Premature Ovarian Failure
What is premature ovarian failure?
As human female ovaries are played reproductive and endocrine functions, then premature ovarian failure is the condition where the ovaries are not functioning properly before 40 years of age. Failure of the ovaries causes insufficiencies of reproductive hormone estrogen and also eggs production is less. All these insufficiencies cause infertility.
Some misconception is there that premature ovarian failure is related to premature menopause, but both the conditions are not same. In case of premature ovarian failure, irregular menstrual cycle is occurs and there are always chances of become pregnant. In case of menopause, total stoppage of the menstrual cycle and there are no chances of becoming pregnant.
Symptoms & Signs
The included sign and symptoms of premature ovarian failure are similar to menopause or typical of estrogen deficiency. Following are the sign and symptoms of premature ovarian failure:
- Menstrual cycle irregularity which can even stay for prolonged periods (several months or years also). It can develop after childbirth or discontinuation of contraceptive pills.
- Hot flashes
- Dryness of the vagina
- Mental upsets
- Mood swings
- Skin dryness
- Urine incontinence due to failure of bladder control
- Night sweats
- Mental irritation
- Concentration difficulty
- Lack of Libido or absence of sexual desires
- Sleep disturbance
Causes
In normal condition human ovaries contain sacs like structures which are known as follicles. In each month with the help of secreted hormones during menstruation cycle, only one follicle reaches for maturation.
Image 2 – Physiology of folliculogenesis i.e egg release
Image 3 – Hormones released by organs at various levels that are essential for normal egg release.
After maturation, the follicle becomes bursts and eggs are ready to fertilize in the fallopian tube.
The following can be a reason for premature ovarian failure:
Follicle depletion
Naturally follicle depletion occurs after menopause, but early aged follicle depletion is cause of premature ovarian failure.
Following are the reasons for early follicle depletion:
Chromosomal defects
Chromosomal defect like Turner’s syndrome causes presence of only single X- chromosomes instead of double. In case of fragile X syndrome which causes mental retardation.
Toxins
Premature Ovarian failure is another result of chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Genetic material impairment due to chemotherapy and radiation therapy causes premature ovarian failure. Other than this environmental smoke, chemicals, insecticides, pesticides and infecting agents such as viral attacks also cause premature ovarian failure.
Follicle dysfunction
When follicles are not working properly and remain inside the ovaries and not travel towards follicle tissue cause follicle dysfunction.
Autoimmune disease
In certain diseases, the body’s own immune system acts against ovarian tissues and causes follicle damage. It has been noted that viral and bacterial attacks mainly cause immune system impairment.
Congenital defects
Some women born with low number of follicles and each menstrual cycle less amount of follicles are mature for releasing eggs. Supporting follicles need to mature others follicles and lack of these causes premature ovarian failure.
Galactosemia
Glactosemia is a metabolic disorder which affects how body utilizes sugar (galactose) and almost 80% of women who are having glactosemia develop Premature Ovarian failure.
Diagnosis
For diagnose the premature ovarian failure, the communication with doctors about sign and symptoms is the initial step. Details questioning about the menstrual cycle occurrence, history of exposure of radiation or chemotherapy or any other chemicals are usually asked by the doctor during the first visit. After analyzing the sign and symptoms, doctors conduction physical examination followed by pelvic examination.
Depending upon the physical and pelvic examinations, following tests are usually conducted:
Pregnancy test
One of the major signs of missing a menstrual cycle is pregnancy. Pregnancy test helps to understand the onset of unexpected pregnancy.
FSH (Follicle stimulating hormone) test
FSH secreted from the anterior pituitary gland for stimulating the follicles in the ovaries. In case of premature ovarian failure, high level of FSH in the blood is common findings.
Estradiol test
The blood test is specifically conducted to check the estradiol (estrogen) and in presence of premature ovarian failure, the result is abnormally low.
Prolactin test
Prolactine hormone is responsible for breast milk secretion and also delays the ovulation. In case of premature ovarian failure, the result is abnormally high.
Karyotype
This test is conducted for examine for chromosomal abnormalities. Some premature ovarian failure is the result of woman having single X chromosomes instead of double and some female have other chromosomal disorders.
FMR1 gene testing
This test is conducted for testing the fragile X syndrome. This is a genetic disorder and causes cognitive impairment. Some females have premature ovarian syndrome due to fragile X syndrome.
Treatment
The available treatment mainly corrects the estrogen deficiency and doctors mainly recommended:
Estrogen replacement therapy
Estrogen replacement therapy usually provides the symptomatic relief which includes hot flashes and also for prevention of osteoporosis. If the ovaries are unable to produce estrogen, then this hormone replacement therapy helps to maintain the level of the estrogen.
To protect the precancerous growth of the endometrium, a combination of estrogen and progesterone is prescribed. This combination can provide vaginal bleeding again, but unable to repair ovarian function. This therapy usually given up to the age of 50 to 51, depending upon the physical health of the patient and also the doctor’s own choice of prescription.
Though prolong combination therapy for estrogen plus progestin has side effects related to cardiovascular diseases and breast cancer.
Calcium and vitamin D supplements
Premature Ovarian failure develops the risk of osteoporosis, for preventing these complication doctors may recommend calcium and vitamin D supplement after bone density measurement.
Complications
The associated complications of premature ovarian failure include:
Infertility
Premature ovarian failure causes infertility.
Image 4 – Invitro fertilization of egg with sperm in infertility treatment of premature ovarian failure
Osteoporosis
The lack of estrogen causes porosity of the bone and leads to Osteoporosis (brittle bone).
Mental irritability
Estrogen also helps to maintain the mental stability; lack of estrogen causes mental irritability, anxiety and depression.
References
- premature ovarian failure Overview, Presentation, DDx, Workup, Treatment, Medication, Follow-up at http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/271046-overview
- http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/premature-ovarian-failure/basics/definition/con-20028351
- http://www.webmd.com/menopause/tc/premature-ovarian-failure-topic-overview
- Premature Ovarian Failure. Also called: Ovarian insufficiency, POF, Primary ovarian insufficiency at https://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/prematureovarianfailure.html