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Hypogonadotropic hypogonadism - Overview

Alternative Names

Gonadotropin deficiency; Secondary hypogonadism; Kallmann syndrome

Definition of Hypogonadotropic hypogonadism:

Hypogonadism is when the sex glands produce little or no hormones. In men, these glands (gonads) are the testes. In women, they are the ovaries.

Hypogonadotropic hypogonadism is a form of hypogonadism that is due to a problem with the pituitary or hypothalamus glands. These glands are found in or near the brain.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

Normally, the hypothalamus in the brain releases gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH). This hormone stimulates the pituitary gland to release other hormones, including follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH).

Normally, these hormones tell the female ovaries and male testes to release hormones that lead to normal sexual development in puberty.

Before puberty, any change in this hormone release chain causes a lack of sex hormones and prevents normal sexual maturity.
If the problem occurs after puberty, sexual development may be normal, but there may be symptoms of low sex hormones (such as symptoms of menopause in women and sexual dysfunction in men).

Kallmann syndrome is an inherited form of hypogonadotropic hypogonadism that can occur with a loss of smell.

Endocrine glands

The pituitary gland

Pituitary hormones

Reviewed last on: 7/26/2011
Nancy J. Rennert, MD, Chief of Endocrinology & Diabetes, Norwalk Hospital, Associate Clinical Professor of Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

References

Styne DM, Grumbach MM. Puberty: Ontogeny, neuroendocrinology, physiology, and disorders. In: Melmed S, Polonsky KS, Larsen PR, Kronenberg HM, eds. Williams Textbook of Endocrinology. 12th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier;2011:chap 25.

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