Primary ovarian insufficiency

Primary ovarian insufficiency (POI), also known as premature ovarian failure (POF), is a condition that affects a woman's ovaries before she is 40 years old. Women with POI do not produce normal amounts of the hormone estrogen or release eggs regularly. This condition often leads to infertility.

Pronunciation

Primary ovarian insufficiency: /ˈpraɪmɛri oʊˈvɛriən ˌɪnsəˈfɪʃənsi/

Etymology

The term "primary ovarian insufficiency" is derived from the following words: "primary" (from Latin primarius meaning "of the first rank"), "ovarian" (pertaining to the ovary), and "insufficiency" (from Latin insufficientia meaning "inadequacy").

Symptoms

Women with POI often experience menopause-like symptoms such as hot flashes, night sweats, irritability, and vaginal dryness. They may also have difficulty getting pregnant.

Causes

The exact cause of POI is often unknown, but it can be related to genetic disorders such as Turner syndrome or Fragile X syndrome, or to autoimmune diseases. Other factors that may contribute to the development of POI include chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and certain surgeries.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of POI usually involves a physical examination, a review of the patient's medical and family history, and blood tests to measure hormone levels. An ultrasound may also be used to examine the ovaries.

Treatment

Treatment for POI aims to manage symptoms and prevent complications. This may involve hormone replacement therapy (HRT) to provide the body with the estrogen it is not producing. Women with POI who wish to become pregnant may consider options such as in vitro fertilization (IVF) or egg donation.

Related Terms

External links

Medical encyclopedia article on Primary ovarian insufficiency
Wikipedia's article - Primary ovarian insufficiency

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Primary ovarian insufficiency