Can hypogonadism affect women?

Can hypogonadism affect women?

In women, hypogonadism may cause infertility. Menopause is a form of hypogonadism that occurs naturally. It can cause hot flashes, vaginal dryness, and irritability as estrogen levels fall. The risk for osteoporosis and heart disease increase after menopause.

What is female hypogonadism?

Hypogonadism is a condition that causes decreased function of the gonads, which are the testes in males and the ovaries in females, and decreased production of sex hormones.

What causes female hypogonadism?

What causes hypogonadism in females? Hypogonadism in females is due to disruption of any section of the hypothalamic–pituitary–ovarian axis pathway (figure 1). In a correctly functioning hypothalamic–pituitary–ovarian axis pathway: The hypothalamus produces gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) at the onset of puberty.

How do you fix primary hypogonadism?

For primary hypogonadism, hormone replacement therapy can raise hormone levels. Men may have testosterone therapy, while women may have estrogen and progesterone hormone therapy.

How do you test for hypogonadism?

Your provider will test your blood level of testosterone if you have signs or symptoms of hypogonadism. Because testosterone levels vary and are generally highest in the morning, blood testing is usually done early in the day, before 10 a.m., possibly on more than one day.

What happens if hypogonadism is left untreated?

In men, complications of untreated hypogonadism include loss of libido, failure to achieve physical strength, the social implications of failing to go through puberty with peers (if hypogonadism occurs before puberty), and osteoporosis.

What deficiency causes hypogonadism?

Male hypogonadism, also known as testosterone deficiency, is a failure of the testes to produce the male sex hormone testosterone, sperm, or both. It can be due to a testicular disorder or the result of a disease process involving the hypothalamus and pituitary gland.

What causes primary hypogonadism?

The causes of primary hypogonadism include: autoimmune disorders, such as Addison’s disease and hypoparathyroidism. genetic disorders, such as Turner syndrome and Klinefelter syndrome. severe infections, especially mumps involving your testicles.

Can you get pregnant with hypogonadism?

It’s possible for women with hypogonadism to become pregnant, but it may be difficult without the proper treatment. Hypogonadism that occurs in adult females can often cause infertility. If it’s untreated, these cases of hypogonadism may prevent a woman from being able to become pregnant.

What are symptoms of low testosterone in females?

Low testosterone can cause one or more of the following symptoms in women:

• sluggishness.
• muscle weakness.
• fatigue.
• sleep disturbances.
• reduced sex drive.
• decreased sexual satisfaction.
• weight gain.
• fertility issues.

What condition may arise if there is hormonal imbalance between progesterone and estrogen in female?

A hormone imbalance can lead to polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), a condition in which the body makes higher levels of male hormones. The imbalance leads to skipped periods and can contribute to health issues such as heart disease and diabetes. Imbalances may also cause heavier than normal periods.

Can hypogonadism be cured?

With the right treatment, primary hypogonadism can be effectively cured. The precise form of treatment depends on at what age the hypogonadism first appears. For children and adolescents, hormone replacement therapy can help stimulate puberty, leading to normal development of secondary sex characteristics.

What are common causes of hypogonadism?

Causes of Hypogonadism. Primary hypogonadism causes can include aging, autoimmune disorders such as Addison’s disease and hypoparathyroidism, genetic disorders such as Klinefelter syndrome (congenital abnormality of the sex chromosomes), liver and kidney diseases, undescended testes, chemotherapy or radiation exposure, and surgery on the sex organs.

What causes congenital hypogonadism?

ANSWER Congenital hypogonadism is present at birth and can be caused by a variety of inherited conditions. Among males, the most common congenital cause of hypogonadism is called Klinefelter syndrome , an abnormality of the X- and Y-chromosomes, which determine sexual characteristics.

Is low testosterone the same as hypogonadism?

Hypogonadism is another name for low testosterone; however, it’s not the same thing as what we call andropause (or “male menopause”), which is an age-related condition involving low testosterone in men. Age may play a role in hypogonadism, but it may result from other causes and occur in younger men.

What causes male hypogonadism?

The cause of hypogonadism can be primary or central (secondary). In primary hypogonadism, the ovaries or testes themselves do not function properly. Causes of primary hypogonadism include: The most common genetic disorders that cause primary hypogonadism are Turner syndrome (in women) and Klinefelter syndrome (in men).