“Premature ovarian insufficiency (POI)
is a condition defined by
loss of ovarian activity before the age of 40 years”.1
Umbrella
What may the Premature Ovarian Insufficiency Umbrella include?
Depending on the Source (DotS) this umbrella may include:
- Impending Menopause
- Premature Ovarian Failure (POF)
- Premature Ovarian Insufficiency (POI)
- Primary Ovarian Insufficiency (POI)
Premature Ovarian Insufficiency
What is premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) or primary ovarian insufficiency?
DotS the definition of POI may vary. On page 26 in the Guideline on Premature Ovarian Insufficiency: Guideline Group Statement, published online 08 December 2024, the ESHRE, ASRM, CREWHIRL and IMS Guideline Group on POI’s definition is:

POI is characterised by amenorrhea or irregular menstrual cycles with elevated gonadotropins and low estradiol”.2
What is ESHRE, ASRM, CREWHIRL and IMS?
In the context above, these abbreviations stand for the:
Premature Menopause
Is premature menopause the same as POI?
In Primary Ovarian Insufficiency: Symptoms & Causes – Overview the (United States) Mayo Clinic note:
POI Common or Not
How common is POI?
In Premature Ovarian Insufficiency: How Common Is Premature Ovarian Insufficiency? You and Your Hormones, the (United States) Society for Endocrinology elaborate on:
POI and Periods
Can women with POI have periods?
In Menopause Before 40 and Spontaneous Premature Ovarian Insufficiency the Australasian Menopause Society (AMS) note:
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:
POI and Menopausal Symptoms
Can women with POI have menopausal symptoms?
In Menopause Before 40 and Spontaneous Premature Ovarian Insufficiency the AMS note:
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:
- 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”.8
Hormone Therapy
Is there a role for HT for women with POI?
In the British Menopause Society’s BMS Consensus Statement Premature Ovarian Insufficiency: Summary of Recommendations, reviewed March 2024, one of the recommendations is:
On page four of Menopause and Menopause Hormone Therapy: 2. What Is MHT? the International Menopause Society’s (IMS) Leaflet for Women for World Menopause Day 2024, the IMS note:

- Premature Ovarian Insufficiency: When menopause happens before the age of 40. Even if there are no symptoms, MHT helps protect against conditions like osteoporosis (weak bones), heart disease, and brain issues”.10
Chronic Disease
Is there an association between POI and chronic disease?
In Optimising Health After Early Menopause: Summary, published 05 March 2024, a paper included in The Lancet: Series From the Lancet Journal – Menopause 2024 also published on 05 March 2024, the authors note:
POI Guideline 2024
What is the POI Guideline published October 2024?
According to the International Menopause Society in Update of the 2015 Evidence Based Guideline on Premature Ovarian Insufficiency – Now Published:
In Guideline on Premature Ovarian Insufficiency the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE) explain:

In International Monash Partnership Announced for Premature Ovarian Insufficiency Guidelines, dated 10 December 2024, the authors elaborate on:
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:
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”.15
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.
In Primary Ovarian Insufficiency: Symptoms – When To See A Doctor the (United States) Mayo Clinic elaborate on:
Even if you don’t mind not having periods, see a health care professional to find out what’s causing the change. Low estrogen levels can lead to a condition that causes weak and brittle bones, called osteoporosis. Low levels of estrogen also can lead to heart disease”.16
Health Topics A-Z
Where may I find Health Topics A-Z related to Premature Ovarian Insufficiency?
In Health Topics A-Z you may find:
Links
Where may I find Links related to Premature Ovarian Insufficiency?
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Links
This Links List to third party websites is neither comprehensive nor exhaustive. Inclusion on this Links List does not imply endorsement or recommendation. Non-inclusion on this Links List does not imply non-endorsement or non-recommendation. Third party websites are not under the control of Meno Martha International Menopause Directory. Third party websites may contain explicit medical images and/or sexual references. Please read Meno Martha International Menopause Directory’s Links Policy before proceeding to a Link. Please contact Webmaster if you experience a problem with a Link.New or Updated
- Early Menopause and POI Resources
- Early Menopause and POI Resources: What Is POI?
