Approximately one in every 1,000 women between the age of 15 and 29 and one in every 100 women between the ages of 30 to 39 are affected by premature ovarian failure, according to the American Pregnancy Association. Premature ovarian failure is defined as a loss of normal function of the ovaries before the age of 40, according to the MayoClinic.com. Ovarian failure means that the ovaries do not produce eggs or fail to produce a normal amount of the hormone estrogen. Premature ovarian failure can lead to infertility.
Distinction
There is a difference between premature ovarian failure and menopause. Menopause commonly occurs around the age of 51. Premature ovarian failure, commonly known as premature menopause, occurs before 40---on average around age 27, according to the American Pregnancy Association. Women may still have periods even with premature ovarian failure.
Identification
One of the first signs of premature ovarian failure is irregular periods. Women may notice a change in the duration of period or change of menstrual flow. Women may also experience hot flashes, night sweats, a decreased sex drive, irritability, painful sex, and thinning or drying of the vagina, according to the MayoClinic.com. Physicians will often run a follicle stimulating hormone test to determine if levels are elevated, an indication of premature ovarian failure.
Causes
There are many causes for premature ovarian failure. Certain genetic conditions such as Turner syndrome or fragile X syndrome can cause infertility as well as autoimmune dysfunction. Cancer treatments that involve radiation or chemotherapy may cause a woman's ovaries to fail prematurely. Other causes include thyroid disorders, viral infections or eating disorders such as anorexia or bulimia.
Pregnancy Options
A woman's options for pregnancy depend greatly on the function of her ovaries. Physicians will often try medications to stimulate the ovaries to release eggs or return a woman's cycle to a level of normalcy. Commonly used drugs include clomiphene citrate or danazol. The American Pregnancy Association explains that eight percent of women with premature ovarian failure conceive using hormone replacement therapy. Women may also look for donor eggs to have fertilized and implanted into her uterus.
Considerations
A diagnosis of premature ovarian failure may make pregnancy difficult but not impossible. Women seeking to get pregnant should discuss the cause of the premature ovarian failure with a fertility specialist to help determine whether she is able to get pregnant.
