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Reproductive Axis Suppression

Meaning

Reproductive Axis Suppression describes the clinical or physiological inhibition of the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Gonadal (HPG) axis, resulting in a significant reduction in the pulsatile release of Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone (GnRH), Luteinizing Hormone (LH), and Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH), and consequently, a substantial drop in sex steroid production. This suppression can be an intentional therapeutic strategy, such as in certain hormone therapies, or an undesirable pathological side effect of severe disease, chronic stress, or the use of specific pharmacological agents. It inevitably leads to a state of functional hypogonadism.