- Early Menopause and POI Resources: What’s New – 10 New Things About POI
- Evidence-Based Guideline: Premature Ovarian Insufficiency [08 December 2024]
Guideline on Premature Ovarian Insufficiency
- Guideline on Premature Ovarian Insufficiency (POI)
- International Monash Partnership Announced for Premature Ovarian Insufficiency Guidelines [10 December 2024]
- New Guidelines Developed for the Diagnosis and Management of Premature Ovarian Insufficiency [09 December 2024]
- Webinars: Previous – The New POI Guideline: What You Need To Know [21 January 2025]
- Askearlymenopause.org [Ask EM] [+ Video: What Is Early Menopause?]
- BMS TV: Premature Ovarian Insufficiency (POI)
- Bioidentical Hormones: Are They Safer?
- Bone Health In Women With Premature Ovarian Insufficiency/Early Menopause: A 23-Year Longitudinal Analysis
- Breast Cancer Is Increased In Women With Primary Ovarian Insufficiency
- CREWHiRL [Center for Research Excellence In Women’s Health In Reproductive Life]
- Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) for Menopausal Symptoms
- Consumer Video and Podcast Series: 2023 Consumer Videos and Podcasts – Premature and Early Menopause
- Consumer Video and Podcast Series: 2024 Consumer Videos and Podcasts – Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Menopause
- Consumer Video and Podcast Series: 2024 Consumer Videos and Podcasts – Preparing for Your Menopause Health Care Visit
- Daisy Network
- Diagnostic Tests for Menopause
- EMAS On-Demand Webinars [European Menopause and Andropause Society] [Multiply Languages]: EMAS/ESE Webinar Part 1: Fertility In Late Reproductive Age [May 2024]
- ESHRE Guideline: Management of Women With Premature Ovarian Insufficiency
- Early Menopause Question Prompt List
- Early Menopause and POI Resources
- Early Menopause and POI Resources: What Is POI?
- Early Menopause and POI Resources: What’s New – 10 New Things About POI
- Early Menopause: Women’s Experiences – Overview
- Early Menopause: Women’s Experiences – Resources and Information: Quick Links – 1. Question Prompt List
- Evidence-Based Guideline: Premature Ovarian Insufficiency
- Find A Menopause Practitioner [United States and Other]
- Find An AMS Member [Australasian Menopause Society i.e. Australia and New Zealand]
- Find Your Nearest BMS Menopause Specialist [British Menopause Society]
Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH) Blood Test
- Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH) Levels Test
- Fragile X and Premature Ovarian Insufficiency Webinar
- Guideline on Premature Ovarian Insufficiency
- Guideline on Premature Ovarian Insufficiency (POI)
- Hot Flashes
- Hot Flashes: What Can I Do? [+ Video: What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Menopause?]
- Menopause: Information for Partners
- Is Premature Ovarian Insufficiency Associated With Mortality? A Three-Decade Follow-Up Cohort
- Landscape of Pathogenic Mutations In Premature Ovarian Insufficiency
- Later Years (Around 50 Years and Over): Menopause and Post Menopause Health – Early and Premature Menopause [+ Video: Menopause Only Happens In Your 50s]
- Luteinizing Hormone (LH) Levels Test
- Mayo Clinic Minute: Help With Hot Flashes Due To Menopause [+ Video]
- Mayo Clinic Minute: How Lifestyle Changes May Help Manage Menopause Symptoms [+ Video]
- Menopause
- Menopause
- Menopause Before 40 and Spontaneous Premature Ovarian Insufficiency
- Menopause Map: Downloadable Resources – My Personal Path Print Tools: Questions for Your Health Care Provider
- Menopause Map: Downloadable Resources – My Personal Path Print Tools: Symptom Tracker
- Menopause Mindfulness: Understanding the Many Paths To Menopause
Menopause Patient Information [Videos] 2. Talking To Your GP About Menopause
- Menopause Preparedness Toolkit: A Woman’s Empowerment Guide
- Menopause Ruining Your Sex Life?
