Incidence, temporal trends, and socioeconomic aspects of acquired male hypogonadism

Introduction: Little is known about temporal trends in the incidence of male hypogonadism and its correlation with socioeconomic status, which we examined in the present study. Methods: We extracted data from the Maccabi Health Services computerized database between 2001-2017. The study population included 4,261 men aged 21 to 80 with biochemically proven hypogonadism defined and classified according to the European Male Aging Study criteria. We excluded patients on testosterone or testosterone-modifying drugs. The socioeconomic status was assessed based on verified financial data pertinent to the area of residence. Results: The incidence of male hypogonadism increased with age in all the socioeconomic strata. 75% of the hypogonadal men had hypogonadotropic hypogonadism. The overall incidence of hypogonadism increased 1.4-fold between the 2001-2009 and 2010-2017 periods [from 41.7 (39.7-43.8) to 58.5 (56.4-60.8) per 100,000 person-years) (95% CI)], mainly due to an increase in hypogonadotropic hypogonadism. The temporal increase in hypogonadotropic hypogonadism occurred in all age groups and all socioeconomic strata but was notably more prominent in >51 age groups of the more affluent socioeconomic strata. The mean body mass index remained unchanged throughout the study period. Conclusions: We observed a temporal increase in male hypogonadism, mainly hypogonadotropic hypogonadism, corresponding with previously observed temporal decreases in testosterone levels in men. We discuss the possibility that this trend could be partly attributed to an underappreciated increase in mental distress due to decreasing global happiness indices, increasing stress, and occupational burnout in specific occupations associated with more affluent populations (i.e., high-tech, finance, medical). This preliminary proposition deserves further investigation.

Publication History

Received: 08 July 2024

Accepted after revision: 11 March 2025

Accepted Manuscript online:
11 March 2025