Premature ovarian failure

What is premature ovarian failure?

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 impacts about 1% of women under age 40.


• The cause is often unknown, but can include genetics, autoimmune disorders, chemotherapy treatment, or infections.


• Diagnosis is typically made by blood tests showing high follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels.


• Symptoms include irregular periods, infertility, hot flashes, vaginal dryness, and night sweats.


• Treatments focus on managing symptoms and may include hormone replacement therapy.

While dealing with POF can be difficult, women can work with their healthcare providers to explore ways to manage symptoms and improve quality of life. Our caring team at Endocrine Wellness Center understands the challenges of hormonal imbalances like POF. We offer customized bioidentical hormone therapy to help women restore optimal hormonal balance. This personalized approach can effectively relieve POF symptoms when natural hormone production declines.

I hope this overview on premature ovarian failure was helpful! Please consult a specialist like one of our providers at Endocrine Wellness Center if you're experiencing any troubling ovarian symptoms before age 40. We're here to listen and help you on your path to better health. Let us know if you have any other questions!