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Hypogonadism
Angela Richard-Eaglin, DNP, MSN, APRN, FNP-BC
KEYWORDS
Hypogonadism Kallmann syndrome Turner syndrome
Hypergonadotropic hypogonadism Testosterone replacement therapy
Hypogonadism treatment Hypogonadotropic hypogonadism
Klinefelter syndrome
KEY POINTS
Primary hypogonadism is caused by gonadal (testicular or ovarian) failure.
Secondary hypogonadism is the result of a dysfunction at any level within the hypothala-
mus and/or pituitary.
Clinical presentation and clinical management are based on age of onset, signs and
symptoms, and laboratory/diagnostic test results.
BACKGROUND
Disclosure Statement: The author does not have any relationship with a commercial company
that has a direct financial interest in subject matter or materials discussed in article or with a
company making a competing product.
Healthcare in Adult Populations Division, Duke University School of Nursing, DUMC 3322, 307
Trent Drive, Durham, NC 27710, USA
E-mail address: angela.richard-eaglin@duke.edu
MALE HYPOGONADISM
Male hypogonadism refers to a clinical syndrome that occurs when the testes fail to
produce physiologic levels of testosterone, normal sperm levels, or both. Primary
hypogonadism, also known as testicular hypogonadism in men, is a result of testic-
ular dysfunction. It is associated with low serum testosterone levels, spermatogen-
esis impairment, and increased levels of the gonadotropins, luteinizing hormone
(LH), and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH).1–6 Male hypergonadotropic hypogonad-
ism (primary hypogonadism) is most commonly caused by Klinefelter syndrome, uni-
lateral or bilateral cryptorchidism, mumps orchitis, radiation and chemotherapy,
medications (ie, glucocorticoids and ketoconazole), testicular torsion, and trauma.1–5
Hypogonadotropic hypogonadism or secondary hypogonadism results from disor-
ders of the hypothalamus and the pituitary gland, causing low serum testosterone
levels, decreased spermatogenesis, and low or inappropriately normal levels of LH
and FSH.1–3
Diagnosis
The diagnosis of male hypogonadism is based on signs and symptoms in combination
with serum testosterone levels. The clinical presentation of men with hypogonadism is
consistent with the age of onset.1 Clinicians should begin the diagnostic workup by
obtaining a comprehensive health history, which should include questions regarding
the following: existing systemic medical conditions, family medical history, drug use
or misuse, eating habits (to ascertain presence of eating disorders), exercise prac-
tices, and prescription medications. The signs and symptoms are variable and modi-
fied by age of onset, duration and severity of hormone deficiency, individual androgen
deficiency and sensitivity, comorbidities, and history of previous testosterone ther-
apy.1–3 Clinical manifestations of hypogonadism in prepubertal men include delayed
Male and Female Hypogonadism 397
Prognosis
Morbidity for men with hypogonadism includes decreased quality of life related to sex-
ual health, infertility, and an increased risk of osteoporosis.6 There is no known in-
crease in mortality related to hypogonadism.1,6 Although it is a chronic condition
that cannot be cured, it is treatable.6
Screening
The impact of hypogonadism on mortality, long-term benefits and effects of testos-
terone therapy, and the long-term consequences on low testosterone levels have
yet to be determined. There is also no clinical trial evidence of the predictive value
or cost-effectiveness of generalized screening of the male population for hypogonad-
ism. Therefore, routine screening for hypogonadism in the general male population
cannot be justified.1,2,7
398 Richard-Eaglin
Fig. 1. Diagnostic workup for male hypogonadism. A comprehensive health history should
be obtained at the initial visit to determine existence of systemic disorders, substance use/
abuse (opioids, glucocorticoids, anabolic steroids), and eating habits (signs and symptoms
of anorexia nervosa). Testosterone reference ranges vary by laboratory; therefore, providers
should use the ranges provided by the laboratory in their clinical practice. Prolactin levels
guide diagnosis of prolactinoma. MRI should be ordered on a case-by-case basis and directly
related to the patient’s clinical presentation. (Data from Bhasin S, Cunningham GR, Hayes FJ,
et al. Testosterone therapy in men with androgen defieciency syndromes: an endocrine
society clinical practice guideline. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2010;95(6):2536–59.)
