Condition Lookup
Sub-Category:
Male Disorders
Number of Conditions: 4
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.