What is premature ovarian failure?
In case your ovary losses the ability to function properly prior the age of forty, the condition is called premature ovarian failure. Such a failure causes the ovary to halt the release of eggs at regular basis, whilst disturbing the normal production of hormone estrogen. A common complication of premature ovarian failure is infertility in the long run.
Females suffering from the condition may experience occasional or irregular menstrual periods, however may get pregnant. Its treatment involves restoring the levels of estrogen. This helps preventing few of is associated complications, for example osteoporosis, though treating infertility is difficult.
What are the symptoms of premature ovarian failure?
Few common symptoms of premature ovarian failure include:
- Amenorrhea– skipped or irregular menstrual periods.
- Decreased sex drive.
- Hot flashes.
- Difficulty concentrating.
- Vaginal dryness.
- Irritability.
- Night sweats.
What causes premature ovarian failure?
Normally, in females with ovarian function, pituitary gland excretes specific hormones during menstrual cycle, that causes few eggs in their ovaries to start maturing. These eggs tend to contain follicles- sacs filled by fluid. Every sac matures every month. Mature follicle breaks open, discharging an egg. This egg then travels into their fallopian tube, a place where a sperm cell may fertilize it, resulting pregnancy. Follicle disruption or depletion, any of the process, can cause premature ovarian failure.
What are the risk factors of premature ovarian failure?
Certain factors known to increase the chances of premature ovarian failure are:
- In case of having family history of the condition.
- It is more observed between the ages of 35-40.
What are the potential complications of premature ovarian failure?
Few complications linked with premature ovarian failure include:
- Osteoporosis.
- Infertility.
- Anxiety or depression.
How is premature ovarian failure diagnosed?
In order to diagnose the condition, the doctor will need details if the patient has exposed to any type of toxins for example radiation therapy or chemotherapy as these causes injury to the eggs and follicles. Moreover, the doctor will also need to know regarding the patient’s menstrual cycle and symptoms. In most instances, females experience some symptoms of the condition, thus the doctor can conduct a physical examination, which includes pelvic exam.
Furthermore, he or she can also suggest any or more of the following tests:
- Karyotype.
- FMR1 gene testing.
- Prolactin test.
- Estradiol test.
- Follicle-stimulating hormone test.
- Pregnancy test.
How is premature ovarian failure diagnosed?
Treating the condition can help a female manage her signs and symptoms. However, till date, there tends to be no particular treatment of premature ovarian failure that enables the ovaries to begin work properly. The doctor can prescribe medications such as hormone therapy or estrogen in order to help the patient with hot flashes.
In addition to this, early bone damage can be prevented by hormone therapy. Diagnosed with premature ovarian failure can lead anxiety and depression for females who wishes to get pregnant.
By : Natural Health News
