Premature ovarian failure (POF), also known as primary ovarian insufficiency, is a condition characterized by loss of normal function of the ovaries before age 40. The ovaries stop producing normal levels of the hormone estrogen, which causes symptoms like irregular periods, infertility, and menopausal symptoms.
Some key points about POF:
- It affects roughly 1% of women under age 40. The cause is often unknown.
- Main signs are irregular periods or missed periods, hot flashes, vaginal dryness, and trouble getting pregnant naturally.
- It's usually diagnosed with blood tests for hormones like FSH and estradiol. FSH will be elevated.
- Treatments focus on relieving symptoms and preventing complications like osteoporosis. Hormone therapy with estrogen/progestin is commonly used.
There are a few ways POF can impact a woman's life:
- Infertility: Most women with POF struggle to get pregnant naturally and will require assisted reproductive technologies like IVF with an egg donor.
- Menopausal symptoms: Lack of estrogen causes symptoms like hot flashes, vaginal dryness, and mood changes for some women.
- Bone loss: The drop in estrogen accelerates bone loss, increasing osteoporosis risk later in life. Monitoring bone density is important.
If you've been diagnosed with POF, here is some advice:
- Find an endocrinologist to manage treatment and hormones
- Consider freezing eggs if fertility is a priority
- Take calcium/vitamin D to support bone health
- Join a POF support group to connect with other women sharing this journey
At
Hormone Health Center Therapy Clinic, we provide customized
hormone replacement therapy to help relieve POF symptoms like hot flashes, night sweats, and vaginal dryness. Our caring doctors will develop a personalized plan with
bioidentical hormones to help you feel your best through this transition. Schedule an appointment at our clinic if you'd like to learn more about hormone therapy options for managing POF.