Male hypogonadism

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Complications

By Mayo Clinic staff

The complications of untreated hypogonadism differ depending on what age it first develops — during fetal development, puberty or adulthood.

Fetal development
A baby may be born with:

  • Ambiguous genitalia
  • Abnormal genitalia

Puberty
Pubertal development can be delayed or incomplete, resulting in:

  • Diminished or lack of beard and body hair
  • Impaired penis and testicle growth
  • Unproportional growth, usually increased length, of arms and legs compared with the trunk
  • Enlarged male breasts (gynecomastia)

Adulthood
Complications may include:

  • Infertility
  • Erectile dysfunction
  • Decreased sex drive
  • Fatigue
  • Muscle loss or weakness
  • Enlarged male breasts (gynecomastia)
  • Decreased beard and body hair growth
  • Osteoporosis
References
  1. Snyder PJ. Causes of primary of hypogonadism in males. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Sept. 29, 2010.
  2. Snyder PJ. Causes of secondary hypogonadism in males. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Sept. 29, 2010.
  3. Snyder PJ. Clinical features and diagnosis of male hypogonadism. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Sept. 29, 2010.
  4. Snyder PJ. Testosterone treatment of male hypogonadism. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Sept. 29, 2010.
  5. Male hypogonadism. The Merck Manuals: The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals. http://www.merck.com/mmpe/sec17/ch227/ch227b.html. Accessed Oct. 14, 2010.
  6. Medical guidelines for clinical practice for the evaluation and treatment of hypogonadism in adult male patients mdash; 2002 update. Endocrine Practice. American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists. www.aace.com/pub/pdf/guidelines/hypogonadism.pdf. Accessed Oct. 14, 2010.
  7. Testosterone therapy in adult men with androgen deficiency syndromes. Chevy Chase, Md.: The Endocrine Society. http://www.endo-society.org/guidelines/Current-Clinical-Practice-Guidelines.cfm. Accessed Oct. 25, 2010.
  8. Brunton SA, et al. Late-onset male hypogonadism and testosterone replacement therapy in primary care. The Journal of Family Practice. 2010;59(suppl):S1.
  9. Bassil N, et al. Late-life onset hypogonadism: A review. Clinics in Geriatric Medicine. 2010;26:197.
  10. Dietary Reference Intakes for calcium and vitamin D. Institute of Medicine. http://www.iom.edu/vitamind. Accessed Dec. 2, 2010.
DS00300 Dec. 9, 2010

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