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Hypogonadism is a condition in which the sex glands are unable to produce enough, or even any, sex hormones. This condition can arise at various stages of life and can affect every gender. With this condition, the sex glands, also known as the gonads, do not work properly, leading to many other health issues.
While many people focus on the sexual implications of hypogonadism, you should know that its effects go beyond sexual health. Hypogonadism also affects physical and emotional health, and you can only know more about these if you learn about the condition itself.
Types of Female Hypogonadism
Hypogonadism can be classified into three major types. This classification is based on the underlying conditions and mechanisms. These include primary, secondary, and eugonadotropic hypogonadism.
Primary Hypogonadism
Also known as hypogonadotropic hypogonadism, primary hypogonadism in females occurs when the ovaries are unable to produce enough sex hormones. This type of hypogonadism occurs even when the ovaries receive signals from the pituitary glands that should cause them to produce normal or even elevated sex hormones.
As such, it is a situation whereby you do not have enough sex hormones in your body due to a problem in your ovaries.
Secondary Hypogonadism
Secondary hypogonadism is also known as central hypogonadism. Unlike primary hypogonadism, where your brain does signal your ovaries to produce sex hormones, the problem here originates from the brain.
In secondary hypogonadism, the pituitary glands do not send the right signals to the ovaries. As such, the ovaries are not properly stimulated to produce sex hormones.
Eugonadotropic Hypogonadism
Also known as normogonadotropic hypogonadism, this type of hypogonadism can be caused by both primary and secondary hypogonadism. With this, you have normal levels of gonadotropins (LH and FSH) but low sex hormones.
You are more likely to have eugonadotropic hypogonadism if you have an underlying condition like PCOS. With this, the problem is more with hormone synthesis than secretion. It also means that there is nothing wrong with your brain, but the hormones are not properly produced.
Causes of Female Hypogonadism?
There are several causes of female hypogonadism. Each type has distinct causes, so we will focus on discussing the causes by type.
Primary hypogonadism
- Generic disorders like Klinefelter syndrome, Turner syndrome, and Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome (AIS)
- Autoimmune diseases like Addison’s disease and hypoparathyroidism
- Infections like mumps orchitis, HIV, and other STIs
- Trauma and surgeries such as testicular torsion or orchiectomy
- Liver and kidney diseases
- Chemotherapy and radiation therapy
Secondary hypogonadism
- Genetic disorders like Kallmann syndrome
- Pituitary developmental disorders like pituitary aplasia or hypoplasia
- Pituitary tumors such as prolactinomas, gonadotroph adenomas, or craniopharyngiomas
- Infections such as HIV
- Chronic illnesses like chronic kidney disease, liver cirrhosis, or severe malnutrition
- Traumatic brain injuries affecting the hypothalamus or pituitary gland
- Rapid weight loss or obesity
- Medications such as glucocorticoids, opioids, and antipsychotics
- Radiation exposure
- Brain surgery
Eugonadotropic Hypogonadism
- Obesity
- Aging
- Chronic illnesses or stress
- Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
- Hyperprolactinemia
What Are the Symptoms of Female Hypogonadism?
Just like their causes, the symptoms of hypogonadism depend heavily on various factors and differ from person to person. They are mainly observed based on type and gender identity.
In this article, we will discuss the symptoms you can notice as an Assigned Female At Birth (AFAB).
Symptoms that might affect AFAB people include:
- During childhood and adolescence
- Delayed puberty
- Absence of menstruation
- Underdeveloped genitalia
- During adulthood
- Cessation of menstruation
- Hot flashes and night sweats
- Infertility
- Vaginal dryness and atrophy
- Decreased libido and sexual dysfunction
- Loss of body hair
- Loss of bone density
How Is It Diagnosed?
You need a combination of various clinical and laboratory tests to properly diagnose female hypogonadism. This condition can be caused by various factors and may even be disguised as other issues, so you must consult a licensed healthcare practitioner to get a proper diagnosis.
The diagnosis for female hypogonadism include:
Clinical Evaluation
The healthcare practitioner will use a detailed clinical method to evaluate the presence, cause, type, and possible treatment of your hypogonadism. This process starts with a medical history, where the doctor will evaluate information regarding your menstrual history, family history, pubertal development, medical conditions and medications, and symptoms.
You will also have to undergo a physical examination after the clinical assessment. The healthcare practitioner will check for delayed or absent secondary sexual characteristics, like underdeveloped breasts or sparse pubic hair. They will also check for signs of estrogen deficiency, like dry skin and vaginal atrophy.
Furthermore, they may evaluate the symptoms of associated conditions, like short stature that could be caused by Turner’s syndrome.
Laboratory Testing
Laboratory testing for hypogonadism detection mainly involves checking the hormone levels and assessing the functions of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis. The laboratory may carry out some of the following tests:
- Estradiol analysis
- Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH) and Luteinizing Hormone (LH) checks
- Prolactin level
- Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and Free Thyroxine (T4) analysis
- Anti-Müllerian Hormone (AMH) level
- Karyotype analysis
Imaging Studies
Your healthcare professional can also recommend imaging to detect the structure and condition of your organs and endocrine glands. The simplest is the pelvic scan, which can be used to access the ovaries and uterus and determine their sizes, positions, and situations.
The healthcare specialist can also use Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) to evaluate your hypothalamus and pituitary glands.
