Condition Lookup

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)

Specialty: Diabetes and Endocrinology

Category: Reproductive Endocrinology

Symptoms:
irregular menstrual cycles; excessive hair growth (hirsutism); acne; weight gain; thinning hair or hair loss; infertility; darkened skin patches (acanthosis nigricans)

Root Cause:
Hormonal imbalance characterized by excess androgen production and ovulatory dysfunction; linked to insulin resistance.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Clinical history, physical examination, blood tests (e.g., testosterone, luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), fasting insulin), pelvic ultrasound to detect ovarian cysts.

Treatment:
Lifestyle modifications (diet and exercise), hormonal birth control to regulate cycles, fertility treatments if conception is desired, and management of metabolic symptoms.

Medications:
Oral contraceptives (estrogen-progestin combinations), anti-androgens like spironolactone to reduce excessive hair growth, metformin (a biguanide) to improve insulin sensitivity, and clomiphene citrate or letrozole (ovulation inducers) for fertility.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Affects approximately 10% of women of reproductive age globally.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Family history of PCOS or diabetes, obesity, sedentary lifestyle.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Lifelong management of symptoms; improves with treatment and lifestyle changes. Fertility can often be restored with appropriate interventions.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Infertility, type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, cardiovascular disease, endometrial cancer.

Premature Ovarian Insufficiency (POI)

Specialty: Diabetes and Endocrinology

Category: Reproductive Endocrinology

Sub-category: Female Disorders

Symptoms:
irregular or missed periods; hot flashes; night sweats; vaginal dryness; infertility; mood changes; fatigue

Root Cause:
Loss of normal ovarian function before age 40 due to genetic factors, autoimmune disorders, or unknown causes.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Blood tests (e.g., FSH, estradiol, anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH)), pelvic ultrasound, and karyotype analysis for genetic evaluation.

Treatment:
Hormone replacement therapy (HRT), fertility preservation techniques, and emotional support or counseling.

Medications:
Hormone replacement therapy (e.g., estradiol and progestin combinations) to manage symptoms and reduce risks of osteoporosis, calcium, and vitamin D supplements.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Affects approximately 1% of women under age 40.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Family history of POI, autoimmune diseases, chemotherapy, or radiation therapy.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Hormonal and symptom management improve quality of life, but fertility is often significantly reduced.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Osteoporosis, cardiovascular disease, infertility, and psychological distress.

Hyperandrogenism

Specialty: Diabetes and Endocrinology

Category: Reproductive Endocrinology

Sub-category: Female Disorders

Symptoms:
excessive hair growth (hirsutism); acne; male-pattern baldness; deepening of voice; irregular periods; infertility

Root Cause:
Elevated levels of androgens (male hormones) due to conditions such as PCOS, adrenal hyperplasia, or androgen-secreting tumors.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Blood tests for androgen levels (testosterone, DHEAS), imaging studies (ultrasound or CT for tumors), and clinical assessment.

Treatment:
Addressing the underlying cause (e.g., treating PCOS), anti-androgen medications, and cosmetic procedures for symptom management.

Medications:
Spironolactone (anti-androgen), oral contraceptives (estrogen-progestin combinations), flutamide or finasteride (androgen receptor blockers).

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Common among women with PCOS; prevalence varies based on the underlying condition.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
PCOS, adrenal or ovarian tumors, certain medications.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Improves with treatment of the underlying cause; symptoms may persist without ongoing management.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Infertility, psychological distress, and metabolic issues depending on the underlying condition.

Menstrual Irregularities (Endocrine-Related)

Specialty: Diabetes and Endocrinology

Category: Reproductive Endocrinology

Sub-category: Female Disorders

Symptoms:
irregular cycles; heavy bleeding (menorrhagia); absence of periods (amenorrhea); painful periods (dysmenorrhea); spotting between cycles

Root Cause:
Hormonal imbalances due to conditions such as PCOS, hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, or hyperprolactinemia.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Clinical history, blood tests for hormone levels (e.g., LH, FSH, TSH, prolactin), and pelvic ultrasound.

Treatment:
Treatment of underlying hormonal conditions, hormonal therapy to regulate cycles, and lifestyle modifications.

Medications:
Oral contraceptives to regulate cycles, progestins to manage heavy bleeding, levothyroxine for hypothyroidism, or dopamine agonists for hyperprolactinemia.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Varies widely depending on the underlying condition; common in women of reproductive age.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Hormonal disorders, obesity, stress, family history.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Treatable in most cases with hormonal or medical interventions; prognosis depends on the underlying cause.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Infertility, anemia, endometrial hyperplasia, or psychological distress.

Hypogonadism (Primary and Secondary)

Specialty: Diabetes and Endocrinology

Category: Reproductive Endocrinology

Sub-category: Male Disorders

Symptoms:
decreased libido; erectile dysfunction; fatigue; loss of muscle mass; increased body fat; reduced beard and body hair growth; infertility; depression; osteoporosis

Root Cause:
Insufficient production of testosterone or sperm due to testicular dysfunction (primary hypogonadism) or hypothalamic/pituitary dysfunction (secondary hypogonadism).

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Blood tests for testosterone levels, LH, FSH, prolactin, and sometimes genetic testing or imaging of the pituitary gland or testes.

Treatment:
Testosterone replacement therapy (TRT), gonadotropin therapy for fertility, or addressing underlying causes in secondary hypogonadism.

