Ovary premature failure

Estrogens have been used extensively for replacement therapy in estrogen-deficient patients. The estrogen deficiency may be due to primary failure of development of the ovaries, premature menopause, castration, or menopause. 

Ovaries Turner s syndrome Gonadal dysgenesis Premature ovarian failure Chemotherapy/radiation Lack of ovarian follicles Other genetic anomalies Early loss of follicles Gonadal toxins... 

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. ... 

Results from randomized trials of hormone therapy in postmenopausal women cannot be extrapolated to premenopausal women with ovarian dysfunction. Women with premature ovarian failure (i.e., those younger than 40 years of age) need exogenous sex steroids to compensate for the decreased production by their ovaries. 

Although the age at menarche has declined steadily throughout the centuries, probably a result of improved nutrition, the age at menopause onset appears to be relatively stable. However, on average, cigarette smokers experience menopause 2 years earlier than nonsmokers. Women who have undergone hysterectomy also are more likely to have an earlier menopause despite preservation of then-ovaries. Approximately 1% of women develop ovarian failure before the age of 40 years (premature menopause or premature ovarian failure). ... 

---