Hypogonadotropic Hypogonadism and Hypothalamic Amenorrhea: Diagnosis and Treatment

How do doctors treat hypogonadotropic hypogonadism?

Doctors treat hypogonadotropic hypogonadism by managing the underlying condition or with hormone replacement therapy (the use of medications to replace hormones that the patient is not making). In males, this includes testosterone replacement therapy (medication to restore testosterone levels). This may be given as an injection, gel, patch or buccal tablet. In females, this includes estrogen replacement therapy (medication to restore estrogen levels), and may be given as an oral pill, patch, or vaginal ring. Both males and females may also receive hormone injections, such as gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) or human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG), to induce fertility.

Strategies for sex hormone replacement therapy:

• Oral pill
• Transdermal patch (a sticky patch that contains testosterone or estrogen that is placed on the skin, like a Band-Aid®)
• Intramuscular injections (injections given into a muscle)
• Topical gels (gels applied to the skin)
• Buccal tablets (a tablet that dissolves when placed between the gums and the lining of the cheek)
• Vaginal ring (a ring that is inserted into the vagina and releases estrogen with or without a progestin)

How do doctors treat hypothalamic amenorrhea?

Your doctor may ask your child to change their daily habits, such as insufficient food intake or excessive exercise, by increasing caloric intake or decreasing exercise activity or both. However, if this does not improve their condition, the doctor may prescribe hormonal replacement therapy.

Rev. 3/2022. Mass General for Children and Massachusetts General Hospital do not endorse any of the brands listed on this handout. This handout is intended to provide health information so that you can be better informed. It is not a substitute for medical advice and should not be used to treatment of any medical conditions.