Testicular FailureSymptoms, Doctors, Treatments, Advances & More
Learn About Testicular Failure
Male hypogonadism occurs when the testicles cannot produce or produce less sperm or male hormones, such as testosterone.
Primary hypogonadism - male; Testicular hypofunction
Causes of male hypogonadism include:
- Certain medicines, including glucocorticoids, ketoconazole, chemotherapy, and opioid pain medicines
- Diseases that affect the testicle, including hemochromatosis, mumps, orchitis, testicular cancer, testicular torsion, and varicocele
- Injury or trauma to the testicles
- Obesity
- Genetic diseases, such as Klinefelter syndrome or Prader-Willi syndrome
- Other diseases, such as cystic fibrosis
The following can increase the risk of male hypogonadism:
- Activities that cause constant, low-level injury to the scrotum, such as riding a motorcycle or bicycle
- Frequent or heavy use of marijuana
- Undescended testicles at birth
Symptoms depend on the age when male hypogonadism develops, either before or after puberty.
Symptoms may include:
- Enlarged breasts (gynecomastia)
- Infertility
- Less height increase than expected
- Loss of muscle mass
- Lack of sex drive (libido)
- Loss of armpit and pubic hair
- Slow development or lack of secondary male sex characteristics (hair growth, scrotum enlargement, penis enlargement, voice changes)
Men may also notice they do not need to shave as often.
Male hormone supplements may treat some forms of hypogonadism. This treatment is called testosterone replacement therapy (TRT). TRT can be given as a gel, patch, injection, or implant.
Avoiding the medicine or activity that is causing the problem may bring testicle function back to normal.
Robert Brannigan is a Urologist practicing medicine in Chicago, Illinois. Dr. Brannigan is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Testicular Failure. He is also highly rated in 19 other conditions, according to our data. His clinical expertise encompasses Low Testosterone, Infertility, Testicular Failure, Vasectomy, and Orchiectomy. Dr. Brannigan is board certified in American Board Of Urology - Urology (Certified). Dr. Brannigan is currently accepting new patients.
Miriam Hospital
Martin Miner is a primary care provider, practicing in Family Medicine in Providence, Rhode Island. Dr. Miner is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Testicular Failure. He is also highly rated in 10 other conditions, according to our data. His clinical expertise encompasses Testicular Failure, Hypogonadism, Eunuchoidism Familial Hypogonadotropic, Male Pseudohermaphroditism with Gynecomastia, and Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT).
Nelson Bennett is a Urologist practicing medicine in Chicago, Illinois. Dr. Bennett is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Testicular Failure. He is also highly rated in 13 other conditions, according to our data. His clinical expertise encompasses Testicular Failure, Peyronie Disease, Eunuchoidism Familial Hypogonadotropic, Vasectomy, and Prostatectomy. Dr. Bennett is board certified in American Board Of Urology - Urology (Certified). Dr. Bennett is currently accepting new patients.
Many forms of male hypogonadism cannot be reversed. TRT can help reverse symptoms, although it may not restore fertility.
Men who are having chemotherapy that can cause hypogonadism should discuss freezing sperm samples before starting treatment.
Male hypogonadism that begins before puberty will stop normal body growth. It can prevent adult male characteristics (such as deep voice and beard) from developing. This can be treated with TRT.
Men who take TRT need to be carefully monitored by their provider. TRT may cause the following:
- Enlarged prostate, leading to difficulty urinating
- Blood clots
- Changes in sleep and mood
- Changes in good cholesterol (HDL)
- Blood becomes too thick (polycythemia)
Contact your provider if you have symptoms of hypogonadism.
Also, contact your provider if you're on TRT and you think you're having side effects from the treatment.
Avoid higher-risk activities if possible.
Remain active and prevent weight gain as you get older.
Summary: Late subclinical cardiovascular disease in testicular cancer survivors exposed to cisplatin-based chemotherapy and bone marrow transplant
Summary: The aim of this trial is to evaluate whether testosterone replacement results in greater improvement in pain perception, pain tolerance, sexual function, fatigue, and quality of life when compared with placebo in men with chronic spinal pain treated with opioids who have opioid-induced hypogonadism (low testosterone).
Published Date: April 24, 2025
Published By: Sandeep K. Dhaliwal, MD, board-certified in Diabetes, Endocrinology, and Metabolism, Springfield, VA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
Matsumoto AM, Anawalt BD. Testicular disorders. In: Melmed S, Auchus RJ, Goldfine AB, Rosen CJ, Kopp PA, eds. Williams Textbook of Endocrinology. 15th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2025:chap 17.
Schlegel PN. Clinical management of male infertility. In: Robertson RP, ed. DeGroot's Endocrinology. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 113.
Swerdloff RS, Wang C. The testis and male hypogonadism, infertility, and sexual dysfunction. In: Goldman L, Cooney KA, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 27th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:chap 216.
US Food and Drug Administration website. FDA drug safety communication: FDA cautions about using testosterone products for low testosterone due to aging; requires labeling change to inform of possible increased risk of heart attack and stroke with use. www.fda.gov/drugs/drug-alerts-and-statements/fda-issues-class-wide-labeling-changes-testosterone-products. Updated February 28, 2025. Accessed April 13, 2026.