Symptoms and diagnosis

Hypogonadism can occur before birth (at the fetal level), during puberty or in adulthood. Symptoms vary depending on the time of onset.

Fetal development

Insufficient testosterone production during fetal development can compromise the proper formation of the external and / or internal genitalia (in particular the differentiation to male genitalia, compared to female genitalia). Depending on when hypogonadism originates and based on testosterone levels , a genetically male baby can be born with:

• Underdeveloped male genitalia

• Female genitals

• Genital ambiguous : genitalia that are neither clearly male nor female

Puberty

Hypogonadism can delay puberty or impair proper development. It can cause:

• Failure to lower the timbre of the voice

• Reduced or no growth of body hair

• Insufficient growth of the penis and testicles

• Reduced muscle mass development

• Disproportionate growth of the limbs (arms and legs) compared to the torso

• Breast tissue growth (gynecomastia)

Adulthood

In adult males, hypogonadism can change some male-specific physical characteristics and decrease fertility. Symptoms can include:

• Erectile dysfunction

• Poor sexual desire

• Infertility

• Reduction of beard and body hair growth

• Reduction of muscle mass

• Loss of bone tissue (osteoporosis)

• Breast tissue development (gynecomastia)

• Difficulty concentrating

• Fatigue