Primary Ovarian Insufficiency can affect women of any race or ethnicity, although it’s relatively rare. Typically, it occurs before the age of 40, but it can also develop in the teenage years. It’s crucial to understand that women with POI can experience various symptoms and may have different experiences, making it important to seek appropriate medical attention.Primary ovarian insufficiency (POI), also known as premature ovarian failure, occurs when a woman’s ovaries stop working normally before age 40.
Some causes of POI include:
- Genetic conditions, such as Turner syndrome, Fragile X syndrome, or galactosemia
- Infections that damage the ovaries, such as mumps
- Problems with hormones that regulate the ovaries, such as follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)
- Surgery on the ovaries
Psychological stress, such as chronic anxiety, sadness, fear, and other negative emotions can also lead to POI.
The most widely utilized criterion for a diagnosis of POI is an FSH greater than 40 IU/L, measured on at least two occasions, which should be four weeks apart.