Medications:
Testosterone can be prescribed as intramuscular injections (e.g., testosterone enanthate or cypionate ), topical gels (e.g., AndroGel ), patches, or oral capsules . Clomiphene citrate (a selective estrogen receptor modulator) or human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) may be used for fertility.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Estimated to affect 4–5 million men in the US; prevalence increases with age.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Aging, testicular injury, chemotherapy, radiation, pituitary disorders, genetic conditions (e.g., Klinefelter Syndrome), obesity, and chronic illnesses.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Good with appropriate management; untreated cases may lead to complications like osteoporosis and cardiovascular disease.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Infertility, decreased bone density, cardiovascular risk, mood disorders.

Klinefelter Syndrome

Specialty: Diabetes and Endocrinology

Category: Reproductive Endocrinology

Sub-category: Male Disorders

Symptoms:
small testes; low testosterone levels; gynecomastia; infertility; reduced muscle mass; tall stature; learning difficulties; reduced facial and body hair

Root Cause:
A genetic condition caused by an extra X chromosome (47,XXY), leading to testicular dysfunction and reduced testosterone production.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Karyotype analysis, hormone levels (low testosterone, high LH, and FSH), and semen analysis.

Treatment:
Testosterone replacement therapy for hypogonadism, fertility counseling (testicular sperm extraction may be possible), and educational/psychological support.

Medications:
Testosterone replacement therapy using injections, gels, or patches. No cure for the chromosomal abnormality itself.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Affects approximately 1 in 500 to 1 in 1,000 live male births.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Genetic condition; not inherited but occurs as a random chromosomal error.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
With treatment, patients can manage symptoms; fertility is often impaired but assisted reproductive technologies may help.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Osteoporosis, cardiovascular disease, breast cancer, psychological issues.

Gynecomastia

Specialty: Diabetes and Endocrinology

Category: Reproductive Endocrinology

Sub-category: Male Disorders

Symptoms:
breast enlargement; tenderness in breast tissue; firm glandular tissue under the nipple

Root Cause:
Imbalance between estrogen and testosterone levels; may be physiological, medication-induced, or associated with underlying conditions.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Physical examination, hormone level tests (testosterone, estrogen, LH, FSH, prolactin), and imaging (ultrasound or mammography).

Treatment:
Treat underlying cause, discontinue causative drugs, hormone therapy, or surgical reduction in severe cases.

Medications:
Tamoxifen or raloxifene (selective estrogen receptor modulators) can reduce breast tissue. Aromatase inhibitors (e.g., anastrozole ) may also be used.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Common in adolescent boys (up to 70% experience temporary gynecomastia), older men, and newborns.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Obesity, aging, certain medications (e.g., spironolactone, anabolic steroids), liver or kidney disease, hyperthyroidism.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Often resolves spontaneously in adolescents; treatable with medication or surgery in persistent cases.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Psychological distress, rarely breast cancer.

Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome (AIS)

Specialty: Diabetes and Endocrinology

Category: Reproductive Endocrinology

Sub-category: Male Disorders

Symptoms:
female external genitalia in complete ais; partial masculinization in partial ais; undescended testes; infertility

Root Cause:
Genetic mutation in the androgen receptor gene leading to partial or complete inability of cells to respond to androgens.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Karyotype analysis (46,XY), hormone tests (elevated testosterone, LH), genetic testing for androgen receptor mutations.

Treatment:
Hormone therapy (estrogen replacement after gonadectomy in complete AIS), surgical correction if needed, and psychological support.

Medications:
Estrogen therapy post-gonadectomy; no medications directly address androgen insensitivity.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Rare, affecting 1 in 20,000–64,000 births.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
X-linked recessive genetic mutation; occurs spontaneously or inherited.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
With proper management, individuals can live healthy lives, though infertility is typical.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Gonadal tumors, psychological challenges related to gender identity, infertility.

Infertility (Endocrine Causes)

Specialty: Diabetes and Endocrinology

Category: Reproductive Endocrinology

Sub-category: Other Reproductive Endocrine Conditions

Symptoms:
irregular menstrual cycles; absent ovulation; decreased libido; abnormal hormone levels; difficulty conceiving after one year of unprotected intercourse

Root Cause:
Hormonal imbalances affecting ovulation, sperm production, or reproductive organ function; may involve conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), thyroid disorders, or hyperprolactinemia.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Hormonal blood tests (FSH, LH, estradiol, testosterone, TSH, prolactin), ultrasound to assess ovaries and uterus, semen analysis, and evaluation of medical and reproductive history.

Treatment:
Hormonal therapies (e.g., clomiphene citrate, gonadotropins), assisted reproductive technologies (IVF, IUI), surgery for anatomical issues, or treatment of underlying endocrine disorders (e.g., thyroid replacement or prolactin inhibitors).

Medications:
Clomiphene citrate (a selective estrogen receptor modulator), gonadotropins (FSH, LH), letrozole (an aromatase inhibitor), bromocriptine or cabergoline (dopamine agonists for hyperprolactinemia), levothyroxine (for hypothyroidism), metformin (to manage insulin resistance in PCOS).

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Affects approximately 10-15% of couples worldwide; endocrine causes are responsible for 30-40% of infertility cases.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Family history of endocrine disorders, obesity, advanced maternal age, lifestyle factors (smoking, excessive alcohol), chronic stress.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Highly variable depending on the underlying cause; many cases can be treated effectively with medications or assisted reproductive technologies.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Psychological stress, strain on relationships, risk of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) from fertility treatments, multiple pregnancies with assisted reproductive techniques.