Find information on thousands of medical conditions and prescription drugs.

Hypogonadism

Hypogonadism is a medical term for a defect of the reproductive system which results in lack of function of the gonads (ovaries or testes). The gonads have two functions: to produce hormones (testosterone, estradiol, antimullerian hormone, progesterone, inhibin B), activin and to produce gametes (eggs 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. more...

Home
Diseases
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
Hairy cell leukemia
Hallermann Streiff syndrome
Hallux valgus
Hantavirosis
Hantavirus pulmonary...
HARD syndrome
Harlequin type ichthyosis
Harpaxophobia
Hartnup disease
Hashimoto's thyroiditis
Hearing impairment
Hearing loss
Heart block
Heavy metal poisoning
Heliophobia
HELLP syndrome
Helminthiasis
Hemangioendothelioma
Hemangioma
Hemangiopericytoma
Hemifacial microsomia
Hemiplegia
Hemoglobinopathy
Hemoglobinuria
Hemolytic-uremic syndrome
Hemophilia A
Hemophobia
Hemorrhagic fever
Hemothorax
Hepatic encephalopathy
Hepatitis
Hepatitis A
Hepatitis B
Hepatitis C
Hepatitis D
Hepatoblastoma
Hepatocellular carcinoma
Hepatorenal syndrome
Hereditary amyloidosis
Hereditary angioedema
Hereditary ataxia
Hereditary ceroid...
Hereditary coproporphyria
Hereditary elliptocytosis
Hereditary fructose...
Hereditary hemochromatosis
Hereditary hemorrhagic...
Hereditary...
Hereditary spastic...
Hereditary spherocytosis
Hermansky-Pudlak syndrome
Hermaphroditism
Herpangina
Herpes zoster
Herpes zoster oticus
Herpetophobia
Heterophobia
Hiccups
Hidradenitis suppurativa
HIDS
Hip dysplasia
Hirschsprung's disease
Histoplasmosis
Hodgkin lymphoma
Hodgkin's disease
Hodophobia
Holocarboxylase...
Holoprosencephaly
Homocystinuria
Horner's syndrome
Horseshoe kidney
Howell-Evans syndrome
Human parvovirus B19...
Hunter syndrome
Huntington's disease
Hurler syndrome
Hutchinson Gilford...
Hutchinson-Gilford syndrome
Hydatidiform mole
Hydatidosis
Hydranencephaly
Hydrocephalus
Hydronephrosis
Hydrophobia
Hydrops fetalis
Hymenolepiasis
Hyperaldosteronism
Hyperammonemia
Hyperandrogenism
Hyperbilirubinemia
Hypercalcemia
Hypercholesterolemia
Hyperchylomicronemia
Hypereosinophilic syndrome
Hyperhidrosis
Hyperimmunoglobinemia D...
Hyperkalemia
Hyperkalemic periodic...
Hyperlipoproteinemia
Hyperlipoproteinemia type I
Hyperlipoproteinemia type II
Hyperlipoproteinemia type...
Hyperlipoproteinemia type IV
Hyperlipoproteinemia type V
Hyperlysinemia
Hyperparathyroidism
Hyperprolactinemia
Hyperreflexia
Hypertension
Hypertensive retinopathy
Hyperthermia
Hyperthyroidism
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
Hypoaldosteronism
Hypocalcemia
Hypochondrogenesis
Hypochondroplasia
Hypoglycemia
Hypogonadism
Hypokalemia
Hypokalemic periodic...
Hypoparathyroidism
Hypophosphatasia
Hypopituitarism
Hypoplastic left heart...
Hypoprothrombinemia
Hypothalamic dysfunction
Hypothermia
Hypothyroidism
Hypoxia
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
Q
R
S
T
U
V
W
X
Y
Z
Medicines

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.

Read more at Wikipedia.org


[List your site here Free!]


Effect of male hypogonadism on bone architecture - Tips
From American Family Physician, 12/15/03 by Richard Sadovsky

Men as well as women are at risk of developing osteoporosis that may lead to increased risk of fractures. According to bone density studies in men with low levels of testosterone, hypogonadism is an independent risk factor for osteoporosis. When testosterone is replaced, bone density increases in this population. Bone density is a popular and easy way to measure the degree of osteoporosis, but it does not provide complete information about fracture risk. Alterations of bone architecture, as determined by histomorphometry, also represent increased risk of fracture, even in men with minimal evidence of osteoporosis. Alternative ways to examine bone microarchitecture include quantitative computed tomography and high-resolution magnetic resonance microimaging ([micro]MRI). The latter test has been called "the virtual bone biopsy" and demonstrates the integrity of the trabecular network. Benito and associates used [micro]MRI-based virtual bone biopsy to evaluate the trabecular architecture of bone in severely hypogonadal men compared with a control group of eugonadal men.

Ten men with secondary hypogonadism, diagnosed on the basis of repeat morning serum testosterone levels of less than 8.7 nmol per L, underwent testing of bone mineral density by dual energy x-ray absorptiometry and [micro]MRI of the right distal tibia. The control group was made up of 10 eugonadal men who also were evaluated.

Bone density was decreased among the hypogonadal men, but the difference was not statistically significant. Using a variety of accepted parameters, the [micro]MRI results revealed significantly more deterioration of bone architecture among the hypogonadal men. Participants in both groups were matched by race, age, body mass index, calcium intake, and smoking status, so none of these factors could account for the difference in bone architecture.

The authors conclude that hypogonadal men have increased deterioration of bone architecture that is detectable by [Mu]MRI. This deterioration of bone structure may result in decreased bone strength and greater fracture risk to a degree not clearly indicated by bone density testing.

RICHARD SADOVSKY, M.D.

Benito M, et al. Deterioration of trabecular architecture in hypogonadal men. J Clin Endocrinol Metab April 2003; 88:1497-502.

EDITOR'S NOTE: In recent years, the National Institute on Aging1 has focused on the potential value of testosterone supplementation in men with low levels of testosterone. The panel noted that study results have shown that testosterone replacement in older men has a beneficial effect on bone mineral density, muscle strength, and lean body mass, with decreases in body fat and improvements in lipid profiles. Unfortunately, the results are not consistent among all trials, and testosterone supplementation is not totally benign. The panel concludes that the strongest association exists between clinical hypogonadism and osteoporosis and decreased sexual function. The best way to measure testosterone levels remains uncertain, as do the appropriate numbers to use to represent the lower limit of normal. The potentially serious side effects of testosterone supplementation include (1) increased risk of prostate cancer, (2) increased risk of significant benign prostatic hypertrophy, (3) blood hyperviscosity secondary to erythropoiesis stimulation, (4) increased risk of sleep apnea, (5) possible increased risk of cardiovascular disease, and (6) aggressive behavior or inappropriate sexual behavior. Further studies are needed to identify the usefulness of testosterone supplementation in older men with low levels of serum testosterone. Specific clinical syndromes, including osteoporosis and diminished sexual interest and activity, are becoming accepted indications for carefully monitored testosterone supplementation.--R.S.

REFERENCE

(1.) Thorner M, et al., for the Advisory Panel on Testosterone Replacement in Men. Special report. Report of National Institute on Aging Advisory Panel on Testosterone Replacement in Men. J Clin Endocrinol Metab October 2001;86:4611-4.

COPYRIGHT 2003 American Academy of Family Physicians
COPYRIGHT 2003 Gale Group

Return to Hypogonadism
Home Contact Resources Exchange Links ebay