Hypogonadism can be defined as the condition where the gonads cease to function correctly, resulting in the reduction of the sex hormones produced, also affecting the production of the germ cells. To make the understanding all the more sorted, the testes in men and the ovaries in women do not function normally. In a nutshell, people who suffer from Hypogonadism lack the potential to develop normal sexual health and low testosterone.
Low Testosterone
There are certain cases where people may counter congenital hypogonadism while on the other hand, hypogonadism may be acquired due to the onset of a particular disease or any other malfunction of the body. If hypogonadism is a condition that strikes during childhood, it has the torrential potential to ruin the sexual development of the child, whereas if this condition crops up during adulthood the result could be infertility.
There are two types of hypogonadism. They are primary and secondary hypogonadism. In primary hypogonadism, the testes in men and the ovaries in women get affected, resulting in malfunction. In secondary hypogonadism, the condition is caused due another situation affecting another part of the body which results in lower hormone production which reaches the gonads.
Hypogonadism Symptoms in Men
Male hypogonadism can be detected with the help of these symptoms.
- A decreased sexual drive in men is the first and foremost symptom of hypogonadism. Men with hypogonadism frequently complain of erections not being very strong and are unable to maintain the time period of erections. However, there are times when men do not have any troubles in dealing with their sexual performance, which further does not rule out the probability of male hypogonadism.
- Low testosterone levels is another symptom of the hypogonadotropic hypogonadism. Testosterone is the hormone that elevates the sex drive in men.
- When men have decreased libido and erectile dysfunction, it could be a signal of hypogonadism. However, there are some cases where the sexual drive is not affected. Thus, the possibility of male hypogonadism should not be discarded.
- Men with hypogonadism are not effectively motivated to work out. An effective metabolism is halted when fat increases and muscle mass is lost.
- Hypogonadism symptoms in men include mood swings. Depression, irritability, getting annoyed easily, diminishing self-esteem, nervousness, hot flushes are some of the symptoms that mark hypogonadism.
- Mental capacity is affected for men with hypogonadism. Concentration levels drop and performance is hampered when diagnosed with hypogonadism.
- The aging process in men appears to speed up when detected with hypogonadism. They look and feel old marked by decreased vitality and strength.
- Body hair is lost when testosterone is not produced in adequate quantities in the system. The chest, pubic area and the armpits are devoid of hair, resulting in hypogonadism.
- Skin becomes dry, flaky and coarse with wrinkles when hypogonadism strikes.
Hypogonadism Symptoms in Women
- The most prominent hypogonadism symptom in women is troubles with bones. Osteoporosis and osteoarthritis are conditions that relate to thinning of the bones. Reduced bone reliability can lead to bone fractures.
- Reduced sexual drive, resulting in decreased levels of ovulation.
Hot flashes or hot flushes could be another hypogonadism symptom in women. Excessive sweating and irritability are some of the signs that indicate hypogonadism. - Headaches, loss of clear vision, absence of normal sex drive and a discharge from breasts could be other symptoms of hypogonadism in women.
