This can be associated with other menopausal-like symptoms such as hot flushes, sweats and mood changes. It is relatively rare, occurring in one in 1, women under the age of 30 and one in women under the age of Most cases of premature ovarian failure are not inherited. Diagnosis is made on the basis of a careful clinical assessment, blood tests to look at hormone levels, antibodies and genetic tests, all of which can be done as an outpatient. An ultrasound scan of the ovaries is commonly performed to look at the structure of the ovaries and the uterus.
Ovarian failure is normally permanent. Treatment is centred on replacing the hormones that the ovaries can no longer produce in particular oestrogen and progesterone. Hormone replacement therapy HRT can help with the menopausal symptoms and specifically reduce bone loss.
With regards to fertility , egg donation and in vitro fertilisation IVF offer affected women the best chance of becoming pregnant. It may take a little while to find the best HRT to suit each individual. Information from large scientific studies has shown that long-term treatment with HRT beyond the normal age of menopause is associated with bleeding problems, bloatedness and breast tenderness.
There is also the increased risk of blood clot formation, a slight increase in the risk of a heart attack or stroke and there is an increased risk of breast cancer the longer the duration of use.
Premature ovarian failure means that affected women are infertile. The average age of early onset is 27 years. Women who have premature ovarian failure POF may experience some symptoms close to that of menopause such as hot flashes, no period, and vaginal dryness.
Premature Ovarian Failure may occur abruptly over one to two months or gradually over a several year time frame. In most cases of POF, sadly no direct cause is ever identified. Pelvic surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy can cause POF, as can uncommonly severe pelvic inflammatory disease. Acceptance of any infertility diagnosis can be heartbreaking, but in cases of premature ovarian failure many women find it to be a difficult and distressing diagnosis to receive.
The first step in determining a POF diagnosis is a blood test to check whether or not the ovary is producing estrogen and if the pituitary gland is producing the hormones FSH and LH that stimulate the ovarian follicles.
If the blood test indicates elevated pituitary hormones and that the ovary is not producing estrogen, then this is a clear sign of POF.
Overview Primary ovarian insufficiency occurs when the ovaries stop functioning as they should before age Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic. Share on: Facebook Twitter. Show references AskMayoExpert. Primary ovarian insufficiency. Mayo Clinic; Strauss JF, et al. Menopause and aging.
In: Yen and Jaffe's Reproductive Endocrinology. Elsevier; Accessed July 23, Merck Manual Professional Version.
Moreira AM, et al. Primary ovarian insufficiency: Different approaches in three cases and a review of literature. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. In the United States, the average age for a woman to go through menopause is 51 , but it can occur anytime in the early 40s to late 50s. Some factors can cause this premature condition, including genetics, autoimmune disorders, illness, chemotherapy, radiation, surgical removal of the ovaries with or without removal of the uterus, smoking, or higher body mass index.
For those women undergoing natural menopause not brought on by any type of medical or surgical treatment the process is gradual. It usually follows three stages:. This initial stage usually begins several years before the natural condition. During this time, ovaries gradually produce fewer hormones.
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