Symptoms

Hypogonadism can begin during fetal development, before puberty or during adulthood. Signs and symptoms depend on when the condition develops.

Fetal development

If the body doesn't produce enough testosterone during fetal development, the result may be impaired growth of the external sex organs. Depending on when hypogonadism develops and how much testosterone is present, a child who is genetically male may be born with:

• Female genitals
• Genitals that are neither clearly male nor clearly female (ambiguous genitals)
• Underdeveloped male genitals

Puberty

Male hypogonadism can delay puberty or cause incomplete or lack of normal development. It can hamper:

• Development of muscle mass
• Voice deepening
• Growth of body and facial hair
• Growth of the penis and testicles

And it can cause:

• Excessive growth of the arms and legs in relation to the trunk of the body
• Development of breast tissue (gynecomastia)

Adulthood

In adult males, hypogonadism can alter certain masculine physical characteristics and impair normal reproductive function. Early signs and symptoms might include:

• Decreased sex drive
• Decreased energy
• Depression

Over time, men with hypogonadism can develop:

• Erectile dysfunction
• Infertility
• Decrease in hair growth on the face and body
• Decrease in muscle mass
• Development of breast tissue (gynecomastia)
• Loss of bone mass (osteoporosis)

Severe hypogonadism can also cause mental and emotional changes. As testosterone decreases, some men have symptoms similar to those of menopause in women. These can include:

• Difficulty concentrating
• Hot flashes

When to seek help

See your health care provider if you have symptoms of male hypogonadism. Finding the cause of hypogonadism is an important first step to getting appropriate treatment.