Clinical Management
The goal of treatment of hypogonadism is to restore sexual function and well-being,
induce and/or maintain secondary sex characteristics, restore fertility, and improve
bone mineral density, and muscle mass.1,4,5 Testosterone therapy is contraindicated
and should not be initiated in men with a history of breast or prostate cancer, men with
a hematocrit greater than 50%, untreated severe obstructive sleep apnea, poorly
controlled heart failure, and men with severe lower urinary tract infection.1–3 Prostate
cancer risk should be assessed before initiation of testosterone therapy. Men with the
Male and Female Hypogonadism 399
Table 1
Hypogonadism management in men: US-approved testosterone therapy
Testosterone
Level
Route Dosing Monitoring Patient Education
Injectable Intramuscular For pubertal 3–6 mo after Advise patient that
preparations induction: initiation of changes in mood
Long-acting 50–75 mg/mo; therapy, then may occur
testosterone gradually increase yearly
esters: every 6 mo to 3–6 mo after
Testosterone 100–150 mg/mo initiation of
enanthate or Adult men: therapy, then
cypionate 75–100 mg weekly yearly
or 150–200 mg
biweekly
Transdermal Transdermal 5–10 mg patch 3–12 h after Apply to skin of
preparations Transdermal applied daily application upper arm, back,
Testosterone 5–10 g of gel Any time of day or thigh in
patch containing 50– after 1 wk of nonpressure
Testosterone 100 mg of treatment location. A skin
gel 1% testosterone, reaction may
applied daily occur at the site of
application.
Advise patient to
cover application
site with a shirt;
testosterone can
be transferred
through skin to
skin contact; wash
skin with soap and
water before skin
contact with
others; leave gel
on for at least
4–6 h before
washing
Buccal Buccal 30 mg controlled Immediately Advise patient that
testosterone release before or after taste alterations
tablets bioadhesive application and irritation to
tablets twice daily gums and oral
(every 12 h) mucosa may occur
2% Axillary Axilla3 60–120 mg topical 2–8 h after Skin irritation may
testosterone solution in axillae application3 occur3
solution3 daily3
not be offered to all older men with low testosterone levels, but rather should be
offered to older men on a symptom-related case-by-case basis.1
FEMALE HYPOGONADISM
Diagnosis
Diagnosis of female hypogonadism is affected by onset, comorbidities, and severity of
the dysfunction.4,5 It is most often diagnosed in the first or second decade of life, dur-
ing which time pubertal onset is expected.5 Female patients with hypogonadism usu-
ally present with primary amenorrhea, underdeveloped breasts, short stature,
eunuchoidism, or infertility.4,5 Postpubertal clinical manifestations include secondary
amenorrhea, hot flashes, decreased libido, changes in mood and energy levels, and
osteoporosis.4,5
In addition to clinical presentation, diagnostic testing should be done, including es-
trogen level, FSH, LH, and pituitary function studies (Fig. 2).4 Increased LH and FSH
levels are consistent with primary ovarian failure.24,25 Secondary ovarian failure is
consistent with low LH and FSH levels and indicates a hypothalamic or pituitary
dysfunction.24,25 Additional, symptom driven laboratories may also be warranted.
These tests include serum iron and prolactin levels, thyroid function studies, and kar-
yotyping to assess for the presence of chromosomal abnormalities.4 Antiovarian anti-
body levels should be checked in women with normal karyotype and elevated
gonadotropin levels, to exclude autoimmune disease.4 Total and free testosterone
levels and 17-hydroxyprogesterone concentrations should be checked in postpuber-
tal women presenting with acne, hirsutism, and/or amenorrhea or irregular menses.4
Imaging studies may also be indicated in women with symptoms of hypogonadism.
