Hypogonadism Testing
Hypogonadism can affect both men and women, either from birth or later on in life. Gonads are the sexual organs in humans: in females, they are the ovaries, and in men, the testes. The main functions of the gonads are to produce eggs or sperm, and the sex hormones that differentiate between men and women. Hypogonadism occurs when a man's gonads aren't functioning properly.
Many men who have a deficiency in testosterone are found to have hypogonadism. While testosterone is often referred to as the “male hormone,” females do produce small amounts of it as well. Contrary to what many people believe, testosterone is not just responsible for a man's sex drive. It is also responsible for the growth and development of the sexual organs, fat distribution and bone mass, and the deepening of the voice.
A man can be diagnosed with either primary or secondary hypogonadism. If a man has primary hypogonadism, his testes don't function properly. There are numerous causes of primary hypogonadism, including:
- Injury to the testicles
- Undescended testicles
- Liver or kidney problems
- Hemochromatosis (excess iron in the blood)
- Chemotherapy or radiation therapy
Secondary hypogonadism is related to a problem in the pituitary gland or hypothalamus that interferes with the secretion of pituitary hormones, which affects the function of the testicles. Secondary hypogonadism may be caused by disorders that affect the pituitary gland, or by certain diseases or medications.
In adult males, the symptoms of hypogonadism can include:
- Erectile dysfunction and infertility
- Breast enlargement (gynecomastia)
- Osteoporosis
- Decreased muscle mass
- Decreased body hair growth
“Men should consider having themselves checked for hypogonadism or testosterone deficiency if they have some of the symptoms, or they think they have the symptoms,” says Dr. Richard Bebb, an endocrinologist active in the Men's Health Initiative of BC. “They should check with their personal practitioner and have blood tests done and discuss the issue.”
