The good news is that most forms of Hypogonadism are treatable!
What treatment options are available for Hypogonadism?
Menopausal women can effectively control their symptoms using natural progesterone, testosterone and estrogen either alone or in combination depending upon individual circumstances.
It is well established that as women transition the menopause progesterone levels decline to zero and estrogen production reduces but does not cease. This leads to an imbalance resulting in what is termed estrogen dominance.
Estrogen dominance is typified by symptoms including sleep disturbances, poor bladder control, mood swings irritability, weight gain, lack of energy, malaise, forgetfulness, cloudy thoughts, anxiety or panic attacks, reduced sexual motivation, sore bones and general aches and pains. Not everyone will experience all of these symptoms; however, even one or two can be difficult to cope with if not addressed adequately. Correcting any imbalance between the hormones estrogen and progesterone, especially the lack of progesterone, will usually rid an individual of many of these symptoms within a few months. ProFeme is one such a pharmaceutical grade and clinically trialed progesterone cream.
The use of a progesterone cream safely and effectively reduces the menopausal symptoms
by replacing the hormone of greatest deficiency and opposing estrogen dominance. Let’s take ProFeme as an example.
ProFeme achieves a steady state of hormone balance after 6 to 8 weeks of regular use. Women who take synthetic progesterone pills (eg. Provera®) often develop unpleasant side effects, such as: weight gain; severe depression, tension, and anxiety and glucose intolerance.
Women can use testosterone to treat poor libido and unexplained fatigue. This is a common off-label practice among doctors in the USA and parts of Europe, where no testosterone product is officially approved for use by women. The situation in Australia is distinctly different. Lawley Pharmaceuticals produce a 1% testosterone cream (ANDRO-FEME®), tailored especially for women. AndroFeme 1% testosterone cream for women is by far the most user friendly testosterone treatment option for use in women because it involves no surgery, no pain or visible patches and is applied by the woman in the privacy of her own home, and the dose is accurately controlled and adjustable.
Natural estrogen (estradiol) in the form of a gel, transdermal patch or implant is more beneficial than tableted dose forms of synthetic estrogens for short-term management of hot flashes.
Adult men with XYY, XXY and many other hypogonadal conditions can improve their sexual function with testosterone cream, patches, or injections. Oral testosterone is synthetic, not as effective and is dangerous to the liver. In recent years treatment for hypogonadal males has shifted from injectable forms of testosterone to topical application to the body (for testosterone patches and gels) or directly to the scrotum for testosterone creams.
The use of natural testosterone combats their:
Changes in mood (fatigue, depression, anger)
Decreased body hair (feminization)
Decreased bone mineral density and possible resulting osteoporosis
Decreased lean body mass and muscle strength
Decreased libido and erectile quality
Increased abdominal fat
Rudimentary breast development (man boobs or gynecomastia)
Low or zero sperm in the semen (azoospermia)
AndroForte 5% is one such topical testosterone cream. produced in Australia by Lawley Pharmaceuticals produce a 5% testosterone cream. It is applied scrotally once daily. It usually takes two weeks for the testosterone levels to stabilize and a significant improvement in symptoms is usually achieved within a month of commencing treatment.
Both sexes have difficulty developing or maintaining their secondary sexual characteristics if they do not have adequate gonadal hormones. Delayed puberty means males and females will have difficulty fitting in with their peers because they look immature and childish.
Adolescents with hypogonadism may benefit from counseling and a peer support group. Adult men and women with sexual dysfunction may benefit from psychotherapy, sex therapy, and fertility treatments.
Hypogonadal girls who are missing enough estrogen or progesterone are often prescribed hormone supplements. Normally these supplements are orally administered or come in the form of skin patches or injections. It’s important to understand that both estrogen and Progesterone need to be taken together as they balance each other. Too much estrogen can lead to uterus lining build up (endometrial hyperplasia). This is very dangerous as it can lead to cancer of the uterus.
Estrogen hormone replacement therapy is needed until age 50, an age where most women start to go through menopause. Hormone imbalance also has an effect on bone density so taking this hormone replacement is vitally important for the health of the bones and to prevent fractures.
There are no cures for Kallman and Turner syndrome as they are established by chromosomal and genetic abnormalities. Hormone therapy just helps to control and manage symptoms.
Sometimes there are other causes of hypogonadism. Your doctor needs to treat the underlying condition, for example, diabetes, drug abuse, or sickle cell anemia. Treatment options are varied and are tailored to individual needs and underlying causes.
For example:
A dieter with anorexia nervosa needs multifaceted treatment at an eating disorders clinic with an endocrinologist, psychologist, and nurse specialist.
If a tumor is causing your hypogonadism, you will need surgery and/or chemotherapy to remove it.
To find out about the pros and cons of natural hormone treatments versus synthetics, side effects of using testosterone replacement and/or progesterone therapy please download this free booklet on Hypogonadism in adults and children. Also included is a summary about the hormones testosterone and progesterone and why your body needs them.
Understand more on Hypogonadism:
What are the symptoms of hypogonadism?
The information in this article has been taken with permission from the official Lawley booklet on Understanding Hypogonadism.