Hypogonadism is when the sex glands produce little or no hormones. In men, these glands (gonads) are the testes. In women, they are the ovaries.
Hypogonadotropic hypogonadism is a form of hypogonadism that is due to a problem with the pituitary or hypothalamus glands. These glands are found in or near the brain.
See also: Hypogonadism
Normally, the hypothalamus in the brain releases gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH). This hormone stimulates the pituitary gland to release other hormones, including follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH).
Normally, these hormones tell the female ovaries and male testes to release hormones that lead to normal sexual development in puberty.
Kallmann syndrome is an inherited form of hypogonadotropic hypogonadism that can occur with a loss of smell.
Tests that may be done include:
Treatment depends on the source of the problem, but may involve:
With the right hormone treatment, the person can go through puberty and fertility may be restored.
Call your health care provider if your child does not enter puberty as expected.
Prevention depends on the cause.
People who have a family history of inherited conditions that cause hypogonadism may benefit from genetic counseling. Preventing serious head injuries reduces the risk of hypogonadotropic hypogonadism due to pituitary injury.
Gonadotropin deficiency; Secondary hypogonadism; Kallmann syndrome
Styne DM, Grumbach MM. Puberty: Ontogeny, neuroendocrinology, physiology, and disorders. In: Melmed S, Polonsky KS, Larsen PR, Kronenberg HM, eds. Williams Textbook of Endocrinology. 12th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier;2011:chap 25.
Reviewed by: Nancy J. Rennert, MD, Chief of Endocrinology & Diabetes, Norwalk Hospital, Associate Clinical Professor of Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
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