Premature Ovarian Insufficiency (POI)

Gynaecology menu

Overview

Premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) is a condition in which the ovaries stop producing eggs before the age of 40. 

POI is the premature loss of eggs and their surrounding cells in the ovaries. POI affects up to two per cent of the population.

While the exact cause of POI is often unknown, you may be more likely to develop POI if the condition runs in your family. In 10 per cent of cases, POI is caused by genetic conditions, autoimmune diseases, and medical treatments such as chemotherapy or radiation therapy, surgery or infections.

POI can affect fertility. Your ability to conceive depends on your individual circumstances. In general, five to 10 percent of people with POI are able to get pregnant naturally. However, modern improvements to fertility medicine can help people with POI have a better chance of pregnancy.

Visit our Premature Ovarian Insufficiency (POI) Clinic for information about our clinic-based care.

For more information on POI, please visit the following websites:

Our care

Visit our Premature Ovarian Insufficiency (POI) Clinic for information about our clinic-based care.

This content is intended for informational purposes only and is not intended to be used or relied upon for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. It does not replace the need for consultation with a health-care professional. Please speak with your health-care professional for questions about your health.

Symptoms

The most common symptom of POI is the loss of your period or progressively lighter periods that are further apart. Other common symptoms may include the following:

Hot flashes
Night sweats
Vaginal dryness
Mood changes
Difficulty sleeping
Decreased sexual desire
Difficulty conceiving

Diagnosis

If you have symptoms of POI, a health-care provider can perform a pelvic exam and order blood tests to confirm the diagnosis.

Your health-care provider may also recommend an ultrasound to look at your ovaries and uterus for a more thorough evaluation. 

Treatment

Hormone therapy

The primary treatment for POI is hormone therapy. You may be prescribed hormone replacement therapy or the birth control pills to replace the hormones that are no longer being produced by the ovaries.

Hormone replacement therapy is extremely important for people under the age of 45 to prevent long-term heart and bone problems. It also provides relief from symptoms and improves quality of life.

Hormone replacement therapy for POI has few side effects and does not pose the same health concerns as hormone therapy used by older people. There is no evidence showing an increased risk of cancer in this age group because of hormone therapy. It is helpful to think of replacement therapy as therapy that replaces naturally occurring hormones in the same way insulin is replaced for diabetic patients.