aetiology
Last edited 05/2018 and last reviewed 06/2023
There are four aetiological classes of hypogonadism in the male (1):
- primary hypogonadism - ie hypogonadism due to testicular failure
- congenital primary gonadal disease
- acquired primary gonadal disease
- secondary hypogonadism - may be due to reduced gonadotrophins due to hypothalamic-pituitary disease
- congenital e.g. Kallman's syndrome
- secondary e.g. pituitary tumours
- reversible secondary hypogonadism may also be the result of systemic illness e.g. (end-stage respiratory or renal disease), obesity, hyperprolactinaemia, long-term excessive exercise (1), poor nutritional status, supraphysiological doses of steroids, drugs (spironolactone, ketoconazole, marijuana)
Reference:
- 1. DTB 1999; 37 (1): 3-6.
hypogonadotrophic hypogonadism
congenital primary gonadal disease