Premature ovarian failure (POF), also known as primary ovarian insufficiency, is when a woman's ovaries stop functioning properly before age 40. The ovaries produce fewer hormones and fewer mature eggs, causing irregular periods or loss of periods altogether (amenorrhea).
Women with POF may experience:
Doctors often don't know the exact cause, but POF can be from:
To diagnose POF, doctors evaluate:
There's no proven way to regain ovarian function, but options to manage POF include:
The knowledgeable physicians at Vitality Hormone Center specialize in hormonal conditions like POF. They provide compassionate care, hormone testing, and personalized treatment plans to help women maintain their well-being and manage their symptoms. Contact Vitality Hormone Center today to learn more or schedule a consultation.
With treatment, most women with POF can manage their symptoms and live full, healthy lives. Proper hormone therapy can protect bone, brain, and heart health. Building a support network is also beneficial to cope with the emotions of infertility and early menopause.
While pregnancy may be difficult, women with POF should know there are family-building options like egg donation. Continued research brings more hope for improving diagnoses and treatments.