Male Hypogonadism Symptoms and Its Effect on Fertility

Testosterone is a male hormone responsible for a man's sex drive, sperm production, fertility and more. The normal testosterone level for a man ranges from 300 ng/dL to 1,000 ng/dL. This is usually the highest in the morning. A condition wherein the body does not produce sufficient testosterone is known as hypogonadism. Hypogonadism may develop while a boy is a foetus in the mother's womb or when he is an adult.

Hypogonadism in Male - Symptoms

The signs and symptoms of hypogonadism vary depending on when the condition develops. Development of Hypogonadism in a Boy going through Puberty.

Hypogonadism often develops while the foetus is still developing. If this happens, the body may not produce enough testosterone for the development of external sex organs. The degree of hypogonadism is not the same in all foetuses. Thus, the symptoms may vary from one infant boy to another. Some of the common symptoms seen include:

Development of female genitals
Development of genitals that are not clearly male or female
Undeveloped male genitals

Development of Hypogonadism in a Boy going through Puberty

Hypogonadism can develop in teenage boys going through puberty. At this stage typically, boys see increased facial and body hair growth, a deepening of their voice and significant height gain. With this in mind, some of the common hypogonadism in male symptoms that may be seen include:

Impaired development of testicles and penis
Reduced muscle mass development
The voice does not deepen
Reduced growth of facial and body hair
Gynecomastia or the development of breast tissue
The arms and legs grow at a faster rate than the trunk. Thus, the limbs may look disproportionately long.

Development of Hypogonadism in Adulthood

Hypogonadism can develop in adult men as a result of an injury to the genitals or an infection. This can impair reproductive functioning and alter some of the man's physical features. The common signs and symptoms of hypogonadism that develops at this stage of a man's life include:

Reduced facial and body hair growth
Gynecomastia or development of breast tissue
Reduced muscle mass
Erectile dysfunction
Osteoporosis or reduced bone mass
Infertility

In some cases, hypogonadism can also trigger emotional and mental issues. These symptoms are caused by low testosterone levels and may be compared to the symptoms experienced by menopausal women. Some of the common mental and emotional symptoms caused by this condition include: