Hypogonadism

Many people with hypogonadism may not realise they have the condition. It can often be misdiagnosed as the symptoms it causes can also be associated with other conditions.

Symptoms of hypogonadism in men include:

• reduced sex drive and/or erectile dysfunction

• loss of armpit or pubic hair

• shrinking testicles

• hot flushes

• low or zero sperm count

• low mood or depression, reduced concentration, poor memory

• increased body fat and breast tissue

• decrease in endurance, strength and muscle mass

Symptoms of hypogonadism in women can be misdiagnosed as PMS pr peri/menopause:

• tender breasts

• dry skin

• vaginal dryness or atrophy

• weak or brittle bones (osteoporosis)

• weight gain, especially in the belly

• difficulty concentrating, fatigue and trouble sleeping

• mood changes and irritability

• hot flushes and night sweats

• irregular or no periods (amenorrhea)

• headaches before or during menstruation

• low or no libido and painful intercourse (dyspareunia)

Primary hypogonadism happens when your testes or ovaries stop working normally. This can be caused by:

• injury to the glands

• medical treatments, such as chemotherapy or radiotherapy or surgery to remove the glands

• exposure to certain drugs and chemicals when you’re in the womb

• genetic conditions, including Klinefelter syndrome and Turner syndrome

• complications of infection, including mumps and tuberculosis (TB)

• certain autoimmune conditions

• certain drugs such as opiates and anabolic steroids

Secondary hypogonadism happens when your pituitary gland doesn’t work as it should, and affects the testes or ovaries. This can be caused by:

• pituitary gland disorders, such as a pituitary tumour

• certain inflammatory diseases, such as sarcoidosis, histiocytosis and tuberculosis

• HIV/AIDS

• certain medications, including opiates

• a genetic condition called Kallmann syndrome

Risk factors that might make you more likely to develop hypogonadism include:

• ageing

• obesity

• low body fat or eating disorders

• type 2 diabetes

Diagnosing hypogonadism usually involves an initial consultation where our endocrinology specialist will:  

1. Take a history to get a full understanding of your family history, health status and risk factors.

2. Ask about your symptoms – what you’re experiencing, when they started, if anything affects how severe they are, and how your life is affected.

3. Do a physical examination.

4. Review any relevant scans and other previous investigations.

They may also recommend scans to see if there’s any damage or change to your pituitary gland, ovaries, or testes.

You can’t prevent hypogonadism, but you can reduce some of your risk factors by:

• managing diabetes, eating disorders, autoimmune conditions, or problems using opiates or anabolic steroids

• maintaining a healthy weight

For men and women, hypogonadism increases the risk of fragile bones, known as osteoporosis. This can increase your risk of bone fractures, especially in your wrists, ribs, hips, and spine.

For women, a lack of oestrogen may also increase the chances of cardiovascular problems.

Low levels of sex hormones can cause a range of symptoms and can also affect bone strength and psychological wellbeing. Our specialists will perform a detailed individual assessment and advise on the optimal replacement of these hormones to restore full health.

1. For men with hypogonadism, hormone therapy may be given via testosterone injection, gels, patches, pellets (implanted under the skin), or buccal tablets (sticky pills applied to the gums).

2. For women with hypogonadism, hormone replacement may be given in the form of oestrogen via patches, pills, gels, creams, sprays, and injections. You’ll also need progesterone if you have a womb, to keep the womb lining from growing too thick.

Our on-site pharmacy stocks products recommended by our consultants, so you can pick up your prescription immediately after your consultation.

At Welbeck, our endocrinologists are experts in their field and are dedicated to providing world-class care to every patient.

With access to colleagues across other specialties, our consultants are also able to refer within the Welbeck ecosystem if required to ensure you receive the treatment you need as quickly as possible, all under one roof.  

All appointments, testing, treatment, and follow-up appointments take place within our state-of-the-art facilities, enabling us to deliver accurate diagnostics and advanced treatments.

Your health is important to us, so we strive to offer same-day appointments whenever possible.

Our consultants are recognised by the major health insurance companies. If you have private health insurance, your treatment at Welbeck can begin once you have obtained authorisation. We also provide care to self-paying patients. Learn more about the different payment options at Welbeck.

Get in touch today to book an appointment.