Premature Ovarian Insufficiency

Approximately 1 in 100 women will experience menopause before the age of 40 years, 1 in 1000 before the age of 30 and 1 in 10,000 before the age of 20.

It is strongly recommended that these women have hormone replacement therapy (to levels that would normally be produced by the ovaries) to control symptoms, reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and osteoporosis, as well as to maintain sexual and cognitive function. HRT should be continued till at least to the average natural age of menopause (51). Menopausal symptoms experienced by women with POI may vary in intensity and can be intermittent due to fluctuation in ovarian activity. The combined contraceptive pill would be a suitable option for hormone replacement for younger women but HRT would give better bone and heart protection.

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