Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsCausesDiagnosisTreatmentComplications
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Symptoms
Causes
Diagnosis
Treatment
Complications
Primary ovarian insufficiency, also known as premature ovarian failure, occurs when an individual’s ovaries stop working before age 40.
Theovariesare a pair of female glands that are involved in themenstrual cycle, pregnancy, and menopause. The ovaries produce the hormonesestrogenandprogesteroneand also contain an individual’s eggs.
Seventy Four / Getty Images
Primary ovarian insufficiency can lead to irregular periods and infertility. This condition is different frompremature menopause.
This article describes the symptoms, risk factors, and treatment options for primary ovarian insufficiency.
What Do Ovaries Look Like?
The first sign of primary ovarian insufficiency is usually a change in the menstrual cycle. Common symptoms include:
Low Estrogen: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatments
The exact cause of primary ovarian insufficiency is usually unknown. In fact, the cause can only be determined in about 10% of cases.
Experts believe that the risk of primary ovarian insufficiency is linked to the health of thefollicles, small sacs in the ovaries where eggs form and grow. In primary ovarian insufficiency, the follicles either do not function properly or run out earlier than expected.
Known risk factors of primary ovarian insufficiency include:
To diagnose primary ovarian insufficiency, your healthcare provider will start with a medical history. Your provider will ask questions about your family history and if any relatives have been diagnosed with primary ovarian insufficiency. They will also ask several questions about your menstrual cycle and how long it has been irregular or absent.
Other tests to expect include:
Types of Hormone Tests for Women and What Their Results Mean
Primary ovarian insufficiency affects about 1 out of every 1,000 teens and adults between the ages of 15 and 29.
There is no known cure for primary ovarian insufficiency, and no treatment option has been proven to fully restore the function of the ovaries. Treatments are usually aimed at addressing the symptoms and possible complications.
Treatment options may include:
Because primary ovarian insufficiency affects hormone levels in the body, it can raise the risk of other health conditions, including:
Hormones and Your Menstrual Cycle
Summary
A Word From Verywell
Primary ovarian insufficiency can be a devastating diagnosis for young women and individuals who menstruate. It is normal to experience a sense of loss at the time of diagnosis. Because the cause is usually unknown, it is not possible to prevent primary ovarian insufficiency. Talk with your healthcare provider if you are struggling with this diagnosis and consider meeting with a therapist for support.
Frequently Asked QuestionsThe most common reason that individuals with primary ovarian insufficiency know that something is wrong is a change in their menstrual cycles. Absent or irregular menstrual cycles are often the first sign of this disease.About 5%–10% of individuals with primary ovarian insufficiency will be able to conceive without medical intervention.The diagnostic process for primary ovarian insufficiency usually includes a medical history, physical exam, pregnancy test, lab tests, and a pelvic ultrasound.
Frequently Asked Questions
The most common reason that individuals with primary ovarian insufficiency know that something is wrong is a change in their menstrual cycles. Absent or irregular menstrual cycles are often the first sign of this disease.
About 5%–10% of individuals with primary ovarian insufficiency will be able to conceive without medical intervention.
The diagnostic process for primary ovarian insufficiency usually includes a medical history, physical exam, pregnancy test, lab tests, and a pelvic ultrasound.
12 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.MedlinePlus.Primary ovarian insufficiency.National Cancer Institute.Definition of ovary.National Institute of Child and Human Development.About primary ovarian insufficiency.National Institute of Child and Human Development.What causes POI?National Institute of Child and Human Development.How do healthcare providers diagnose POI?MedlinePlus.Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels test.MedlinePlus.Estrogen levels test.MedlinePlus.Luteinizing hormone (LH) levels test.Center for Young Women’s Health.Primary ovarian insufficiency (POI).National Institute of Child and Human Development.What are the treatments for POI?National Institutes of Health.Hormone treatment restores bone density for young women with menopause-like condition.National Institute of Child and Human Development.Are there disorders or conditions associated with POI?Additional ReadingEndocrine Society.Primary ovarian insufficiency.Ishizuka B, Furuya M, Kimura M, Kamioka E, Kawamura K.Live birth rate in patients with premature ovarian insufficiency during long-term follow-up under hormone replacement with or without ovarian stimulation.Front Endocrinol (Lausanne). 2021 Dec 17;12:795724. doi:10.3389/fendo.2021.795724Jiang L, Fei H, Tong J, Zhou J, Zhu J, Jin X, Shi Z, Zhou Y, Ma X, Yu H, Yang J, Zhang S.Hormone replacement therapy reverses gut microbiome and serum metabolome alterations in premature ovarian insufficiency.Front Endocrinol (Lausanne). 2021 Dec 23;12:794496. doi:10.3389/fendo.2021.794496Wu J, Ning Y, Tan L, Chen Y, Huang X, Zhuo Y.Characteristics of the vaginal microbiome in women with premature ovarian insufficiency.J Ovarian Res. 2021 Dec 8;14(1):172. doi:10.1186/s13048-021-00923-9
