Hypogonadotropic hypogonadism = hypothalamic amenorrhea

I have had a few clients / members of my support group tell me recently that they didn’t find No Period. Now What? for a long time because their doctors diagnosed them with hypogonadotropic hypogonadism rather than hypothalamic amenorrhea. Learn more about how both of these conditions relate to female athlete triad and relative energy deficiency in sport in my substack post.

As far as I have been able to discern, it’s simply a different name for exactly the same condition.

I have mostly seen the condition referenced in the scientific literature as “idiopathic hypogonadotropic hypogonadism” where idiopathic basically means they don’t know what causes it. Which some doctors will say when they do not understand the underlying causes of the amenorrhea. (Although this seems to be getting a little better these days? )

To break it down a little more, here are the different parts of the words that explain what it means:

• hypo means “beneath or below” or “less than normal.”

• gonads are your sex organs, so ovaries or testes

• gonadotropins are the two hormones that drive the menstrual cycle, Follicle Stimulating Hormones (FSH) and Luteinizing Hormone (LH)

  
  

So hypogonadotropic hypogonadism breaks down to: your gonads, ovaries, are underactive (hypogonadism), because the levels of reproductive control hormones FSH and LH are likewise low (hypogonadotropic).

This is really just a different way of describing hypothalamic amenorrhea (HA).

HA focuses on the amenorrhea (no period) part, and the hypothalamus being the controlling organ – but yes, the ovaries are underactive (because no follicles are growing) and the reproductive control hormones, LH in particular, but sometimes also FSH, are low.

In this case we are describing the underlying cause, which is that the hypothalamus is suppressed and not producing Gonadotropin Releasing Hormone (GnRH), which drives production of the FSH and LH by the pituitary gland.

If you have been diagnosed with HH, or think this might be something you’re experiencing, please start by looking at my definitive guide to HA. And if that rings true for you, get my book No Period. Now What? to learn a LOT more, and consider working with me directly if you would like as assessment of your situation and much more personalized recommendations for recovery and getting pregnant.

Feel free to drop a comment if you have more questions or need further clarification.