025.Ovaries: up in a POF of smoke

Abstract

Premature ovarian failure (POF) or premature menopause is a common disorder, defined by the occurrence of menopause under the age of 40 years and is characterised by amenorrhoea, hypoestrogenism and elevated gonadotrophins. Worldwide it affects 1% of all women and occurs in 0.1% before the age of 30 years. The major problems associated with POF are the loss of fertility at an early age and the psychological problems associated with this. In addition there are the physiological effects of reduced oestrogen, which include an increased risk of osteoporosis. POF is a heterogeneous disorder and the cause of most cases is unknown. A significant proportion (20-30%) of women with POF have a genetic ..