HPA Axis Suppression Symptoms in Men and Women.įor men, when the HPA axis becomes suppressed, the symptoms that tend to arise include difficulty sleeping, midday fatigue, anxiety, weakened immunity, depression, aching joints, diminished sex drive, the tendency to feel cold, and loss of muscle mass and strength. Combined with the body’s innate ability to heal itself, treating HPA axis suppression begins with identifying the underlying problem and developing a customized plan for treatment. When the HPA axis becomes suppressed, the body is not able to properly regulate stress and energy levels, which can manifest in symptoms such as fatigue, suppressed immune system, depression, and anxiety.įor many people, fatigue can creep up with a collection of non-specific symptoms, but can be classified as a general state of “feeling unwell.” While most cases are mild and can resolve on their own, if left untreated, symptoms of HPA axis issues can become debilitating. The HPA axis can also be thought of as the body’s energy regulator, because it is also responsible for controlling virtually all of the hormones, nervous system activity, and energy expenditure in the human body, as well as modulating the immune system. The HPA axis can be understood as the body’s “stress system.” It controls the body’s level of cortisol (the “stress hormone”) and other important stress-related hormones.

Learning the facts behind HPA axis suppression (known as adrenal fatigue before the dysfunction was fully understood) can help in managing symptoms and restoring balance in the body. However, chronic daily stressors as well as serious life changes can cause problems with the HPA axis and lead to symptoms such as fatigue, trouble sleeping, allergies, weakened immune function, and food cravings, to name a few. The hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis-the complex relationship between the hypothalamus, the pituitary gland, and the adrenals-is something that few people think about, or even know about. HPA Axis Suppression: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatments

Symptoms of hpa axis dysfunction