title: Central causes of hypogonadism--functional and organic.
abstract: Whether caused by environmental factors, lesions, genetic mutations, drug interactions, or unknown origins, the path of the central causes of hypogonadism frequently leads back to the GnRH pulse generator. In some cases, the cause can be unequivocally traced to a single factor, such as some of the congenital syndromes previously described. In most instances, however, hypogonadism is occult or functional. Because of the wide spectrum and complexity of underlying causes, a definitive diagnosis, especially in functional causes of the disorder, is not always attainable.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Columbia College of Physicians and Surgeons, PH 16-127, 622 West 168th Street, New York, NY 10032, USA. mpw1@columbia.edu
authors.forename: Michelle P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Warren
authors.forename: Caroline
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Vu
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D006066:Gonads / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D007006:Hypogonadism / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D007030:Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male