Ovarian Insufficiency Follow-up
- Author: Vaishali Popat, MD, MPH; Chief Editor: Richard Scott Lucidi, MD more...
Further Outpatient Care
- See Treatment.
- Patients with ovarian failure should be seen annually to monitor their HT.
- Symptoms and signs of thyroid disease and adrenal insufficiency should be sought during the annual follow-up visits.
- TSH levels should be checked every 3-5 years (every year if antiperoxidase antibody test is positive).
- If a woman with POI/POF has positive adrenal antibodies on her initial evaluation, even if all adrenal function tests are normal, she is at high risk of developing adrenal insufficiency and should have an annual ACTH stimulation test. Whether women with initially negative adrenal antibody tests continue to carry higher than normal risk for adrenal insufficiency and whether any follow-up tests are justified is less clear. Until enough evidence is acquired, the authors suggest that an adrenal antibody test should be performed every 3-5 years.
- Patients with secondary ovarian failure should be monitored for manifestations of the underlying hypothalamic/pituitary pathology (progression of space-occupying lesions and development/progression of hypopituitarism).
Complications
Loss of menstrual regularity, even without the development of amenorrhea, has been associated with an increased risk of wrist and hip fractures related to reduced bone density. A later menarche and menstrual-cycle intervals greater than 32 days both have been associated with increased fracture rates in later years. Young women with ovarian insufficiency that is unresponsive to therapy require HT to maintain bone density.
Prognosis
- Women with spontaneous POI/POF have a low but real chance of spontaneous pregnancy. Approximately 5-10% become pregnant subsequent to the diagnosis of POI/POF. HT does not prevent such pregnancies. Paradoxically, even oral contraceptives, which are designed for pregnancy protection of women without ovarian abnormalities, may not suppress the rare spontaneous ovulations of women with POI/POF. Therefore, patients with POI/POF should be well instructed about their reproductive situation so that they can make informed decisions regarding fertility.
- Ovum donation remains the best current option to resolve the infertility, but patients with POI/POF should not be encouraged hastily because spontaneous pregnancy is a real possibility and ovum donation is as successful in older women as it is in younger women.
- The prognosis for women with secondary ovarian insufficiency depends on the etiology of the disorder (see Amenorrhea).
Patient Education
- Women with POI/POF should be educated on the nature of their disease and the current research efforts. The mere understanding of the problem helps patients cope better.
- For excellent patient education resources, visit eMedicine's Women's Health Center. Also, see eMedicine's patient education articles Female Sexual Problems, and Amenorrhea.
Bardoni B, Mandel JL, Fisch GS. FMR1 gene and fragile X syndrome. Am J Med Genet. Summer 2000;97(2):153-63. [Medline].
Kim TJ, Anasti JN, Flack MR, Kimzey LM, Defensor RA, Nelson LM. Routine endocrine screening for patients with karyotypically normal spontaneous premature ovarian failure. Obstet Gynecol. May 1997;89(5 Pt 1):777-9. [Medline].
Rebar RW, Connolly HV. Clinical features of young women with hypergonadotropic amenorrhea. Fertil Steril. May 1990;53(5):804-10. [Medline].
Committee opinion no. 502: primary ovarian insufficiency in the adolescent. Obstet Gynecol. Sep 2011;118(3):741-5. [Medline].
Snowdon DA, Kane RL, Beeson WL, et al. Is early natural menopause a biologic marker of health and aging?. Am J Public Health. Jun 1989;79(6):709-14. [Medline].
Popat VB, Calis KA, Vanderhoof VH, et al. Bone mineral density in estrogen-deficient young women. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. Jul 2009;94(7):2277-83. [Medline].
Nelson LM, Anasti JN, Kimzey LM, et al. Development of luteinized graafian follicles in patients with karyotypically normal spontaneous premature ovarian failure. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. Nov 1994;79(5):1470-5. [Medline].
Kalantaridou SN, Calis KA, Vanderhoof VH, et al. Testosterone deficiency in young women with 46,XX spontaneous premature ovarian failure. Fertil Steril. Nov 2006;86(5):1475-82. [Medline].
Adams Hillard PJ, Nelson LM. Adolescent girls, the menstrual cycle, and bone health. J Pediatr Endocrinol Metab. May 2003;16 Suppl 3:673-81. [Medline].
