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Gonadal Function under Duress

Meaning

This clinical descriptor denotes the compromised operational state of the gonadal axis—the testes in males and ovaries in females—when subjected to significant physiological or psychological stress, nutritional deficiency, or systemic illness. Under duress, the body prioritizes survival, often leading to a suppression of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis and a resultant reduction in sex hormone synthesis, such as testosterone and estrogen. This adaptive, yet ultimately detrimental, response can manifest as reproductive dysfunction, libido reduction, and overall decline in vitality.