Hypogonadism or low testosterone is a condition that’s mysterious to many people. But in reality, it affects millions of men all over the world. Male hypogonadism is a condition that affects a male’s body by not producing enough testosterone. It’s an essential hormone that maintains muscle mass and development during puberty. Some are born with the condition, but many will experience it later on in life when they hit their 40s. Most of the time, it affects men due to injury or illness. So if you want to know more about this condition and the hypogonadism treatment, read on below.
Signs & Symptoms of Male Hypogonadism
It’s worth noting that male hypogonadism symptoms depend on when the condition develops. It can be during fetal development, before puberty, or adulthood. For fetal development, it may result in impaired growth of the sex organs. For genetically born males, they may be born with female genitals, genitals that are neither male nor female, or underdeveloped male genitals. It can also delay male puberty or cause a lack of normal development. It can prevent mass muscle growth, voice deepening, facial and body hair growth, and growth of penis and testicles.
In adulthood, early signs and symptoms may be a decrease in sex drive, a reduction in the sense of well-being, and depression. And over time, they may even develop infertility, erectile dysfunction, decrease in muscle mass, development of breast, and loss of bone mass. So if you experience any of the above, it’s best to check with your healthcare physician on what to do.
The Diagnosis & Treatment of the Condition
If you think your child has hypogonadism, you should bring them to a doctor for early detection. It can actually help prevent problems from delayed puberty. And with men, early diagnosis can offer better medication and protection against osteoporosis and other related conditions. They will conduct a physical exam and track your development, such as your pubic hair, muscle mass, and the size of your testes, to see if these are consistent with your age. In addition, they will test your blood level of testosterone throughout the day. The best time will be at 8 AM.
If the tests confirm that you have low testosterone, further testing may be required. These studies might include semen analysis, pituitary imaging, testicular biopsy, and hormone testing. Treatment will also vary, but the primary type is testosterone replacement therapy. It may be through gel, injection, patch, gum and cheek, nasal, or implantable pellets.