Premature Ovarian Failure

A mystery to many researchers, premature ovarian failure (POF) can be devastating to women. Affecting between 1 and 4% of women, anywhere between 250,000 and one million American women are impacted by POF.

What Is POF?

Often classified incorrectly, POF is not the same as premature menopause. Women who have premature menopause will no longer have a period and they cannot conceive a child because they are no longer producing any eggs in their ovaries. POF, on the other hand, occurs when the ovaries stop working properly for some reason either through the loss or dysfunction of their egg follicles.

Additionally, women with POF can go months without a period and then suddenly have a regular cycle for a few months before their periods temporarily cease again. While menopause is a naturally occurring phenomenon, POF is not and can happen to any woman under the age of 40, even teenagers.

The confusion between POF and premature menopause occurs because symptoms of POF can be similar to those of menopause. Signs of POF include:

• Amenorrhea (cessation of period) or irregular periods
  
• Hot flashes and night sweats
  
• Sleep problems
  
• Irritability
  
• Vaginal dryness
  
• Loss of energy
  
• Loss of sex drive
  
• Painful sex
  
• Bladder problems
  
• Infertility
  

Additionally, hormone levels in a woman with POF may be similar to those of a menopausal woman. However, while high follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and low estrogen levels are normal for a menopausal woman, they are not normal in a woman with POF.

Why Does It Happen?

POF has been a problem for researchers and infertility experts for years. While there are many different explanations for POF, no exact cause has ever been identified. Possible reasons that eggs may cease to be produced include chemotherapy or radiation treatment and chromosomal abnormalities.

Follicle dysfunction may occur if a woman has a low amount of follicle or an abnormal autoimmune reaction that causes the body to attack developing follicles. There is also some suggestion that POF may be genetic. However, only about 10 to 20% of women with POF have a family history of the disorder.

Getting A Diagnosis

A woman's menstrual cycle is usually a good indicator of her health. Missing a period is usually a sign that something is not right and warrants an appointment with your doctor.

For a doctor to diagnose POF, it is necessary to do a blood test that measures the level of FSH in your blood. While missing one period is reason enough to visit your doctor, it is usually necessary to have had no period for four consecutive months before POF can be diagnosed. When investigating the possibility of POF, you will need to do two FSH blood tests about a month apart. A diagnosis of POF is likely if your tests show your FSH levels to be above 40mlU/ml. In some cases, doctors will diagnose POF with FSH levels above 30mlU/ml.