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Idiopathic Hypogonadotropic Hypogonadism

Meaning

Idiopathic Hypogonadotropic Hypogonadism (IHH) is a clinical condition defined by a primary deficiency in the secretion of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) from the hypothalamus, which subsequently impairs the pituitary’s release of luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). This central hormonal deficit prevents normal pubertal development and results in infertility, presenting as low sex steroid levels without an apparent structural or tumor-related cause. The diagnosis of ‘idiopathic’ is applied when all known causes of central hypogonadism have been clinically excluded.