The cause of hypogonadism is primary or central. In primary hypogonadism, the ovaries or testes themselves do not function properly. Causes of primary hypogonadism include:
Certain autoimmune disorders
Genetic and developmental disorders
Infection
Liver and kidney disease
Radiation
Surgery
The most common genetic disorders that cause primary hypogonadism are Turner syndrome (in women) and Klinefelter syndrome (in men).
In central hypogonadism, the centers in the brain that control the gonads (hypothalamus and pituitary) do not function properly. Causes of central hypogonadism include:
Bleeding
Certain medicines, including steroids and opiates
Genetic problems
Infections
Nutritional deficiencies
Iron excess (hemochromatosis)
Radiation
Rapid, significant weight loss
Surgery
Trauma
Tumors
A genetic cause of central hypogonadism that also takes away the sense of smell is Kallmann syndrome in males. The most common tumors affecting the pituitary are craniopharyngioma in children and prolactinoma in adults.