Highlights & Basics
- Cessation of menses for more than 1 year before 40 years of age secondary to loss of ovarian function.
- Symptoms include amenorrhea and symptoms of hypoestrogenism such as hot flashes, sleep disturbance, irritability, and vaginal dryness.
- Usually results in infertility, although spontaneous ovulation and pregnancy can occur rarely after its diagnosis.
- Differential diagnosis includes genetic/chromosomal abnormalities, autoimmune disorders, infections, and toxic and idiopathic causes.
- Screening for underlying medical conditions is recommended (as is karyotyping), especially in women younger than 30 years of age.
Quick Reference
History & Exam
Key Factors
Other Factors
Diagnostics Tests
Treatment Options
Definition
Epidemiology
Etiology
Pathophysiology
Citations
North American Menopause Society. Early menopause guidebook. 6th edition. Cleveland, OH: North American Menopause Society; 2006.
Chen H, Li J, Cui T, Hu L. Adjuvant gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogues for the prevention of chemotherapy induced premature ovarian failure in premenopausal women. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2011;(11):CD008018.[Abstract][Full Text]
The North American Menopause Society Advisory Panel. The 2022 hormone therapy position statement of The North American Menopause Society. Menopause. 2022 Jul 1;29(7):767-94.[Abstract]
Panzer C, Guay A. Testosterone replacement therapy in naturally and surgically menopausal women. J Sex Med. 2009 Jan;6(1):8-18.[Abstract]
van Kasteren YM, Schoemaker J. Premature ovarian failure: a systematic review on therapeutic interventions to restore ovarian function and achieve pregnancy. Hum Reprod Update. 1999 Sep-Oct;5(5):483-92.[Abstract]
Nelson LM. Clinical practice. Primary ovarian insufficiency. N Engl J Med. 2009 Feb 5;360(6):606-14.[Abstract]
Toulis KA, Tzellos T, Kouvelas D, et al. Gabapentin for the treatment of hot flashes in women with natural or tamoxifen-induced menopause: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Clin Ther. 2009 Feb;31(2):221-35.[Abstract]
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