What Is Late-Onset Hypogonadism?
It is quite evident that the effect of aging reduces the action of cellular functioning in the body. Late-onset hypogonadism is one of those functional disorders which occur due to aging. With the increase in age, the testosterone level of the body is decreased.
The aging process in males results in the decreased efficiency at both the primary as well as the secondary level. At the primary level, the testis fails to produce the normal amount of testosterone due to atherosclerosis and degeneration in Leydig cells. Leydig cells are the cells which are primarily responsible for secretion of testosterone. There is an age related deterioration that also occurs in Hypothalamic-pituitary region which results in the abnormal signaling for the release of testosterone from Leydig cells. Sex Hormone Binding Globulin increases with age, this result in the binding of testosterone and the concentration of free testosterone further reduces. Further, the aromatase activity also increases which further complicate the situation.
Hypogonadism Symptoms
Symptoms Of Hypogonadism In Males
The level below 280 ng per deciliter indicates a low level of testosterone. Following are the symptoms that may be experienced by males in cases of hypogonadism:
- Low sex drive.
- Erectile dysfunction.
- Reduced body hair
- Low muscle mass
- Non-deepening of voice.
- Delayed puberty
- Abnormal development of sperm
- Male infertility
Symptoms Of Hypogonadism In Females
Following are the symptoms of female hypogonadism:
- Female infertility
- Polycystic ovary syndrome
- Dysmenorrhea
- Irregular bleeding
- Fatigue
- Mood swings
- Weight gain or weight loss, the reason for which is unexplained
- Hair loss
- Low libido.
- Primary Hypogonadism: When the gonads are unable to synthesize and release the sex hormones such as in Turner syndrome.
- Secondary Hypogonadism: When the pituitary or hypothalamus is unable to cause a trigger in the gonads as in case of Kallmann syndrome.
Further, the hypogonadism may be from birth known as congenital hypogonadism or it may be due to certain condition acquired later in the life known as acquired hypogonadism.
The hormones generally involved in hypogonadism are testosterone in males and estrogen in females.
Conclusion
- Mayo Clinic – Male Hypogonadism: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/male-hypogonadism/symptoms-causes/syc-20354881
- Cleveland Clinic – Hypogonadism: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/15638-hypogonadism-low-testosterone
- Endocrine Society – Testosterone Therapy in Adult Men with Androgen Deficiency Syndromes: https://www.endocrine.org/clinical-practice-guidelines/testosterone-therapy-in-adult-men-with-androgen-deficiency-syndromes
- PubMed Health – Hypogonadism: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK279053/
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