Premature Ovarian Failure Overview
Learn About Premature Ovarian Failure
Premature ovarian failure is reduced function of the ovaries (including decreased production of hormones). Ovarian failure that occurs before the age of 40 is considered premature ovarian failure.
Ovarian hypofunction; Ovarian insufficiency
Premature ovarian failure may be caused by genetic factors such as chromosome abnormalities. It may also occur with certain autoimmune disorders that disrupt the normal function of the ovaries. Most often there is no obvious cause, although a family history of the condition may play a role.
Chemotherapy and radiation therapy can also cause premature ovarian failure.
Women with premature ovarian failure may develop symptoms of menopause, which include:
- Hot flashes
- Irregular or absent periods
- Mood swings
- Night sweats
- Vaginal dryness
This condition may also make it hard for a woman to become pregnant.
Estrogen therapy often helps relieve menopausal symptoms and prevents bone loss. However, it will not increase your chances of becoming pregnant. Fewer than 1 in 10 women with this condition will be able to get pregnant. The chance of getting pregnant increases to 50% when you use a fertilized donor egg (an egg from another woman).
Philippe Touraine practices in Paris, France. Mr. Touraine and is rated as an Elite expert by MediFind in the treatment of Premature Ovarian Failure. His top areas of expertise are Premature Ovarian Failure, Intersex, Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia (CAH), Familial Glucocorticoid Deficiency, and Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT).
Svetlana Vujovic practices in Belgrade, Serbia. Ms. Vujovic and is rated as an Elite expert by MediFind in the treatment of Premature Ovarian Failure. Her top areas of expertise are Premature Ovarian Failure, Obesity, Infertility, Cushing's syndrome, and Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT).
Anne Bachelot practices in Paris, France. Ms. Bachelot and is rated as an Elite expert by MediFind in the treatment of Premature Ovarian Failure. Her top areas of expertise are Premature Ovarian Failure, Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia (CAH), Intersex, Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT), and Endoscopic Transnasal Transsphenoidal Surgery.
Contact your health care provider if:
- You are no longer having monthly periods.
- You have symptoms of early menopause.
- You are having difficulty becoming pregnant.
Background: Premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) is a condition in which women under the age of 40 years have absent or irregular menstrual cycles. POI can cause infertility, signs of menopause, osteoporosis, and other symptoms. Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is a treatment that gives women extra hormones, such as estrogen and progesterone. HRT works well in adult women. Researchers want to find the most ...
Background: Turner Syndrome, galactosemia, and premature ovarian insufficiency are all conditions that may make it very hard or impossible for a person to become pregnant and have their own child. Researchers want to learn more about why this happens and if freezing Gonadal tissue allows for fertility preservation.
Published Date: April 16, 2024
Published By: John D. Jacobson, MD, Professor Emeritus, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Loma Linda University School of Medicine, Loma Linda, CA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
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