12 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.MedlinePlus.Primary ovarian insufficiency.National Cancer Institute.Definition of ovary.National Institute of Child and Human Development.About primary ovarian insufficiency.National Institute of Child and Human Development.What causes POI?National Institute of Child and Human Development.How do healthcare providers diagnose POI?MedlinePlus.Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels test.MedlinePlus.Estrogen levels test.MedlinePlus.Luteinizing hormone (LH) levels test.Center for Young Women’s Health.Primary ovarian insufficiency (POI).National Institute of Child and Human Development.What are the treatments for POI?National Institutes of Health.Hormone treatment restores bone density for young women with menopause-like condition.National Institute of Child and Human Development.Are there disorders or conditions associated with POI?Additional ReadingEndocrine Society.Primary ovarian insufficiency.Ishizuka B, Furuya M, Kimura M, Kamioka E, Kawamura K.Live birth rate in patients with premature ovarian insufficiency during long-term follow-up under hormone replacement with or without ovarian stimulation.Front Endocrinol (Lausanne). 2021 Dec 17;12:795724. doi:10.3389/fendo.2021.795724Jiang L, Fei H, Tong J, Zhou J, Zhu J, Jin X, Shi Z, Zhou Y, Ma X, Yu H, Yang J, Zhang S.Hormone replacement therapy reverses gut microbiome and serum metabolome alterations in premature ovarian insufficiency.Front Endocrinol (Lausanne). 2021 Dec 23;12:794496. doi:10.3389/fendo.2021.794496Wu J, Ning Y, Tan L, Chen Y, Huang X, Zhuo Y.Characteristics of the vaginal microbiome in women with premature ovarian insufficiency.J Ovarian Res. 2021 Dec 8;14(1):172. doi:10.1186/s13048-021-00923-9
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
MedlinePlus.Primary ovarian insufficiency.National Cancer Institute.Definition of ovary.National Institute of Child and Human Development.About primary ovarian insufficiency.National Institute of Child and Human Development.What causes POI?National Institute of Child and Human Development.How do healthcare providers diagnose POI?MedlinePlus.Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels test.MedlinePlus.Estrogen levels test.MedlinePlus.Luteinizing hormone (LH) levels test.Center for Young Women’s Health.Primary ovarian insufficiency (POI).National Institute of Child and Human Development.What are the treatments for POI?National Institutes of Health.Hormone treatment restores bone density for young women with menopause-like condition.National Institute of Child and Human Development.Are there disorders or conditions associated with POI?
MedlinePlus.Primary ovarian insufficiency.
National Cancer Institute.Definition of ovary.
National Institute of Child and Human Development.About primary ovarian insufficiency.
National Institute of Child and Human Development.What causes POI?
National Institute of Child and Human Development.How do healthcare providers diagnose POI?
MedlinePlus.Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels test.
MedlinePlus.Estrogen levels test.
MedlinePlus.Luteinizing hormone (LH) levels test.
Center for Young Women’s Health.Primary ovarian insufficiency (POI).
National Institute of Child and Human Development.What are the treatments for POI?
National Institutes of Health.Hormone treatment restores bone density for young women with menopause-like condition.
National Institute of Child and Human Development.Are there disorders or conditions associated with POI?
Endocrine Society.Primary ovarian insufficiency.Ishizuka B, Furuya M, Kimura M, Kamioka E, Kawamura K.Live birth rate in patients with premature ovarian insufficiency during long-term follow-up under hormone replacement with or without ovarian stimulation.Front Endocrinol (Lausanne). 2021 Dec 17;12:795724. doi:10.3389/fendo.2021.795724Jiang L, Fei H, Tong J, Zhou J, Zhu J, Jin X, Shi Z, Zhou Y, Ma X, Yu H, Yang J, Zhang S.Hormone replacement therapy reverses gut microbiome and serum metabolome alterations in premature ovarian insufficiency.Front Endocrinol (Lausanne). 2021 Dec 23;12:794496. doi:10.3389/fendo.2021.794496Wu J, Ning Y, Tan L, Chen Y, Huang X, Zhuo Y.Characteristics of the vaginal microbiome in women with premature ovarian insufficiency.J Ovarian Res. 2021 Dec 8;14(1):172. doi:10.1186/s13048-021-00923-9
Endocrine Society.Primary ovarian insufficiency.
Ishizuka B, Furuya M, Kimura M, Kamioka E, Kawamura K.Live birth rate in patients with premature ovarian insufficiency during long-term follow-up under hormone replacement with or without ovarian stimulation.Front Endocrinol (Lausanne). 2021 Dec 17;12:795724. doi:10.3389/fendo.2021.795724
Jiang L, Fei H, Tong J, Zhou J, Zhu J, Jin X, Shi Z, Zhou Y, Ma X, Yu H, Yang J, Zhang S.Hormone replacement therapy reverses gut microbiome and serum metabolome alterations in premature ovarian insufficiency.Front Endocrinol (Lausanne). 2021 Dec 23;12:794496. doi:10.3389/fendo.2021.794496
Wu J, Ning Y, Tan L, Chen Y, Huang X, Zhuo Y.Characteristics of the vaginal microbiome in women with premature ovarian insufficiency.J Ovarian Res. 2021 Dec 8;14(1):172. doi:10.1186/s13048-021-00923-9
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