Hypogonadism Follow-up

  • Author: Stephen Kemp, MD, PhD; Chief Editor: Bruce Buehler, MD   more...
 
Updated: Apr 21, 2010
 

Further Outpatient Care

Reevaluate patients with hypogonadism receiving hormone replacement therapy every 6-12 months.

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Complications

In men, complications of untreated hypogonadism include loss of libido, failure to achieve physical strength, the social implications of failing to go through puberty with peers (if hypogonadism occurs before puberty), and osteoporosis. In addition, if hypogonadism occurs before epiphyseal closure, the result is usually tall stature with a eunuchoid body habitus. Even treated males with primary hypogonadism are infertile. However, men who have hypogonadism due to hypothalamic or pituitary dysfunction can potentially become fertile with administration of gonadotropins.

In women with hypogonadism, complications include the social implication of failing to go through puberty with peers (if hypogonadism occurs before puberty). An additional concern for untreated women is osteoporosis, which can be avoided with estrogen replacement. Women who have hypogonadism because of hypothalamic or pituitary dysfunction can potentially become fertile with administration of gonadotropins. Women with primary hypogonadism are infertile; however, with in vitro fertilization using a donor ovum, these women can carry an infant to term.

Osteoporosis has an earlier onset in individuals with hypogonadism; hence, bone mineral density should be compared with age-matched normative standards, and followed longitudinally. Prescribe treatment using appropriate therapeutic interventions.

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Prognosis

Men and women with hypogonadism can lead a normal life with hormone replacement.

Approximately 20-25% of females with Turner syndrome have some spontaneous puberty. Spontaneous estrogenization occurs more commonly in women with mosaic karyotypes and those karyotypes with an abnormal second X chromosome, such as 46,XXiq or 46,XXip. Reports exist of women with mosaic Turner syndrome becoming pregnant without in vitro fertilization.

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Patient Education

For excellent patient education resources, visit eMedicine's Men's Health Center and Women's Health Center. Also, see eMedicine's patient education articles Impotence/Erectile Dysfunction and Amenorrhea.

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Contributor Information and Disclosures
Author

Stephen Kemp, MD, PhD  Professor, Department of Pediatrics, Section of Pediatric Endocrinology, University of Arkansas and Arkansas Children's Hospital

Stephen Kemp, MD, PhD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Pediatrics, American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists, American Pediatric Society, Endocrine Society, Phi Beta Kappa, Southern Medical Association, and Southern Society for Pediatric Research

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Specialty Editor Board

Phyllis W Speiser, MD  Chief, Division of Pediatric Endocrinology, The Children's Hospital, North Shore LIJ Health System; Professor of Pediatrics, New York University School of Medicine

Phyllis W Speiser, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists, Endocrine Society, Lawson-Wilkins Pediatric Endocrine Society, and Society for Pediatric Research

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Mary L Windle, PharmD  Adjunct Associate Professor, University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Pharmacy; Pharmacy Editor, eMedicine

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Barry B Bercu, MD  Professor, Departments of Pediatrics, Molecular Pharmacology and Physiology, University of South Florida College of Medicine, All Children's Hospital

Barry B Bercu, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Pediatrics, American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists, American Federation for Clinical Research, American Medical Association, American Pediatric Society, Association of Clinical Scientists, Endocrine Society, Florida Medical Association, Lawson-Wilkins Pediatric Endocrine Society, Pituitary Society, Society for Pediatric Research, Society for the Study of Reproduction, and Southern Society for Pediatric Research

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Merrily P M Poth, MD  Professor, Department of Pediatrics and Neuroscience, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences

Merrily P M Poth, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Pediatrics, Endocrine Society, and Lawson-Wilkins Pediatric Endocrine Society

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Bruce Buehler, MD  Professor, Department of Pediatrics and Genetics, Director RSA, University of Nebraska Medical Center

Bruce Buehler, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy for Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine, American Academy of Pediatrics, American Association on Mental Retardation, American College of Medical Genetics, American College of Physician Executives, American Medical Association, and Nebraska Medical Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

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Types of idiopathic hypogonadotropic hypogonadism.
 
 
 
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