Hypogonadism

In Context

• Recently, it has been found that Testosterone replacement therapy is the standard treatment for Hypogonadism.

Hypogonadism 

• About:
  • It is a clinical syndrome, which results from the failure of the testes to produce physiologic levels of testosterone and a normal number of spermatozoa due to defects at one or more levels of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis. 
  • Primary hypogonadism results from malfunction at the level of the testes due to a genetic cause, injury, inflammation, or infection.
  • The signs and symptoms of hypogonadism depend on the age of onset, severity of androgen deficiency, and underlying cause of androgen deficiency.
• Impacts:
  • It can cause sexual dysfunction, weakening of bones and muscles, and reduced quality of life.
  •  Risk factors include ageing (as testosterone levels decline with age), obesity and diabetes
  • Worldwide, 2% of men aged over 40 are affected, and this is growing as the population gets older.
• Treatment: 
  • Testosterone replacement therapy is the standard treatment for hypogonadism.

• Prescribing of testosterone for hypogonadism is increasing globally, but conflicting messages about its safety may have led to many patients not receiving the treatment. 
  • Ongoing studies should help to determine the longer-term safety of testosterone.

Source:IE