Premature Ovarian FailureSymptoms, Doctors, Treatments, Advances & More
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).
Svetlana Vujovic practices practicing medicine in Belgrade, Serbia. Ms. Vujovic is rated as an Elite expert by MediFind in the treatment of Premature Ovarian Failure. She is also highly rated in 5 other conditions, according to our data. Her clinical expertise encompasses Premature Ovarian Failure, Obesity, Cushing's syndrome, Infertility, and Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT).
Jerome Dulon practices practicing medicine in Paris, France. Mr. Dulon is rated as an Elite expert by MediFind in the treatment of Premature Ovarian Failure. He is also highly rated in 6 other conditions, according to our data. His clinical expertise encompasses Premature Ovarian Failure, Intersex, Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia (CAH), Perrault Syndrome, and Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT).
Anne Bachelot practices practicing medicine in Paris, France. Ms. Bachelot is rated as an Elite expert by MediFind in the treatment of Premature Ovarian Failure. She is also highly rated in 13 other conditions, according to our data. Her clinical expertise encompasses 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.
Summary: Several autoimmune diseases such as Addison's disease are associated with failing ovarian function, known as premature ovarian insufficiency (POI), which can lead to early menopause and reduced fertility.The underlying cause of POI in these women is considered to be an immunological attack on the ovaries that causes them to not respond to hormonal stimulation from the brain. Hormone replacement ef...
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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