Premature ovarian failure, estrogens

Kalantaridou S et al Premature ovarian failure, endothelial dysfunction, and estrogen-progesterone replacement. Trends Endocrinol Metab 2006 17 101. [PMID 16515863]... 

Disorders of the ovary such as premature ovarian failure (POP) and loss of ovarian function can cause amenorrhea. POF has been defined as failure of ovarian estrogen production occurring in a hypergonadotropic state at any age between menarche and age If the patient is... 

Menopause is defined as the permanent cessation of menstruation resulting from loss of ovarian follicular activity. The ovaries fail to produce adequate amounts of estrogen and inhibin and, as a result, gonadotropin production increases in a continued attempt to stimulate the ovary see Figure 53-14). The mean age of menopause in the United States is 51, but this age varies considerably. Ovarian failure may occur at any age, but menopause before age 40 is considered premature. ... 

Premature ovarian failure is a condition characterized by sex-steroid deficiency, amenorrhea, and infertility in women younger than 40 years of age. At one time, premature ovarian failure was considered irreversible and was described as premature menopause. Premature ovarian failure is not an early natural menopause. Normal menopause results from ovarian follicle depletion, whereas premature ovarian failure is characterized by intermittent ovarian function in one-half of affected women.These women produce estrogen intermittently and may ovulate despite the presence of high gonadotropin concentrations. Pregnancies have occurred in 5% to 10% of women after the diagnosis of premature ovarian failure—even in women with no follicles observed on ovarian biopsy. 

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