Primary Ovarian Failure is a condition in which a woman becomes menopausal and stops having menstrual periods at too young an age, generally under the age of 40.
This condition, also called Primary Ovarian Insufficiency, can be a cause of infertility.
What are the Causes of Premature Ovarian Failure?
At present, there are several known causes of Premature Ovarian Failure. They are all pretty technical, but here is a brief, simplified list of the most common causes of Premature Ovarian Failure:
- Chromosomal Abnormalities. This includes 45X, or Turner’s Syndrome, or a variant which is called Turner’s Mosaic.
- Damage to the egg supply and ovaries as a result of chemotherapy, radiation treatment or surgery.
- Premature Ovarian Failure that is related to the Fragile X Syndrome, or premutations of the FMR1 gene.
- Autoimmune Premature Ovarian Failure
As regards the Fragile X Syndrome, or premutations of the FMR1 gene, it is the most common inherited cause of mental retardation. The premutation situation is the one that is important in Premature Ovarian Failure.
It is estimated that approximately 20% of women with the FMR1 premutation will have Premature Ovarian Syndrome.
Regarding the autoimmune causes of Premature Ovarian Failure, it is important to note that women who have this condition might also have autoimmune dysfunctions.
Therefore, it is wise to be tested for these other autoimmune disorders, most commonly:
- Thyroid disease, which is the most common
- Parathyroids
- Adrenals
Research has shown that approximately 20% of women with Premature Ovarian Failure will have an autoimmune disorder. The most commonly found antibodies in women with Premature Ovarian Failure are thyroid and Lupus related.
What are the Symptoms of Premature Ovarian Failure?
- Night sweats
- Irregular menstrual periods
- Hot flashes
- Thinning and/or drying of the vagina
What Treatments are Available for Premature Ovarian Failure?
Basically, there is no way to reverse the loss of eggs and primordial follicles in the ovaries. Once the eggs are gone, there is as yet no way to make more.
So, women who have this condition will have to consider an egg donor and In Vitro Fertilization in order for pregnancy to occur.
For women who have Primary Ovarian Insufficiency, or POI, as opposed to a total failure as in Premature Ovarian Failure, there is some hope of conception because these women do still have some eggs and will occasionally spontaneously ovulate.
Statistically, about 5%-10% of women with Primary Ovarian Insufficiency will get pregnant naturally. However, the best chance of getting pregnant if you have POI is with estrogen replacement therapy.
Infertility: Premature Ovarian Failure Part 1
Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome & Its Effect on Fertility
Autoimmune Infertility Can Affect Either Gender
Good News About Ovarian Transplants