Ovarian Failure: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment

A condition when menstruation ends before the age of 40 and the ovaries stop functioning. This may result in menopausal symptoms and issues with fertility. Primary and secondary ovarian failures are the two forms of the condition.

When the ovaries stop functioning normally before the age of forty, it is known as primary ovarian insufficiency. When this occurs, the ovaries stop producing eggs on a regular basis and stop producing the normal levels of the hormone estrogen. Infertility is a common outcome of the condition. The ovaries in secondary ovarian failure are functioning normally; nevertheless, there is an issue with the brain's hormone messages reaching them. Diseases of the pituitary gland or hypothalamus are often the cause of this.

Symptoms of Ovarian Failure

Primary ovarian insufficiency presents with symptoms similar to low estrogen or menopause. Among them are:

Irregular or absent periods. This condition can last for years. It may also appear with pregnancy or the cessation of birth control medication.

Difficulty becoming pregnant

Night sweats and hot flushes

Dryness in the vagina

Mood swings, sorrow, or anxiety

Difficulty concentrating or remembering things

Decreased desire for sex

What physical effects can primary ovarian insufficiency cause?

Low estrogen levels are brought on by primary ovarian insufficiency. Similar to menopause, decreasing estrogen can cause adverse effects including mood swings, diminished sex desire, and hot flashes. It also raises your chance of developing heart disease, osteoporosis, and other illnesses. Infertility is a common symptom of primary ovarian insufficiency.

What causes primary ovarian insufficiency?

Autoimmune conditions like thyroid disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and Addison's disease

Chemotherapy and radiation

Genetic disorders such as Turner syndrome

Hysterectomy (uterine removal surgery)

Infections like HIV and mumps

Prolonged exposure to chemicals

Diagnosis

Diagnosis involves:

Both a physical and a pelvic exam will be conducted by your healthcare professional. They'll also inquire about your past medical history.

Karyotype testing, a blood test, is used to check for genetic abnormalities.

An ultrasound of the pelvis to examine the uterus and ovaries

A pregnancy test

Testing using antibodies to look for autoimmune diseases

Treatment

Treating primary ovarian insufficiency often focuses on the problems caused by insufficient estrogen.

Replacing the hormones that are no longer produced by your ovaries

Treating POI side effects or symptoms (such as dry vagina, nocturnal sweats, etc)

Reducing the likelihood of illnesses brought on by POI.

Treating underlying illnesses that make the symptoms of POI worse

Conclusion

There is no known cure to increase fertility. However, some individuals with primary ovarian insufficiency and their spouses attempt in vitro fertilization as a means of conception. The process entails taking the donor's eggs and fertilizing them with sperm. Next, an embryo—a fertilised egg—is inserted into the uterus.

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