What is the Origin of Pituitary Hypogonadism?

The term is a precise clinical diagnosis combining "pituitary," indicating the site of the primary dysfunction, with "hypogonadism," meaning deficient function of the gonads. Its classification as "secondary" distinguishes it from primary hypogonadism, where the defect lies in the gonads themselves.

What is the Mechanism of Pituitary Hypogonadism?

The mechanism involves a lack of appropriate stimulation from the pituitary to the testes or ovaries. The pituitary's gonadotropins, LH and FSH, are essential for stimulating gonadal steroidogenesis and gamete production. When pituitary function is compromised, often due to adenomas, trauma, or chronic stress, the signal to the gonads is absent or diminished, leading to a functional deficiency of the sex hormones and their associated clinical symptoms.

Pituitary Hypogonadism ∞ Area

Pituitary Hypogonadism

Meaning

Pituitary Hypogonadism, also clinically termed Secondary Hypogonadism, is an endocrine disorder characterized by inadequate secretion of the gonadotropins, Luteinizing Hormone (LH) and Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH), from the anterior pituitary gland. This deficiency subsequently leads to decreased production of sex steroids, such as testosterone and estrogen, by the gonads. The condition reflects a failure at the level of the pituitary, which is a critical component of the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Gonadal (HPG) axis.