Premature Ovarian Failure: What is it and who’s at risk?
Approximately 1-4% of the female population has Premature Ovarian Failure (POF). Women are normally born with enough eggs in their ovaries so that they can ovulate each month from their first period until about the age of 50. Around that age the supply of eggs is used up and menopause occurs. For girls and young women with POF, something has happened to their supply of eggs in the ovaries. This could be happening for a variety of reasons such as loss of eggs, dysfunctional or problem eggs, and if they have had to have their ovaries removed at a young age. This is not a natural process like menopause because it’s happening way too early in life. Premature Ovarian Failure usually occurs to some women under the age of 40 and can happen as early as your teens.
The Symptoms of Premature Ovarian Failure are much the same as the symptoms for natural menopause only they are occurring at an earlier stage in the woman’s life. Women with POF will stop having periods. Sometimes they will find their periods are normal for a few months and then will skip a few months, becoming irregular. These women may also experience hot flashes and night sweats. They may also experience other symptoms common in menopause such as sleeping problems, mood swings, vaginal dryness, energy loss, low sex drive, painful sex, and bladder control issues.
Often times the cause of POF is not known exactly, but for some women a cause can be determined. Some of the possible causes include: Chromosomal/Genetic problems such as Tuner syndrome, Fragile X syndrome and more. Enzyme defects and Metabolic problems such as Galactosemia for instance, can also be a possible cause. Chemotherapy and Radiation therapy related causes are also possible. Surgical removal of the ovaries is also a leading cause of POF. Many Autoimmune diseases are also associated with POF. Some of these include; Thyroid dysfunction, rheumatoid arthritis, Diabetes and more. You should definitely consult your physician if you think you may be experiencing POF. The signs and symptoms could be a variety of other problems so it’s important to determine exactly what you have and possible causes for it.
Health concerns for women with Premature Ovarian Failure include osteoporosis and increased risk of heart disease. Also POF is sometimes associated with autoimmune disorders that may require further medical treatment on their own. Infertility is also a major consequence of POF. This problem is one of the most devastating of all for some women.
Usually, POF is treated with hormone replacement therapy. Hormone replacement therapy normally includes estrogen and progesterone but sometimes may also include testosterone. Women who are diagnosed with POF are encourages to exercise regularly and eat a healthy diet to decrease the health risks associated with Premature Ovarian Failure.
POF can lead to early menopause in some cases if cessation of periods is permanent. However, POF may not always be permanent. Most women with POF intermittently produce estrogen and ovulate. Menopause means complete stoppage of periods, whereas POF may be reversible in some cases. It’s better to call POF by what it really is, Premature Ovarian Failure, rather than calling it premature or early menopause.
The most common treatment for POF is hormone replacement therapy to relieve the symptoms of Premature Ovarian Failure. However, currently there’s no treatment that has proven safe and effective in restoring normal function of the ovaries or improving fertility. Pregnancy is still possible, between 5 and 10 percent of women with POF become pregnant without treatment and a higher number of women become pregnant when taking Hormone Replacement Therapy.
How To Tell If You Suspect POF?
One of the most common signs of POF is having irregular periods. Women should pay close attention to their menstrual cycles, so that they can alert their doctor when changes occur. If you are under the age of 40 and you experience irregular periods, or if you miss your periods completely for months your doctor may measure the level of FSH in your blood to determine if you have primary insufficiency in its early stages, or possibly fully developed Premature Ovarian Failure. FSH signals to the ovaries that they need to make estrogen. If the ovaries are not functioning properly, the level of FSH in the blood increases. A higher level of FSH in the blood is a strong sign of POF. Irregular periods are not a sure sign of POF. It’s best to be tested to be sure.
It’s important to consult your physician if you have any of the signs associated with POF and are under 40 years of age. You should begin to research Premature Ovarian Failure as well so that if you are going through it you will know what to expect.
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