A GP guide to loss of ovarian function in younger women
Premature ovarian insufficiency and early menopause are increasingly common and cause long-term comorbidity if unrecognised or undertreated
Premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) is defined as loss of ovarian function before age 40, and early menopause (EM) as menopause occurring between the ages of 40 and 44.
A recent meta-analysis indicates POI and EM are more common than originally thought, affecting 3.7% and 12.2% of women respectively.1
Increasing cancer survivorship means there are more people living with POI/EM.
Causes of POI are shown in table 1, although idiopathic POI is the most common diagnosis. Chromosomal, monosomic and polygenic genetic causes are associated with POI, with over 70 genes identified that may underlie the idiopathic POI diagnosis.
