
- Avoiding alcohol
- Getting adequate sleep
These measures are beneficial when it comes to maintaining a healthy testosterone level.
Diagnosis
If a man is at risk of developing hypogonadism, a doctor would conduct a series of tests and inspect your medical history to diagnose if you have hypogonadism or not.
Two essential blood tests must be carried out to confirm the presence of hypogonadism, they include:
- Serum total
- Free testosterone
For better accuracy, the blood test should be conducted between the hours of 7.00 and 11.00 in the morning.
Conclusion
Male hypogonadism is a chronic condition that causes severe damages to your overall health. It negatively influences the self-esteem and quality of life in men. Any man with low testosterone levels should visit the doctor to get recommended methods on how to curb it.
Hypogonadism causes malnutrition, systematic illness, stress, liver cirrhosis, and excessive intake of alcohol. Symptoms of this condition include erectile dysfunction, decreased libido and mood, sleep disturbances, and increased body fat.
Testosterone boosters are highly recommended for the increase in your testosterone levels.
