Endocrine Abstracts

Objective: Exogenous and endogenous opioids affect the hypothalamic–pituitary–gonadal axis through binding to receptors centrally and by peripheral inhibition of testosterone synthesis, thereby altering the release of hormones. Approximately 12% of patients with persistent non-cancer pain use strong opioid analgesics in the UK, but the action on endocrine function may not be recognised. The aim of this study is to establish the incidence of gonadotrophin and other en...