Premature Ovarian Insufficiency

“Loss of ovarian function occurring in women younger than 40 years of age is called premature ovarian insufficiency (POI). POI may also be referred to as…”.1

Umbrella

What may the Premature Ovarian Insufficiency (POI) Umbrella include?

Depending on the Source (DotS) this umbrella may include:

  • Premature Ovarian Failure (POF)
  • Premature Ovarian Insufficiency (POI)
  • Primary Ovarian Insufficiency (POI)

Premature Menopause

Is premature menopause the same as premature ovarian insufficiency (POI)?

No. In Primary Ovarian Insufficiency: Symptoms & Causes – Overview the (United States) Mayo Clinic note:

“Primary ovarian insufficiency is sometimes confused with premature menopause, but these conditions aren’t the same. Women with primary ovarian insufficiency can have irregular or occasional periods for years and might even get pregnant. But women with premature menopause stop having periods and can’t become pregnant”.2

Premature Ovarian Insufficiency (POI)

What is premature ovarian insufficiency (POI)?

DotS the definition of POI may vary. In Spontaneous Premature Ovarian Insufficiency: Definitions and Epidemiology the Australasian Menopause Society (AMS) elaborate on:

“Loss of ovarian function occurring in women younger than 40 years of age is called premature ovarian insufficiency (POI). POI may also be referred to as primary ovarian insufficiency, premature menopause or premature/ primary ovarian failure)”.3

In Primary Ovarian Insufficiency: Symptoms & Causes – Overview the Mayo Clinic’s definition is:

“Primary ovarian insufficiency occurs when the ovaries stop functioning as they should before age 40. When this happens, your ovaries don’t produce typical amounts of the hormone estrogen or release eggs regularly. This condition is also called premature ovarian failure and often leads to infertility”.4

POI Common or Not

How common is POI?

In Premature Ovarian Insufficiency: How Common Is Premature Ovarian Insufficiency? You and Your Hormones, An Education Resource From the (United States) Society for Endocrinology elaborate on:

“It is relatively uncommon, occurring in one in 1,000 women under the age of 30 years and 1-4% of women under the age of 40 years. Early menopause (less than 45 years) occurs in up to 12% of women”.5

POI and Periods

Can women with POI have periods?

In Menopause Before 40 and Spontaneous Premature Ovarian Insufficiency the AMS note:

“Women with spontaneous POI have irregular or no periods”.6

POI and Pregnancy

Can women with POI become pregnant?

In Premature and Early Menopause: What Causes Premature and Early Menopause? POI and Fertility the (Australian) Jean Hailes for Women’s Health explain:

“If you have been diagnosed with POI and do not want to become pregnant, you should use contraception. Many women are unable to conceive a baby naturally after POI; however, there is a one in 50 chance of a spontaneous pregnancy”.7

POI and Menopausal Symptoms

Can women with POI have menopausal symptoms?

In Menopause Before 40 and Spontaneous Premature Ovarian Insufficiency the AMS note:

“Women may or may not have menopausal symptoms such as hot flushes”.8

POI Symptoms

What may be POI symptoms?

In Premature Ovarian Insufficiency (POI): Summary – What Are the Symptoms of Primary Ovarian Insufficiency (POI)? according to the (United States) Medline Plus:

“The first sign of POI is usually irregular or missed periods. Later symptoms may be similar to those of natural menopause:

  • Hot flashes
  • Night sweats
  • Irritability
  • Poor concentration
  • Decreased sex drive
  • Pain during sex
  • Vaginal dryness

For many women with POI, trouble getting pregnant or infertility is the reason they go to their health care provider”.9

Hormone Therapy

For women with POI, what is one of the recommendations about hormone therapy of the Joint Position Statement By the British Menopause Society, Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and Society for Endocrinology on Best Practice Recommendations for the Care of Women Experiencing the Menopause?

