What is it?
It is a condition in which the male hormone testosterone is not produced at levels that are necessary to meet the body’s demand for appropriate function. This is a medical condition that is widely underdiagnosed.

Why is this condition underdiagnosed?
This condition is underdiagnosed because of the following frank reasons:

• Men do not like to go to the physician
• Men do not like to complain about their symptoms to their primary physician
• Most of the symptoms associated with this condition are very vague to be recognized by the individual as a “medical condition”
• Most men are discreet about their lack of sexual function or performance

What are the symptoms associated with it?
Most are common and vague such as:

• Low energy
• Poor moods
• Poor Sleep
• Lack of concentration
• Insufficient memory
• Multiple musculoskeletal pain
• Easy Musculoskeletal Injuries
• Weight/fat gain
• Inability to tone or maintain muscle mass
• Premature ejaculation
• Insufficient erection quality
• Low sex drive

Why is it so common?
The reasoning is still debated, but we know that the percentage of men with hypogonadism in this decade is significantly higher than those from the 2000-2010 decade which was more than the 1990-2000 decade, and so on.

What causes it?
Primary Hypogonadism is a dysfunction which has the testicle as the target of low testosterone production

Secondary Hypogonadism is a dysfunction which has the Brain to Testicle communication system as the target of the low testosterone production

Actual reasons can be either of the following triggors:

• Genetic
• Embryonic
• Physiological
• Trauma
• Medications
• Obesity
• Substance use history
• Environmental toxins
• Radiation
• Chemical exposure
• Depression
• Metabolic syndrome
• Other medical conditions
• Etc…

How can it be treated?
There are many different options for treatment that must be Individualized to each person by a physician with appropriate experience with Hypogonadism patients and knowledge.

Testosterone Hormone Therapy is the mainstay of therapy.

There are multiple delivery forms of Testosterone therapy that range from creams, patches, Injections and or longer lasting pellets.

Appropriate therapy must be tailor made to the individual by a specialist physician.

Is it related to age?
No. The condition Hypogonadism is not age related. It can happen at any age.

Unfortunately, most men do not report to the appropriate physician early enough, and they “roughen” through the unrecognized symptoms for many years.

Is it bad for your health?
Most people think that hypogonadism (low Testosterone levels) are only affecting their sex life or muscle mass. However, there are many adverse co-morbidities (medical issues) that can arise with low levels of testosterone in our bodies. This includes some of the below conditions:

• Heart disease that can ultimately lead to early death
• Elevating blood pressure
• Elevating cholesterol
• Elevating sugars leading to diabetes
• Cancers
• Depression
• Obesity
• Early dementia
• Lung diseases
• Mental health disorders
• Hormone health dysfunctions