Premature ovarian failure (POF), also known as primary ovarian insufficiency, is a condition where the ovaries stop functioning normally before age 40. This results in amenorrhea (absence of menstruation) and infertility. POF affects roughly 1 in 100 women by age 40.
The exact causes of POF are complex and not fully understood. Some potential causes include:
Common symptoms of POF include:
If you experience these symptoms before age 40, see your doctor. They can run blood tests to measure your follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) levels to determine if POF is present.
Many women with POF can still get pregnant, but frequency and success rates are lower. Options include:
Discuss your options with a reproductive endocrinologist. Newer treatments like hormone therapy may help some women with POF get pregnant.
POF puts women at higher risk for issues like osteoporosis and heart disease later in life due to estrogen deficiency. Work closely with your doctor to monitor bone density and heart health. Hormone replacement therapy can offset some of these risks.
The team at Revive Hormone Institute specializes in preserving fertility and managing symptoms for women with POF. Our comprehensive hormone, nutrition and lifestyle programs aim to slow disease progression and minimize long term health impacts. Schedule a consult today to develop a personalized plan.