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HPA-HPG Crosstalk

Meaning

HPA-HPG Crosstalk is the complex, reciprocal biochemical communication and regulatory interaction occurring between the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal (HPA) axis, which manages stress, and the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Gonadal (HPG) axis, which governs reproductive function. This neuroendocrine interplay is a critical mechanism by which chronic physiological stress, mediated by cortisol from the HPA axis, can directly suppress reproductive hormone production, leading to amenorrhea or reduced fertility. Clinically, understanding this crosstalk is vital for addressing stress-induced hormonal dysfunctions, as optimizing one axis often necessitates balancing the other for systemic health.