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Testicular failure - Overview

Alternative Names

Primary hypogonadism - male

Definition of Testicular failure:

Testicular failure is the inability of the testicles to produce sperm or male hormones.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

Testicular failure is uncommon. Causes include:

Certain drugs, including glucocorticoids, ketoconazole, and opioids
Chromosome problems
Diseases that affect the testicle, including mumps, orchitis, and testicular cancer
Injury to the testicles
Testicular torsion

The following things increase the risk for testicular failure:

Activities that may cause constant, low-level injury to the scrotum, such as riding a motorcycle
Frequent and heavy use of marijuana
Undescended testicles at birth

Endocrine glands

Male reproductive anatomy

Reviewed last on: 4/26/2007
Robert Hurd, MD, Professor of Endocrinology, Department of Biology, Xavier University, Cincinnati, OH. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

References

Bhasin S, Cunningham GR, Hayes FJ, et al. Testosterone therapy in adult men with androgen deficiency syndromes: an Endocrine Society clinical practice guideline. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2006 Jun;91(6):1995-2010.

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