Premature ovarian failure: a practical approach

Abstract

Premature ovarian failure (POF) could be more appropriately called "premature ovarian dysfunction", as spontaneous return of activity may occur. By definition POF occurs in women under 40, at an incidence of 1% of the population, the usual presenting symptom being amenorrhoea. It is associated with increased mortality which can be prevented by hormone replacement therapy. Affected women should be kept under regular review as related conditions such as hypothyroidism, diabetes and osteoporosis commonly occur. The infertility treatment of choice is in vitro fertilisation using donor eggs, although sporadic and unpredictable return of ovarian function may lead to spontaneous pregnancies.