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Testosterone Suppression Cortisol

Meaning

Testosterone suppression by cortisol describes the direct inhibitory effect of chronically elevated glucocorticoids on the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis, leading to a measurable decline in circulating testosterone levels. This is a physiological adaptation where the body prioritizes survival over reproduction during periods of sustained stress. High cortisol directly inhibits the release of GnRH from the hypothalamus and reduces the responsiveness of the testes or ovaries to LH and FSH, thereby lowering sex steroid synthesis. This hormonal crosstalk is a key mechanism underlying stress-induced hypogonadism and its associated symptoms.