On page two in the Joint Position Statement By the British Menopause Society, Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and Society for Endocrinology on Best Practice Recommendations for the Care of Women Experiencing the Menopause, first published online 10 June 2022, one of the recommendations is:

“Women with POI and early menopause (40–45 years old) should be advised that HRT is unlikely to increase risk of breast cancer in younger menopausal women under the age of 50. The meta-analysis by the Collaborative Group on Hormonal Factors in Breast Cancer in 2019 reported that the use of HRT in postmenopausal women younger than 50 increases the risk of breast cancer diagnosis which contradicts previous evidence and advice to date. However, the control group, of age-matched postmenopausal women was inappropriate as an early menopause reduces breast cancer risk. Current recommendations are that the risk of breast cancer in relation to the years of HRT exposure in women with POI/early menopause should be counted from the average age of natural menopause (from the age 50 years)”.10

What is another recommendation of the Joint Position Statement?

On page four in the Joint Position Statement another recommendation is:

“Women with POI and early menopause (40–45 years old) should be advised to take hormone replacement at least until the average age of the menopause”.11

Early Menopause: Women’s Experiences

What is the (Australian) Healthtalk Australia’s Early Menopause: Women’s Experiences?

In Early Menopause: Women’s Experiences – Overview Healthtalk Australia elaborate on:

“On this unique site you can read, watch and listen to stories of 30 women aged between 28 and 51 years, from diverse socio-cultural backgrounds living in Victoria, Australia, who have shared what it is like to experience early menopause (EM).

Women talked about being diagnosed with spontaneous early menopause, premature ovarian insufficiency (POI), medically-induced early menopause, or menopausal symptoms as a result of cancer and/or other medical treatments”.12

World Menopause Day 2020Premature Ovarian Insufficiency

What was the theme for World Menopause Day 2020?

The theme for World Menopause Day 2020 was Premature Ovarian Insufficiency (POI).

Health Care Provider

What if I think I have POI?

If you think you have POI it may be in your best interest to choose to talk to your health care provider about this.

On page of two of the IMS’s Patient Information Leaflet: Premature Ovarian Insufficiency (POI)? Can POI Symptoms Be Successfully Treated? the IMS note:

“Yes! Symptoms can be successfully treated with hormone therapy and managed with a healthy diet, regular exercise and emotional well-being”.13

In Primary Ovarian Insufficiency: Symptoms – When To See A Doctor the (United States) Mayo Clinic elaborate on:

“If you’ve missed your period for three months or more, see your health care provider to determine the cause. You can miss your period for a number of reasons — including pregnancy, stress, or a change in diet or exercise habits — but it’s best to get evaluated whenever your menstrual cycle changes.

Even if you don’t mind not having periods, it’s advisable to see your provider to find out what’s causing the change. Low estrogen levels can lead to bone loss and an increased risk of heart disease”.14

In Primary Ovarian Insufficiency: Treatment & Therapies the Endocrine Society explain:

“Treatment depends on whether you have symptoms or are at risk for serious health problems. Hormone therapy (HT) is the most common treatment. HT combines estrogen and progesterone, another sex hormone. HT relieves menopausal symptoms and also helps prevent osteoporosis. HT can be taken as a pill or applied to your skin as a patch. Vaginal rings can also supply estrogen to the body”.15

Health Topics A-Z

Where may I find Health Topics related to Premature Ovarian Insufficiency?

In Health Topics A-Z you may find:

Health Topics A-Z

Links

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New or Updated

  1. Askearlymenopause.org [Ask EM] [+ Video: What Is Early Menopause?]
  2. BMS TV: Premature Ovarian Insufficiency (POI)
  3. Bioidentical Hormones Explained – A British Menopause Society Video
  4. Bioidentical Hormones: Are They Safer?
  5. Can Combined Oral Contraceptive Be Used As A Hormone Therapy In Women With Premature Ovarian Insufficiency? [Video]
  6. Causes of Menopause
  7. Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) for Menopausal Symptoms
  8. Daisy Network
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  10. Dr Gail Busby – I Forgot To Ask the Doctor – Episode 9 The Menopause
  11. EMAS Menopause Essentials
  12. EMAS Replay [Webinars: Multiply Languages]
  13. ESHRE Guideline: Management of Women With Premature Ovarian Insufficiency
  14. Early Menopause: Women’s Experiences – Overview
  15. Early Menopause: Women’s Experiences – Resources and Information: Quick Links – 1. Question Prompt List
  16. Early Menopause: Women’s Experiences – Women’s Profiles
  17. Find A Menopause Practitioner [United States and Other]
  18. Find An AMS Doctor [Australasian Menopause Society i.e. Australia and New Zealand]
  19. Find Your Nearest BMS Menopause Specialist [British Menopause Society]
  20. Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH) Blood Test
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  22. Fragile X and Premature Ovarian Insufficiency Webinar
  23. Hormone Therapy: Is It Right for You?
  24. Hot Flashes
  25. Hot Flashes: What Can I Do? [+ Video: What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Menopause?]
  26. Is Premature Ovarian Insufficiency Associated With Mortality? A Three-Decade Follow-Up Cohort
  27. Later Years (Around 50 Years and Over): Menopause and Post Menopause Health – Early and Premature Menopause [+ Video: Menopause Only Happens In Your 50s]
  28. Looking After Yourself
  29. Luteinizing Hormone (LH) Levels Test
  30. Menopause Before 40 and Spontaneous Premature Ovarian InsufficiencyMaking Sense of Menopausal Hormone Therapy Means Understanding the Benefits As Well As the Risks
  31. Mayo Clinic Minute: Help With Hot Flashes Due To Menopause [+ Video]
  32. Mayo Clinic Minute: How Lifestyle Changes May Help Manage Menopause Symptoms [+ Video]
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  42. Menopause Preparedness Toolkit Video Series: Treating Vasomotor Symptoms of Menopause
  43. Menopause Preparedness Toolkit Video Series: Understanding Menstrual Health and Menopause
  44. Menopause Preparedness Toolkit: A Woman’s Empowerment Guide
  45. Menopause Ruining Your Sex Life?
  46. Menopause Symptoms: Mayo Clinic Expert Outlines Hormone and Nonhormonal Therapies
  47. Menopause Treatments: What Works, What Doesn’t
  48. Menopause: Diagnosis and Management – Information for the Public: Questions To Ask About Menopause [NICE Guideline]
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  50. N Z Early Menopause Support Group [New Zealand]
  51. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Herbs At A Glance
  52. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Menopausal Symptoms In Depth
  53. Navigating Menopause Together: How Partners Can Help
  54. Navigating Menopause: Expert Insights and Solutions | Dr Susan Davis | The Proof Podcast EP 245
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  56. Premature & Early Menopause – Fact Sheet
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  65. Premature and Early Menopause: What Causes Premature and Early Menopause? [+ Video]
  66. Primary Ovarian Insufficiency
  67. Primary Ovarian Insufficiency
  68. Primary Ovarian Insufficiency
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  70. Primary Ovarian Insufficiency: Diagnosis & Treatment – Coping and Support
  71. Primary Ovarian Insufficiency: Diagnosis & Treatment – Lifestyle and Home Remedies
  72. Primary Ovarian Insufficiency: Diagnosis & Treatment – Preparing For Your Appointment
  73. Primary Ovarian Insufficiency: Questions To Ask Your Healthcare Provider
  74. Primary Ovarian Insufficiency: Summary – How Is Primary Ovarian Insufficiency (POI) Diagnosed?
  75. Primary Ovarian Insufficiency: Summary – How Is Primary Ovarian Insufficiency (POI) Treated?
  76. Primary Ovarian Insufficiency: Summary – What Causes Primary Ovarian Insufficiency (POI)?
  77. Primary Ovarian Insufficiency: Symptoms & Causes – Causes [+ Video: Ovulation]
  78. Severe Menopause Symptoms Often Accompany Premature Ovarian Insufficiency
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  92. Videos and Podcasts: Videos – Interviews: Bone Health and Premature Ovarian Insufficiency
  93. Videos and Podcasts: Videos – Interviews: What Women Should Know About Menopause and Brain Fog
  94. Videos and Podcasts: Videos – Interviews: When Your Periods Leave Too Early
  95. Webinars: Previous – POI: A New Era World Menopause Day Theme
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  97. Webinars: Previous – The Early Menopausal Patient
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  100. Premature Ovarian InsufficiencyWorld Menopause Day 2020 – Patient Information Leaflet: Premature Ovarian Insufficiency (POI) [Multiply Languages]

Sources

Where may I find the Sources quoted?