- Menopause Symptoms: Mayo Clinic Expert Outlines Hormone and Nonhormonal Therapies
- Menopause and Mental Health
- Menopause: Identification and Management NICE Guideline Published: 12 November 2015 Last Updated: 07 November 2024
- Menopause: Identification and Management: NICE Guideline [NG23] Published: 12 November 2015 Last Updated: 07 November 2024
- Menopause: Understanding the Changes and Finding Relief | Dr Susan Davis | The Proof Podcast EP 256
- Menopauseinfo.org [Menopause Info, International Menopause Society]
- Menstrual Calendar
- N Z Early Menopause Support Group [New Zealand]
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Herbs At A Glance
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: How Safe Is This Product or Practice?
- Navigating Menopause Together: How Partners Can Help
- Navigating Menopause: Expert Insights and Solutions | Dr Susan Davis | The Proof Podcast EP 245
- New Guidelines Developed for the Diagnosis and Management of Premature Ovarian Insufficiency
- Nonhormone Treatments for Hot Flashes and Night Sweats
- Optimising Health After Early Menopause
- Premature Ovarian Insufficiency
- Premature Ovarian Insufficiency [BMS Consensus Statement [British Menopause Society]]
- Premature and Early Menopause
- Premature and Early Menopause
- Premature and Early Menopause
- Premature and Early Menopause: Managing Premature and Early Menopause
- Premature and Early Menopause: Symptoms of Premature and Early Menopause
- Premature and Early Menopause: What Causes Premature and Early Menopause? [+ Video]
- Primary Ovarian Insufficiency
- Primary Ovarian Insufficiency
- Primary Ovarian Insufficiency
- Primary Ovarian Insufficiency: A Toolkit for the Busy Clinician
- Primary Ovarian Insufficiency: Diagnosis & Treatment – Coping and Support
- Primary Ovarian Insufficiency: Diagnosis & Treatment – Lifestyle and Home Remedies
- Primary Ovarian Insufficiency: Diagnosis & Treatment – Preparing For Your Appointment
- Primary Ovarian Insufficiency: Summary – How Is Primary Ovarian Insufficiency (POI) Diagnosed?
- Primary Ovarian Insufficiency: Summary – How Is Primary Ovarian Insufficiency (POI) Treated?
- Primary Ovarian Insufficiency: Summary – What Causes Primary Ovarian Insufficiency (POI)?
- Primary Ovarian Insufficiency: Symptoms & Causes – Causes [+ Video: Ovulation]
- Spontaneous Premature Ovarian Insufficiency
- Supporting A Loved One Through Menopause
- The Association Between Primary Ovarian Insufficiency and Increased Multimorbidity In A Large Prospective Cohort
- The Truth About Menopause Supplements | Dr Sarah Berry
- Tips To Help Manage Menopause Symptoms
- Turner Syndrome
- Turner Syndrome
- Understanding Fragile X
- Update of the 2015 Evidence Based Guideline on Premature Ovarian Insufficiency – Now Published [31 October 2024]
- Video: With Menstrual Irregularity, Consider Primary Ovarian Insufficiency
- Videos & Podcasts: Videos – Impending Menopause: How Can Fertility Be Preserved?
- Videos & Podcasts: Videos – Menopause and Hormone Therapy: Current Perspectives and Controversies
- Videos and Podcasts: Videos – Bone Health and Premature Ovarian Insufficiency
- Videos and Podcasts: Videos – When Your Periods Leave Too Early
- Webinars: Previous – Genetic Causes of POI
- Webinars: Previous – The New POI Guideline: What You Need To Know
- When Menopause Comes Early: Symptoms & Treatment
- World Menopause Day 2024: Leaflet for Women – Menopause and Menopause Hormone Therapy
Sources
Where may I find the Sources quoted?