Specialized Tests
Specialized tests are further needed to confirm the underlying causes of hypogonadism. Your healthcare professional can recommend the following:
- GnRH stimulation test
- Bone density scan (DEXA Scan)
- Genetic testing
Differential Diagnosis
A differential diagnosis is done to rule out other conditions that may be disguised as hypogonadism. Therefore, do not be surprised if your doctor recommends testing for Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), hyperprolactinemia, thyroid disorders, or other chronic illnesses.
Natural Remedies for Hypogonadism
Several natural remedies can help you properly manage hypogonadism. They include:
Exercise
Regular exercise can positively impact hormonal levels, ensuring your body remains in top condition to combat hypogonadism. You should consider regular resistance training and cardiovascular exercise for a healthy weight and hormone balance. However, you should also know that exercising too much can reduce your estrogen levels, so keeping it balanced is the key.
Consider taking supplements
Certain dietary supplements can be beneficial for hormones and help combat hypogonadism. These include zinc, magnesium, vitamin D, and certain herbal supplements like fenugreek and ashwagandha.
Get plenty of quality sleep
Sleep, as simple as it is, can immensely improve your symptoms of hypogonadism. Research shows that quality sleep is vital for hormonal balance and overall health.
However, do not simply sleep. Instead, you must maintain a consistent sleep schedule, create a restful environment, limit your exposure to screens before bedtime, and avoid stimulants like caffeine and nicotine.
Avoid estrogen-like chemicals
Estrogen-like chemicals, including bisphenol A (BPA), found in plastics, can disrupt your hormonal balance. You should also check your personal care products, pesticides, and other possible culprits that can expose you to xenoestrogens and avoid them.
Watch your alcohol intake
Alcohol can affect hormone levels and worsen the symptoms of hypogonadism. It’s important that you limit your alcohol intake and desist from binge drinking while trying to control the condition.
Minimize stress and cortisol levels
Chronic stress can lead to an increase in cortisol levels. High cortisol levels can worsen the symptoms of hypogonadism and disrupt the production of sex hormones. Ensure you take steps like mindful meditation, breathing exercises, and adequate rest to keep your cortisol level in check.
Eat protein, fat, and carbs
A balanced diet is the key to getting the most out of your meals. Eat adequate amounts of protein, fat, and healthy carbs, as they all contribute to overall health and manage hypogonadism.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, estrogen can be effective in treating some types of female hypogonadism. The insufficient production of sex hormones primarily causes hypogonadism. These conditions, including Primary Ovarian Insufficiency, menopausal symptoms, and hypogonadotropic hypogonadism, can be alleviated by estrogen treatments.
Estrogen administration methods you can consider include oral tablets, transdermal patches, topical gels, and vaginal creams, rings, or tablets.
Reduced testosterone is a major contributor to hypogonadism, even in females. Therefore, raising your testosterone level is essential for dealing with the situation properly. To get a healthy testosterone level, you should consider lifestyle changes like exercising, dietary adjustments, weight management, optimized sleep, and stress management.
Take herbal supplements and avoid xenoestrogens and endocrine disruptors. You should also consider having a healthcare provider walk you on this journey. Lastly, you can consider hormone replacement therapy in an extreme situation.
While female hypogonadism cannot be cured in the traditional sense, it can be effectively managed with a combination of lifestyle changes and therapy. Its type and causes can better determine the approach to managing female hypogonadism.
Primary hypogonadism occurs when the ovaries are malfunctioning, mainly from underlying conditions like autoimmune diseases. This is more difficult to manage, but you can manage the symptoms of primary hypogonadism.
Secondary hypogonadism is easier to manage or even cure because it comes mainly from functional and structural causes like stress and pituitary rumors. All you need to do is sort out the underlying conditions, and you are good to go.
Hey Vitamins For Woman, got a question. For the natural remedies part, how exactly does exercise help with hypogonadism? I get the sleep and stress part, but curious about the exercise bit.
Exercise boosts overall hormone levels, which can potentially improve conditions like hypogonadism. It’s all about getting your body moving and improving your health from the inside out.
but doesn’t like, too much exercise mess with your hormones too?
This articles great, finally something easy enough to understand. natural remedies section was super helpful, gonna try improving my sleep first, thanks for sharing!
If hypogonadism means I can play more video games for that quality sleep, sign me up for a diagnosis lol. Seriously though, good tips in here.
While I appreciate the emphasis on natural remedies, I’m questioning the efficacy without more scientific backing. How can we be sure these methods actually impact the hormone levels significantly?
Actually, there are studies indicating that lifestyle factors like diet, exercise, and stress management can have measurable impacts on hormone health. It’s not a cure-all but part of a holistic approach.
dude, the part about avoiding estrogen-like chemicals was eye-opening. gonna have to rethink my use of plastic water bottles. good read.
So according to this, breathing and not living in a bubble could cause hormone imbalances. Got it. But seriously, could’ve used more on how common these issues are without scaring us.
Informative article, though it seems to barely scratch the surface on such a complex topic. The part on supplements caught my eye; however, what about potential interactions with other medications?
idk about all this science stuff but happy to see exercises as a suggestion. Makes feel less guilty about my weekly yoga sessions lol.
I can’t help but notice a glaring lack of citations for claims made throughout the article. How can we trust these assertions without proper scientific references?
Love the section on eating protein, fats, and carbs. It’s all about balance. Great reminder that diet plays a crucial role in hormone health.