You may find the Sources quoted at:

Sources

  1. Spontaneous Premature Ovarian Insufficiency: Definitions and Epidemiology. Content Updated: September 2020. Australasian Menopause Society https://www.menopause.org.au/hp/information-sheets/742-spontaneous-premature-ovarian-insufficiency Accessed: 08 February 2023
  2. Primary Ovarian Insufficiency: Symptoms – When To See A Doctor. 27 October 2021. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/premature-ovarian-failure/symptoms-causes/syc-20354683 Accessed: 08 February 2023
  3. Spontaneous Premature Ovarian Insufficiency: Definitions and Epidemiology. Content Updated: September 2020. Australasian Menopause Society https://www.menopause.org.au/hp/information-sheets/742-spontaneous-premature-ovarian-insufficiency Accessed: 08 February 2023
  4. Primary Ovarian Insufficiency: Symptoms – When To See A Doctor. 27 October 2021. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/premature-ovarian-failure/symptoms-causes/syc-20354683 Accessed: 08 February 2023
  5. Premature Ovarian Insufficiency: How Common Is Premature Ovarian Insufficiency. Last Reviewed: April 2022. You and Your Hormones, An Education Resource From the Society for Endocrinology https://www.yourhormones.info/endocrine-conditions/premature-ovarian-insufficiency/ Accessed: 08 February 2023
  6. Menopause Before 40 and Spontaneous Premature Ovarian Insufficiency. Content Updated: October 2020. Australasian Menopause Society https://www.menopause.org.au/health-info/fact-sheets/menopause-before-40-and-spontaneous-poi Accessed: 08 February 2023
  7. Premature and Early Menopause: What Causes Premature and Early Menopause? POI and Fertility. Last Updated: 08 September 2022. Last Reviewed: 19 August 2022. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/menopause/premature-early-menopause Accessed: 08 February 2023
  8. Menopause Before 40 and Spontaneous Premature Ovarian Insufficiency. Content Updated: October 2020. Australasian Menopause Society https://www.menopause.org.au/health-info/fact-sheets/menopause-before-40-and-spontaneous-poi Accessed: 08 February 2023
  9. Primary Ovarian Insufficiency: Summary – What Are the Symptoms of Primary Ovarian Insufficiency (POI)? Last Updated: 05 May 2022. MedlinePlus https://medlineplus.gov/primaryovarianinsufficiency.html Accessed: 08 February 2023
  10. Hamoda, H., Mukherjee, A., Morris, E., Baldeweg, S. E., Jayasena, C. N., Briggs, P., Moger, S. Joint Position Statement By the British Menopause Society, Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and Society for Endocrinology on Best Practice Recommendations for the Care of Women Experiencing the Menopause. First Published Online 10 June 2022:2. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/20533691221104879 Accessed: 08 February 2023
  11. Hamoda, H., Mukherjee, A., Morris, E., Baldeweg, S. E., Jayasena, C. N., Briggs, P., Moger, S. Joint Position Statement By the British Menopause Society, Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and Society for Endocrinology on Best Practice Recommendations for the Care of Women Experiencing the Menopause. First Published Online 10 June 2022:4. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/20533691221104879 Accessed: 08 February 2023
  12. Early Menopause: Women’s Experiences – Overview. Healthtalk Australia https://healthtalkaustralia.org/early-menopause-experiences-and-perspectives-of-women-and-health-professionals/overview-womens-experiences/ Accessed: 08 February 2023
  13. Patient Information Leaflet: Premature Ovarian Insufficiency (POI). 2020:2. International Menopause Society https://www.imsociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/wmd-2020-leaflet-english.pdf Accessed: 08 February 2023
  14. Primary Ovarian Insufficiency: Symptoms – When To See A Doctor. 27 October 2021. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/premature-ovarian-failure/symptoms-causes/syc-20354683 Accessed: 08 February 2023
  15. Primary Ovarian Insufficiency: How Is POI Treated? Last Updated: 24 January 2022. Endocrine Society https://www.endocrine.org/patient-engagement/endocrine-library/primary-ovarian-insuffiency Accessed: 08 February 2023
Topic Last Updated: 21 February 2023 – Topic Last Reviewed: 08 February 2023

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