Premature ovarian failure (POF), also known as primary ovarian insufficiency, is a condition characterized by loss of normal function of the ovaries before age 40. The ovaries stop producing normal levels of the hormone estrogen, which causes symptoms like irregular periods, infertility, and menopausal symptoms.
Some key points about POF:
- It affects roughly 1% of women under age 40. The cause is often unknown.
- The main symptom is irregular periods or missed periods, sometimes with hot flashes and other menopausal symptoms
- POF can cause infertility but pregnancy is still possible in some cases
- There is no cure, but hormone therapy with estrogen and progesterone can help relieve symptoms
- Emotional support is important when coping with this condition
If you've been diagnosed with POF, there are a few options to explore for managing your hormones and health:
- Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) with estrogen and progesterone can replace what your body is missing. This is crucial for protecting bone and heart health. HormoVital specializes in personalized bioidentical HRT to get your levels optimized.
- An IVF specialist may be able to help you get pregnant in some cases, depending on your exact ovarian function
- Focus on living a healthy lifestyle - eating nutritious foods, exercising regularly, limiting alcohol and managing stress
- Connect with support groups to know you're not alone
The emotional impact of POF can be as challenging as the physical symptoms. Allow yourself to grieve the loss of fertility and womanhood you expected. With support and proper treatment, most women go on to manage POF without major complications.
The key is working with a great doctor who understands your needs. The compassionate physicians at HormoVital can help create an individualized plan so you can feel like yourself again soon.