Epidemiology of Male Hypogonadism

Abstract

The epidemiology of male hypogonadism has been understudied. Of the known causes of endogenous androgen deficiency, only Klinefelter syndrome is common with a likely population prevalence of greater than 5:10,000 men (possibly as high as 10-25:10,000). Mild traumatic injury might also be a common cause of androgen deficiency (prevalence 5-10:10,000 men), but large, long-term studies must be completed to confirm this prevalence estimation that might be too high. The classic causes of male androgen deficiency-hyperprolactinemia, pituitary macroadenoma, endogenous Cushing syndrome, and iron overload syndrome-are rare (prevalence < 10,000 men).

Keywords: Androgen deficiency; Epidemiology; Incidence rate; Male hypogonadism; Prevalence.