Hypogonadism is a medical term which describes a diminished functional activity of the
gonads – the
testes and
ovaries in males and females, respectively – that may result in diminished
sex hormone biosynthesis. In layman's terms, it is sometimes called
"interrupted stage 1 puberty". Low
androgen (e.g.,
testosterone) levels are referred to as
hypoandrogenism and low
estrogen (e.g.,
estradiol) as
hypoestrogenism, and may occur as symptoms of hypogonadism in both sexes, but are generally only diagnosed in males and females respectively. Other hormones produced by the gonads which may be decreased by hypogonadism include
progesterone,
DHEA,
anti-Müllerian hormone,
activin, and
inhibin.
Spermatogenesis and
ovulation in males and females, respectively, may be impaired by hypogonadism, which, depending on the degree of severity, may result in partial or complete
infertility.