A brief overview on premature ovarian failure

Abstract

Menopause is a physiological process that occurs approximately at the age of 51 where a female will no longer undergo menses due to the scarcity of ovarian follicles(1,2). However, in premature ovarian failure (POF) also known as premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) and hypergonadotropic ovarian failure, there is a significant decrease in ovarian function and substantial reduction in ovarian follicles after puberty and before the age of 40(3,4). Moraes-Ruehsen and Jones had first described this disease as non-physiological amenorrhoea in non-menopausal women and in 1950. Atria had recounted the characteristics that POI patients would present with, secondary to hypergonadotropic hypoestrogenism(5). Although, occasional resumption of ovarian function can be seen in such patients and spontaneous pregnancies can occur, being diagnosed with POF can have a mental and physical toll on one’s health(2,5).