What Causes Male Hypogonadism?

Male Hypogonadism equates to the condition of inadequate production of male sex hormone – testosterone. The two basic forms of Hypogonadism include:

• Primary Hypogonadism: A form of hypogonadism also called primary testicular failure initiates from a malfunction in the testicles.
• Secondary Hypogonadism: A form of hypogonadism that indicates the incapability of the hypothalamus or the pituitary gland – sections of the brain, in transmitting signals to the testicles to manufacture testosterone.

Both forms of hypogonadism might be genetic in nature or acquired like an injury or infection.

Primary Hypogonadism: The widespread causes leading to primary hypogonadism comprise of:

• Klinefelter syndrome: A congenital anomaly when more than one X chromosome is observed in addition to a single Y chromosome. The surplus X chromosome leads to unnatural testicular development that eventually leads to dearth in testosterone production.
• Undescended testes: Prior to birth, the development of the testicles starts inside the abdomen and gradually descends into their final position within the scrotum. At times, one or both testicles might not move down during birth. This abnormality usually self-corrects in preliminary infanthood in the span of the initial few years of life and no treatment is necessary in that regard. If it continues uncorrected during preliminary infanthood, it might lead to testicular malfunction and lower testosterone production.
• Mumps: The presence of an infection in the mumps that involves the testicles along with the salivary glands known as mumps orchitis, that takes place during adolescent years or later in life could have a damaging effect on the testicles that could have a negative consequence on testicular functioning and production of testosterone.
• Hemochromatosis: Excessive iron when present in the blood could lead to testicular malfunction or functioning failure of the pituitary gland impairing testosterone production.
• Harm or damage to the testicles: At times due to the positioning of the testicles there could be some kind of accidental injury to the normal testicles leading to hypogonadism. Injury to a single testicle might not cause impediment in testosterone production.
• Cancer treatment types: Radiation therapy or Chemotherapy for treating cancer could cause an obstruction in production of testosterone and sperms. Though the side effects of the duo treatments are transitory but long-lasting sterility might take place. Though several men recover their fertility in a few months time subsequent to conclusion of treatment, sperm preservation prior to commencement of cancer treatment is a choice that several men take into consideration.
• Aging: Aging is known to reduce and slacken testosterone production, though the rate at which this deterioration occurs varies from person to person. Nearly thirty percent of elderly men past the age of 75 have lesser than normal levels of testosterone. Is treatment essential continues to be a highly debatable issue.

Secondary hypogonadism
Due to the improper functioning of the pituitary gland or the hypothalamus, the functioning of the testicles is hampered, despite the fact that they appear normal. Several conditions could lead to secondary hypogonadism that include:

• Kallmann syndrome: Anomalous hypothalamus development affects the production of the pituitary hormones eventually leading hypogonadism. This anomaly is additionally related with impeded development of the capacity to smell known as anosmia.
• Pituitary abnormality: Due to an anomaly in the pituitary gland there is an impediment in the discharge of hormones from the pituitary gland that affects normal testosterone release. The presence of a pituitary tumor or other form of brain tumor situated close to the pituitary gland could lead to deficit of testosterone or other hormones. Additionally, brain tumor treatments like surgical intervention or radiation therapy could hinder pituitary functioning and lead to hypogonadism.
• Inflammatory disease: Particular forms of inflammatory diseases like sarcoidosis, histiocytosis and TB or tuberculosis are related to the hypothalamus and pituitary gland, and could have a major affect on the production of testosterone leading to hypogonadism.
• Presence of HIV or AIDS: This virus is known to lead to lowered testosterone levels by having a grave effect on the hypothalamus, pituitary and the testes.
• Certain medicines: The usage of particular forms of drugs like opiate pain-reliever medicines and certain hormones might have an affect on testosterone levels.
• Being Obese: Those highly obese individuals irrespective of age might be associated to hypogonadism.

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