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Symptoms
By Mayo Clinic staff
Hypogonadism can occur during fetal development, puberty or adulthood. Depending on when it develops, the signs and symptoms differ.
Fetal development
If the body doesn't produce enough testosterone during fetal development, the result may be impaired growth of the external sex organs. Depending on when it develops, and how much testosterone is present, a child who is genetically male may be born with:
- Female genitals
- Ambiguous genitals — genitals that are neither clearly male nor clearly female
- Underdeveloped male genitals
Puberty
During puberty, male hypogonadism may slow growth and affect development. It can cause:
- Decreased development of muscle mass
- Lack of deepening of the voice
- Impaired growth of body hair
- Impaired growth of the penis and testicles
- Excessive growth of the arms and legs in relation to the trunk of the body
- Development of breast tissue (gynecomastia)
Adulthood
In adult males, hypogonadism may alter certain masculine physical characteristics and impair normal reproductive function. Signs and symptoms may include:
- Erectile dysfunction
- Infertility
- Decrease in beard and body hair growth
- Decrease in muscle mass
- Development of breast tissue (gynecomastia)
- Loss of bone mass (osteoporosis)
Hypogonadism can also cause mental and emotional changes. As testosterone decreases, some men may experience symptoms similar to those of menopause in women. These may include:
- Fatigue
- Decreased sex drive
- Difficulty concentrating
- Hot flashes
When to see a doctor
See a doctor if you have any symptoms of male hypogonadism. Establishing the cause of hypogonadism is an important first step to getting appropriate treatment.
- Snyder PJ. Causes of primary of hypogonadism in males. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Sept. 19, 2008.
- ?Snyder PJ. Causes of secondary hypogonadism in males. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Sept. 19, 2008.
- Snyder PJ. Clinical features and diagnosis of male hypogonadism. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Sept. 17, 2008.
- Medical guidelines for clinical practice for the evaluation and treatment of hypogonadism in adult male patients - 2002 update. Endocrine Practice. 2002; 8(6):440-56
- Swerdloff RS, et al. The testis and male sexual function. In: Goldman L. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/105282103-4/750311888/1492/915.html#4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-2805-5..50258-5--cesec32_11391. Accessed Sept. 21, 2008.
- Snyder PJ. Testosterone treatment of male hypogonadism. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Sept. 17, 2008.
- Dietary Reference Intakes: Elements. Institute of Medicine. http://www.iom.edu/Object.File/Master/54/411/DRIs.Vitamins.pdf. Accessed Sept. 21, 2008.
- Dietary Reference Intakes: Vitamins. Institute of Medicine. http://www.iom.edu/Object.File/Master/54/395/DRIs.Elements.pdf. Accessed Sept. 21, 2008.
- Testosterone gel safety concerns prompt FDA to require label changes, medication guide. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2009/NEW02011.html. Accessed May 11, 2009.
