It is known as primary ovarian insufficiency when the ovaries stop functioning normally before the age of forty. The ovaries stop producing eggs regularly and the normal amounts of the hormone estrogen are produced. Infertility is a common result of the illness. KD Blossom is a gynecology hospital in Ahmedabad whose experienced team of doctors is well-prepared for handling such delicate cases. Premature ovarian insufficiency is another term for primary ovarian insufficiency. Premature ovarian failure was another word for it, but it is no longer in use.
Primary ovarian insufficiency and premature menopause can occasionally be misdiagnosed. They're not the same, though. For years, people with primary ovarian insufficiency may experience sporadic or irregular periods. They may even become pregnant. However, those who experience early menopause cease to have menstruation and are unable to conceive.
In patients with primary ovarian insufficiency, estrogen levels can be restored with treatment. This helps prevent heart disease and weak, brittle bones, two diseases that can result from insufficient estrogen.
What Are The Symptoms?
Primary ovarian insufficiency presents with symptoms similar to low estrogen or menopause. Among them are:
missing or irregular periods. This is a symptom that could last for years. It may also appear with a miscarriage or the discontinuation of birth control medications.
- Having difficulties becoming pregnant.
- Sweats at night and hot flashes.
- Dryness in the vagina.
- Anger, sadness, or unease.
- Difficulty concentrating or remembering.
- A reduced sex drive.
What Are The Causes?
Causes of primary ovarian insufficiency include:
- Chromosome Changes: Genes are located within thread-like structures called chromosomes. People who are born with two X chromosomes often have two X chromosomes in their cells. However, some individuals with primary ovarian insufficiency have one X chromosome that is normal and one that is mutated. This may indicate the presence of hereditary diseases like mosaic Turner syndrome. The X chromosomes of some individuals with primary ovarian insufficiency are brittle and break easily. We refer to this as fragile X syndrome.
- Toxins: The most common causes of toxin-induced ovarian insufficiency include radiation therapy and chemotherapy. These therapies have the potential to harm cells' genetic material. Ovarian insufficiency may be accelerated by additional pollutants such as chemicals, herbicides, cigarette smoke, and viruses.
- An Immune System Response To Ovarian Tissue: Another name for this is autoimmune illness. In this uncommon variant, defense proteins produced by the immune system inadvertently target ovarian tissue. Follicles, which are ovaries' sacs that each hold an egg, are harmed by this. It harms the egg as well. It's unclear what sets off the immunological response. However, contracting a virus could be a factor.
- Unknown Factors: Primary ovarian insufficiency typically has an unclear etiology. This may be referred to as an idiopathic cause. Further tests to try to identify the cause can be suggested by your healthcare provider.
Risk Factors
The following variables increase the likelihood of primary ovarian insufficiency:
- Age: Ages 35 to 40 are when the risk increases. Before the age of 30, primary ovarian insufficiency is uncommon. However, younger folks—even teenagers—can understand it.
- Family History: The likelihood of developing primary ovarian insufficiency is increased in families with a history of the illness.
- Ovarian Surgery: Primary ovarian insufficiency is more likely to occur after ovarian surgeries.
What Are The Complications?
Among the additional medical disorders that primary ovarian insufficiency can cause are the following:
- Infertility: One of the complications of primary ovarian insufficiency might be infertility. Pregnancy is rarely feasible until the body runs out of eggs.
- Osteoporosis: Because of this disorder, bones become brittle, weak, and more prone to breaking. Osteoporosis is more common in women with low amounts of the hormone estrogen. This is so because estrogen maintains strong bones.
- Depression Or Anxiety: Primary ovarian insufficiency might cause some people to experience anxiety or depression. The possibility of infertility and other disorders brought on by low estrogen levels may be the cause of this.
- Heart Or Blood Vessel Disease: The risk of heart problems or stroke may increase with early estrogen reduction.
- Dementia: This is the name given to a collection of symptoms affecting social skills, memory, and thought processes. In individuals under 43, having both ovaries removed and without receiving estrogen therapy subsequently may increase the risk of dementia.
- Parkinson’s Disease: The neurological system, which includes the brain and spinal cord, is impacted by this chronic illness. It also affects bodily components that are nerve-controlled. Surgery to remove the ovaries may potentially be associated with an increased incidence of Parkinson's disease.
Preventing these additional health issues is aided by treatment for basic ovarian insufficiency.
Conclusion
Consult your healthcare team to determine the reason if you haven't had your period in three months or longer. Numerous factors can cause you to miss your period, including pregnancy, stress, dietary or activity changes, and more. However, it's advisable to visit your doctor if your menstrual cycle alters.
Low estrogen levels can lead to osteoporosis and heart disease. Visit a medical practitioner to determine the cause of the change in periods, even if you don't mind not getting them.
