How is premature ovarian insufficiency treated?
Written by:Mr Mahantesh Karoshi, a revered London-based consultant gynaecologist and women’s health expert, is our latest medical expert to provide a detailed and informative article for Top Doctors. Here, find out what premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) is, how it affects pregnancy, and how effective hormone replacement therapy is as a treatment option for the condition.
What is premature ovarian insufficiency (POI)?
Premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) is a delicate medical problem that affects young women. It consists of light, short, or missing periods before the age of 40, characterised by elevated follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) cut-off value above 25 IU/L on two occasions that are more than four weeks apart, resulting in low oestradiol levels.
How common is the condition?
It affects about one to three per cent of women under the age of 40.
What are the known causes?
In the majority of cases, the cause is not known.
How does premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) affect pregnancy?
POI is a spectrum of declining ovarian function that leads to reduced pregnancy rates. This is due to a premature decrease in the number of initial follicles, but this delicate state is not permanent and is extremely changeable.
Intermittent or unpredictable ovarian function is present in many POI cases, and some follicles always remain, as do residual egg cells, that are capable of being recruited and fertilised.
How effective is hormone replacement therapy as a treatment option for POI?
Hormone replacement therapy is a crucial treatment strategy for women affected by POI, especially those who are seeking fertility. An adequate and individualised hormone therapy not only treats the consequences of oestrogen deficiency, but also enables recovery of one's overall ovarian function.
Hormone therapy has been demonstrated to have a positive effect on both folliculogenesis and pregnancy.
Mr Mahantesh Karoshi is a highly qualified and esteemed consultant gynaecologist who can expertly diagnose and treat premature ovarian insufficiency. Consult with him today by visiting his Top Doctors profile.
