Disease, injury, surgery, and drug side effects can cause hypogonadism and testosterone deficiency. Hypogonadism is congenital (present at birth) or acquired, depending on the nature of the underlying condition.
Primary hypogonadism stems from a problem in the testes, while secondary hypogonadism is caused by problems of the hypothalamus or pituitary gland.
Congenital causes of hypogonadism include the absence of one or more testes; failure of testes to descend into the scrotum; hormonal deficiency; Kallmann syndrome (insufficient hypothalamic production of the hormone that controls reproduction); and Klinefelter’s syndrome (underdeveloped testes).
Acquired causes of hypogonadism include chemotherapy effects; damage occurring during surgery involving the pituitary gland, hypothalamus, or testes; glandular malformation; head trauma affecting the hypothalamus; infection (e.g., meningitis, syphilis, mumps); isolated luteinizing hormone deficiency; radiation; testicular trauma; and tumors of the pituitary gland, hypothalamus, or testes. Research has also shown a higher incidence of hypogonadism with concomitant conditions, such as diabetes and AIDS.
Testosterone levels naturally start to decline around the age of 40. Often, the declines are minimal and testosterone levels remain in the normal range. But in other men, below-normal levels can occur and they may begin to notice symptoms. It is important to talk to your doctor to find out if you could have low testosterone.
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