Primary Ovarian Insufficiency (POI) involves a premature depletion or dysfunction of the ovaries before the age of 40, resulting in irregular periods or absent menstrual periods and reduced fertility. POI significantly affects female fertility as it diminishes the quantity and quality of eggs available for fertilization.Primary ovarian insufficiency (POI), also known as premature ovarian failure, occurs when a woman’s ovaries stop working properly before age 40. Women with POI have fewer eggs, or the eggs fail to release properly.
POI can cause infertility. Because the ovaries are not working consistently, a person with POI is unlikely to be able to get pregnant naturally. However, some people continue to have intermittent periods for some time, during which it may be possible to get pregnant.
Other possible symptoms of POI include:
- Irregular menstrual cycles
- Vaginal dryness
- Irritability
In most cases, healthcare providers don’t know why POI happens. Spontaneous POI is not an uncommon condition, affecting approximately 0.3% to 1.1% of reproductive-age women.
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