When your body doesn’t make enough testosterone, it’s often blamed on the testes—but sometimes the problem starts higher up, in the hypothalamus, a small region in the brain that controls hormone signals. Also known as central hypogonadism, this condition is called secondary hypogonadism, a hormonal disorder where the brain fails to tell the testes to produce testosterone.
Unlike primary hypogonadism, where the testes themselves are damaged, secondary hypogonadism means the signal is broken. The hypothalamus, the brain’s hormone command center doesn’t release enough GnRH, or the pituitary gland, the master gland that responds to hypothalamus signals doesn’t send out enough LH and FSH. Without those signals, testosterone drops. Common causes include obesity, chronic stress, certain medications, tumors, or even intense endurance training. It’s not rare—many men with low energy, low libido, or unexplained weight gain have this issue and don’t know it.
Symptoms are subtle at first: fatigue, mood swings, reduced muscle mass, or trouble getting or keeping an erection. Over time, you might notice less body hair, breast enlargement, or even bone thinning. Blood tests can confirm low testosterone, but the real clue is whether LH and FSH are low too—if they are, it’s secondary. Treatment often starts with lifestyle changes: losing weight, cutting alcohol, managing stress. If that’s not enough, doctors may prescribe testosterone replacement, or in some cases, medications that stimulate the pituitary to wake up and send the right signals again.
You’ll find real comparisons here—not just theory. We’ve gathered guides on how different treatments stack up against each other, what side effects to watch for, and which options work best for specific cases. Whether you’re exploring hormone therapy, dealing with drug-induced low T, or trying to understand why your doctor ordered a brain scan, the posts below give you clear, no-fluff answers based on actual patient experiences and clinical data.