MRI of the hypothalamic-pituitary area should be done for suspected hypogonado-
tropic hypogonadism and to rule out or confirm pituitary involvement.4,5 Pelvic ultra-
sound and/or MRI may be indicated to assess for ovarian abnormalities.4 In
402 Richard-Eaglin
Fig. 2. Diagnostic workup for female hypogonadism. A comprehensive health history should
be obtained at the initial visit to determine existence of systemic disorders, substance use/
abuse (opioids, glucocorticoids, anabolic steroids), and eating disorders (ie, anorexia nerv-
osa). Estrogenic hormone levels vary in women based on reproductive cycle and age. Refer-
ence ranges vary by laboratory; therefore, providers should use the ranges provided by the
laboratory in their clinical practice. Prolactin levels guide diagnosis of prolactinoma. MRI
should be ordered on a case-by-case basis and directly related to the patient’s clinical presen-
tation. (Data from Bhasin S, Cunningham GR, Hayes FJ, et al. Testosterone therapy in men
with androgen defieciency syndromes: an endocrine society clinical practice guideline. J
Clin Endocrinol Metab 2010;95(6):2536–59; and Hypogonadism. Medscape Web site. 2017.
Available at: https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/922038. Accessed November 1, 2017.)
Prognosis
As with men with hypogonadism, morbidity for women with hypogonadism includes
negative effects on quality of life, infertility and its psychological effects, and osteopo-
rosis.4,26 Infertile women have higher levels of depression, anxiety, and stress than
fertile women.26 Many of the causes of hypogonadism are treatable and have positive
outcomes.4
Screening
There is no evidence in the literature to support routine screening for hypogonadism.
Clinical Management
The goal of therapy for hypogonadal women is to induce and maintain secondary sex
characteristics, normalize sexual function, and improve bone and muscle mass.4,5,26
Therapy should be individualized for each patient, and is guided by age of onset,
growth and growth potential, and the patient’s psychosocial needs.4 Young women
Male and Female Hypogonadism 403
with bone ages at or less than 12 years should be started on a very low starting dose of
estrogen, because higher doses may cause rapid epiphyseal maturation.4
The standard treatment for women with hypogonadism is hormone replacement
therapy with estrogen (Table 2).4,5,26 Available estrogen replacement options include
oral and transdermal. Natural estrogens, as opposed to synthetic, are the treatment of
choice due to incomplete metabolism of synthetic estrogens, which increases the risk
for thromboembolism and arterial hypertension.5 Several estrogen-progesterone
combination oral contraceptives can be used as replacement therapy for female pa-
tients with hypogonadism. Patient education should include all contraindications, pre-
cautions, and drug interactions for estrogens and progesterones.4,5
Oral or transdermal estradiol is the recommended treatment for induction of puberty
in young women (see Table 2).4,5 The recommended initial oral estrogen therapy is
with a small, unopposed daily dose for 3 to 6 months, after which time the dose is
increased and cycled.4 The initial transdermal dose may be titrated after 6 to
12 months.4 Adding progestogen after the first 6 months is recommended to aid in
cyclical therapy (see Table 2).4,5
Although hormone replacement is the primary treatment for hypogonadism, individ-
ual patient needs and management of other effects of the disorder must be con-
sidered. Women with hypogonadotropic hypogonadism are at increased risk for
poor skeletal development, bone loss, and fracture. Therefore, in addition to hormone
replacement, clinical management should include calcium and vitamin D
Table 2
Hypogonadism management in women
Controversies
Long-term use of hormone therapy can increase the risk of breast cancer, blood clots,
and heart disease.4 Therefore, patients who choose to receive hormone replacement
therapy should be well informed by their health care provider regarding the risks and
benefits of hormone replacement therapy. Implications for future research and publi-
cation exist due to limited published literature on female hypogonadism.
SUMMARY
Current research supports the notion that testosterone replacement therapy is more
beneficial than harmful, and this should be considered in the management of hypogo-
nadism in men. Because of the complicated nature of hypogonadism, interprofes-
sional collaboration is of great benefit to these patients. The psychosocial impact of
hypogonadism in men and women must become a clinical management priority.
REFERENCES
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Male and Female Hypogonadism 405