Preparing for an appointment

Although you're likely to start by seeing your family doctor or other care provider, you might be referred to someone who specializes in the hormone-producing glands (endocrinologist).

Here's some information to help you get ready for your appointment.

What you can do

Make a list of:

• Your symptoms, including any that may seem unrelated to the reason for which you scheduled the appointment, and when they began
• Key personal information, including any major stresses, recent life changes, and history of childhood illnesses or surgeries
• All medications, vitamins or other supplements you take, including doses
• Questions to ask your provider

For male hypogonadism, some questions to ask your provider include:

• What's the most likely cause of my symptoms?
• Are there other possible causes for my symptoms?
• What tests do I need?
• Is my condition likely temporary or chronic?
• What treatments are available?
• I have other health conditions. How can I best manage them together?
• Are there restrictions I need to follow?
• Are there brochures or other printed material I can have? What websites do you recommend?

Don't hesitate to ask other questions.

What to expect from your provider

Be prepared to answer questions about your condition, such as:

• Have your symptoms been continuous or occasional?
• How severe are your symptoms?
• What, if anything, seems to improve your symptoms?
• What, if anything, appears to worsen your symptoms?
• When did you begin puberty? Did it seem to be earlier or later than your peers?
• Did you have any growth problems as a child or adolescent?
• Have you injured your testicles?
• Did you have the mumps as a child or teen? Do you recall if you felt pain in your testicles while you had the mumps?
• Did you have undescended testicles as a baby?
• Did you have surgery for a groin hernia or genital surgery as a child?