Vol 60, No 3 (2009)
Review paper
Submitted: 2013-02-15
Published online: 2009-04-27
Pathogenesis, evaluation and treatment of hypogonadism in men
Michał Rabijewski, Wojciech Zgliczyński
Endokrynol Pol 2009;60(3):222-233.
Vol 60, No 3 (2009)
Reviews — Postgraduate Education
Submitted: 2013-02-15
Published online: 2009-04-27
Abstract
Hypogonadism in men is defined as a complex of signs and symptoms due to testosterone deficiency or inappropriate production, which
occurs in about 1-2%. Symptoms of hypogonadism depend primarily on the age of the male patients at the time of development of the
hypogonadism (pre- or postpubertal). The dominant findings are: impaired puberty, decrease of virilization, infertility or decrease of
spermatogenesis, impotence and gynecomastia. Classically hipogonadism is divided into primary (hypergonadotropic) and secondary
(hypogonadotropic). The most common causes of primary hypogonadism is Klinefelter’s syndrome, while secondary - pituitary tumors.
"Peripheral" hypogonadism results from androgen receptor polymorphism. The role of therapy of hypogonadism is to restore or maintain
proper spermatogenesis as well as testosterone replacement therapy. Gonadotropin and testosterone therapy is available in treatment of
hypogonadism in men. The treatment strategy depends on the age of patient and the goals of therapy (restore of fertility and/or produce
and maintain of virilization). The gonadototropins and GnRH are useful in spermetogenesis stimulation. The testosterone replacement
therapy is efficacious and safe. Testosterone esters and gels are widely applied.
Abstract
Hypogonadism in men is defined as a complex of signs and symptoms due to testosterone deficiency or inappropriate production, which
occurs in about 1-2%. Symptoms of hypogonadism depend primarily on the age of the male patients at the time of development of the
hypogonadism (pre- or postpubertal). The dominant findings are: impaired puberty, decrease of virilization, infertility or decrease of
spermatogenesis, impotence and gynecomastia. Classically hipogonadism is divided into primary (hypergonadotropic) and secondary
(hypogonadotropic). The most common causes of primary hypogonadism is Klinefelter’s syndrome, while secondary - pituitary tumors.
"Peripheral" hypogonadism results from androgen receptor polymorphism. The role of therapy of hypogonadism is to restore or maintain
proper spermatogenesis as well as testosterone replacement therapy. Gonadotropin and testosterone therapy is available in treatment of
hypogonadism in men. The treatment strategy depends on the age of patient and the goals of therapy (restore of fertility and/or produce
and maintain of virilization). The gonadototropins and GnRH are useful in spermetogenesis stimulation. The testosterone replacement
therapy is efficacious and safe. Testosterone esters and gels are widely applied.
Keywords
testosterone; testis; hypophysis; hypogonadism
Title
Pathogenesis, evaluation and treatment of hypogonadism in men
Journal
Endokrynologia Polska
Issue
Vol 60, No 3 (2009)
Article type
Review paper
Pages
222-233
Published online
2009-04-27
Page views
768
Article views/downloads
21582
Bibliographic record
Endokrynol Pol 2009;60(3):222-233.
Keywords
testosterone
testis
hypophysis
hypogonadism
Authors
Michał Rabijewski
Wojciech Zgliczyński
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