Infertility & Reproduction Health Center

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This topic contains information about loss of ovarian function before age 40. If you want information about the normal loss of ovarian function around age 50 or about symptoms in the few years before it, see the topic Menopause and Perimenopause.

What is premature ovarian failure?

Premature ovarian failure occurs when your ovaries-which store and release eggs-stop working before age 40. You may have no or few eggs. Depending on the cause, premature ovarian failure may develop as early as the teen years, or the problem may have been present from birth.

A woman who has premature ovarian failure is very likely to have irregular or no periods, infertility problems, and menopause-like symptoms. It is difficult, though not impossible, for women who have premature ovarian failure to become pregnant.

What causes premature ovarian failure?

Although the exact cause of premature ovarian failure may be unknown, a genetic factor or a problem with the body's immune system may play a role in some women. In an immune system disorder, the body may attack its own tissues-in this case, the ovaries.

Premature ovarian failure may develop after a hysterectomy or other pelvic surgery or from radiation or chemotherapy treatment for cancer. In some of these cases, the condition may be temporary, with the ovaries starting to work again some years later.

What are the symptoms?

The symptoms of premature ovarian failure are similar to those of menopause. Your menstrual periods may become irregular-you have a period one month but not the next-or they may stop. You also may have some or all of the symptoms of menopause, such as hot flashes, night sweats, irritability, vaginal dryness, low sex drive, or trouble sleeping.

How is premature ovarian failure diagnosed?

If your periods become irregular or stop, your doctor will give you a physical examination and ask you questions about your general health and whether you have other symptoms of premature ovarian failure. You will also have a pregnancy test, and your blood will be tested for other possible causes of irregular periods.

To check for possible ovarian failure, your blood level of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) will be checked. FSH signals your body to release an egg every month. If the amount of FSH in your blood is higher than normal on more than one day, you may have premature ovarian failure. Another blood test also may be done to measure the amount of estradiol (or estrogen) in your blood. Very low estrogen with a high FSH is a sign of premature ovarian failure.

Some women find out they have premature ovarian failure when they see a doctor because they are having trouble getting pregnant.

How is it treated?