You may find the Sources quoted at:
Sources
- Panay, N., Anderson, R. A., Bennie, A., Cedars, M., Davies, M., … Vincent, A. J. (2024). Evidence-Based Guideline: Premature Ovarian Insufficiency. Published Online: 08 December 2024. Climacteric, 1–11 https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/13697137.2024.2423213 Accessed: 10 December 2024
- Panay, N., Anderson, R. A., Bennie, A., Cedars, M., Davies, M., … Vincent, A. J. (2024). Evidence-Based Guideline: Premature Ovarian Insufficiency. Published Online: 08 December 2024:26. Climacteric, 1–11 https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/13697137.2024.2423213 Accessed: 10 December 2024
- Primary Ovarian Insufficiency: Symptoms – When To See A Doctor. 20 October 2023. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/premature-ovarian-failure/symptoms-causes/syc-20354683 Accessed: 10 December 2024
- Premature Ovarian Insufficiency: How Common Is Premature Ovarian Insufficiency. Last Reviewed: June 2024. You and Your Hormones, An Education Resource From the Society for Endocrinology https://www.yourhormones.info/endocrine-conditions/premature-ovarian-insufficiency/ Accessed: 10 December 2024
- 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: 10 December 2024
- Premature and Early Menopause: What Causes Premature and Early Menopause? POI and Fertility. Last Updated: 28 August 2024. Last Reviewed: 19 August 2022. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/menopause/premature-early-menopause Accessed: 10 December 2024
- Menopause Before 40 and Spontaneous Premature Ovarian Insufficiency. Content Updated: 13 August 2024. Australasian Menopause Society https://www.menopause.org.au/health-info/fact-sheets/menopause-before-40-and-spontaneous-poi Accessed: 10 December 2024
- Primary Ovarian Insufficiency: Summary – What Are the Symptoms of Primary Ovarian Insufficiency (POI)? Last Updated: 05 May 2021. MedlinePlus https://medlineplus.gov/primaryovarianinsufficiency.html Accessed: 10 December 2024
- Premature Ovarian Insufficiency: Summary of Recommendations. Reviewed: March 2024. British Menopause Society https://thebms.org.uk/publications/consensus-statements/premature-ovarian-insufficiency/ Accessed: 10 December 2024
- Menopause and Menopause Hormone Therapy: 2. Who Is MHT? 2024:2. International Menopause Society https://www.imsociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/2024-WMD-Leaflet_English.pdf Accessed: 10 December 2024
- Mishra, G. D. et al. Optimising Health After Early Menopause: Summary. 05 March 2024 https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(23)02800-3/fulltext Accessed: 10 December 2024
- Update of the 2015 Evidence Based Guideline on Premature Ovarian Insufficiency – Now Published. 31 october 2024. International Menopause Society https://www.eshre.eu/Guidelines-and-Legal/Guidelines/Premature-ovarian-insufficiency Accessed: 10 December 2024
- ESHRE, ASRM, CREWHIRL and IMS Guideline Group on POI. Guideline on Premature Ovarian Insufficiency. https://www.eshre.eu/Guidelines-and-Legal/Guidelines/Premature-ovarian-insufficiency Accessed: 10 December 2024
- International Monash Partnership Announced for Premature Ovarian Insufficiency Guidelines. 10 December 2024 https://www.monash.edu/news/articles/international-monash-partnership-announced-premature-ovarian-insufficiency-guidelines Accessed: 10 December 2024
- 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: 10 December 2024
- Primary Ovarian Insufficiency: Symptoms – When To See A Doctor. 20 October 2023. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/premature-ovarian-failure/symptoms-causes/syc-20354683 Accessed: 10 December 2024