Today, Israel is a leader in healthcare. Hundreds and thousands of patients from around the world seek quality examinations that can only be obtained here.
Ichilov Clinic is a large medical center where fields such as diagnostics, cardiology, neurology, oncology, urology, infertility treatment, pediatrics, and orthopedics are actively developing. These departments are led by internationally renowned doctors. Despite the large influx of patients, they actively conduct new research, trying to save as many lives as possible. New methods are being developed to help people navigate all stages of treatment and rehabilitation more easily.
Patient reviews who were able to restore their health thanks to the hard work of the doctors at Ichilov Clinic can be read in the relevant section of the website. If you are looking for quality, an individual approach, and wish to undergo modern high-efficiency treatment, then Ichilov is the safest place.
About the Disease
Hypogonadism in men is a condition in which the testes do not produce sex hormones. The condition can be related to primary or secondary causes.
Primary causes of hypogonadism include low levels of male hormones with normal or elevated levels of FSH, LH, secreted by the anterior pituitary gland. An example of this is Klinefelter syndrome. Secondary hypogonadism is caused by low levels of male hormones in the serum and low levels of FSH and LH. An example of such a situation is hypogonadotropic hypogonadism. There is also late-onset hypogonadism. The decrease in male hormone levels occurs due to aging or age-related diseases such as obesity and diabetes.
Common symptoms of hypogonadism in men include:
- absence of testicular development and penile growth;
- delayed bone age;
- insufficient erection, loss of libido, and low sexual activity;
- persistent fatigue;
- growth of breast tissue;
- decreased muscle mass and physical strength;
- excessive sweating.
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Treatment Methods for Hypogonadism
Men with hypogonadism are indicated for hormone therapy. If hypogonadism is caused by a pituitary tumor, radiation, medication, or surgical intervention may be required to reduce or remove the tumor.
Hormone Replacement Therapy
The goal of hormone therapy is to improve quality of life by enhancing well-being, sexual function, and issues related to cognitive and functional areas (muscle and bone strength) by restoring hormone levels. There are many different forms of hormonal medications:
- injectable medications;
- tablets;
- gels for skin application;
- implants placed under the skin.
Surgical Treatment
Surgery is performed when hypogonadism arises from a cause that requires radical intervention with the removal of the dysfunctional gland, as it may degenerate into a malignant tumor, such as gonadoblastoma or carcinoma, as seen in Turner syndrome. Men with non-functioning testicular tissue are recommended to undergo orchiectomy with the placement of a prosthesis due to the risk of malignancy (similar to cryptorchidism).
Radiation Therapy
In some cases, radiation therapy may be prescribed as treatment. This occurs when there is a pituitary tumor that cannot be surgically removed, or when radiation therapy is considered more optimal given all the characteristics of the tumor and the patient's condition. Radiation is performed on modern TrueBeam STx linear accelerators or using CyberKnife. This modern equipment for conducting radiation therapy sessions ensures maximum precision of irradiation. In cases where tumors require treatment with radiation therapy, sperm may be extracted and frozen for future use at an appropriate time.
- Hormone therapy
- Radiation therapy
Diagnostic Methods for the Disease
Diagnostics at Ichilov Clinic is conducted promptly, usually taking no more than three days. All diagnostic procedures are performed on modern high-precision equipment and using quality reagents.
Consultation
Upon arrival at the clinic, the patient meets with the attending physician. The doctor collects a complete medical history, clarifies symptoms, personal and family history (father with delayed puberty, family history of hypogonadism), and sexual history (frequency of sexual contacts, sexual desire, spontaneous morning erection), conducts an examination that includes checking body mass index, blood pressure, body proportions, assessing the stage of puberty, position of the urethral opening, folds and pigmentation of the scrotum, size of the testes and prostate. After the examination, the doctor prescribes instrumental and laboratory tests to be conducted the following day.
Investigations
The following types of investigations may be conducted as part of the screening for hypogonadism:
- testosterone level analysis;
- immunological study;
- ultrasound of the testes;
- testicular biopsy in cases of azoospermia;
- MRI of the sella turcica to assess the structure of the pituitary gland;
- densitometry for quantitative assessment of osteoporosis;
- sperm analysis for fertility assessment.
Consultation Board
A medical consultation board is convened to discuss complex cases, where doctors from related specialties collectively decide on the most relevant treatment methods. This approach allows for a comprehensive assessment of the clinical case, avoids medical errors, and improves the overall prognosis.
- Biopsy
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
- Ultrasound
How Much Does Treatment Cost in Israel
In advance, the patient can only learn the preliminary cost of treatment. The exact price is calculated individually after diagnostics are performed at the clinic and the therapeutic plan is approved.
All prices for services at Ichilov Clinic are strictly regulated by the government. Therefore, options for price inflation are excluded. The exact calculation of the number of upcoming procedures is made in advance, at the stage of approving the therapeutic plan, and usually remains unchanged until the end of treatment. There are no advance payments at Ichilov; payments are made post-factum.
Advantages of Treatment at Ichilov
The main reasons why patients prefer treatment at Ichilov are listed below:
- accurate diagnostics and modern high-efficiency treatment;
- availability of innovative methods and a strictly individual approach;
- assistance in organizing arrival, accommodation, personal accompanying services, and, if necessary, psychological consultation;
- comfortable accommodation conditions that meet all patient requirements.
If you have signs of the disease and wish to undergo treatment in Israel, contact us today. A medical consultant will answer all your questions and help organize direct communication with a doctor at a convenient time for you.