Adashi EY, Hennebold JD. Single-gene mutations resulting in reproductive dysfunction in women. N Engl J Med. Mar 4 1999;340(9):709-18. [Medline].
Alzubaidi NH, Chapin HL, Vanderhoof VH, Calis KA, Nelson LM. Meeting the needs of young women with secondary amenorrhea and spontaneous premature ovarian failure. Obstet Gynecol. May 2002;99(5 Pt 1):720-5. [Medline].
Anasti JN. Premature ovarian failure: an update. Fertil Steril. Jul 1998;70(1):1-15. [Medline].
Anasti JN, Adams S, Kimzey LM, Defensor RA, Zachary AA, Nelson LM. Karyotypically normal spontaneous premature ovarian failure: evaluation of association with the class II major histocompatibility complex. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. Mar 1994;78(3):722-3. [Medline].
Anasti JN, Kalantaridou SN, Kimzey LM, Defensor RA, Nelson LM. Bone loss in young women with karyotypically normal spontaneous premature ovarian failure. Obstet Gynecol. Jan 1998;91(1):12-5. [Medline].
Armstrong AY, Calis KA, Nelson LM. Do survivors of childhood cancer have an increased incidence of primary ovarian insufficiency?. Nat Clin Pract Endocrinol Metab. Apr 2007;3(4):326-7. [Medline].
Bakalov VK, Anasti JN, Calis KA, et al. Autoimmune oophoritis as a mechanism of follicular dysfunction in women with 46,XX spontaneous premature ovarian failure. Fertil Steril. Oct 2005;84(4):958-65. [Medline].
Bakalov VK, Vanderhoof VH, Bondy CA, Nelson LM. Adrenal antibodies detect asymptomatic auto-immune adrenal insufficiency in young women with spontaneous premature ovarian failure. Hum Reprod. Aug 2002;17(8):2096-100. [Medline].
Bannatyne P, Russell P, Shearman RP. Autoimmune oophoritis: a clinicopathologic assessment of 12 cases. Int J Gynecol Pathol. 1990;9(3):191-207. [Medline].
Belvisi L, Bombelli F, Sironi L, Doldi N. Organ-specific autoimmunity in patients with premature ovarian failure. J Endocrinol Invest. Dec 1993;16(11):889-92. [Medline].
Betterle C, Rossi A, Dalla Pria S, et al. Premature ovarian failure: autoimmunity and natural history. Clin Endocrinol (Oxf). Jul 1993;39(1):35-43. [Medline].
Betterle C, Volpato M. Adrenal and ovarian autoimmunity. Eur J Endocrinol. Jan 1998;138(1):16-25. [Medline].
Biscotti CV, Hart WR, Lucas JG. Cystic ovarian enlargement resulting from autoimmune oophoritis. Obstet Gynecol. Sep 1989;74(3 Pt 2):492-5. [Medline].
Bondy CA, Nelson LM, Kalantaridou SN. The genetic origins of ovarian failure. J Womens Health. Dec 1998;7(10):1225-9. [Medline].
Byrne J. Infertility and premature menopause in childhood cancer survivors. Med Pediatr Oncol. Jul 1999;33(1):24-8. [Medline].
Cameron IT, O'Shea FC, Rolland JM, Hughes EG, de Kretser DM, Healy DL. Occult ovarian failure: a syndrome of infertility, regular menses, and elevated follicle-stimulating hormone concentrations. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. Dec 1988;67(6):1190-4. [Medline].
Check JH, Nowroozi K, Chase JS, Nazari A, Shapse D, Vaze M. Ovulation induction and pregnancies in 100 consecutive women with hypergonadotropic amenorrhea. Fertil Steril. May 1990;53(5):811-6. [Medline].
Chen S, Sawicka J, Betterle C, et al. Autoantibodies to steroidogenic enzymes in autoimmune polyglandular syndrome, Addison's disease, and premature ovarian failure. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. May 1996;81(5):1871-6. [Medline].
Christin-Maitre S, Vasseur C, Portnoï MF, Bouchard P. Genes and premature ovarian failure. Mol Cell Endocrinol. Oct 25 1998;145(1-2):75-80. [Medline].
Conway GS, Kaltsas G, Patel A, Davies MC, Jacobs HS. Characterization of idiopathic premature ovarian failure. Fertil Steril. Feb 1996;65(2):337-41. [Medline].
Coope J. Hormonal and non-hormonal interventions for menopausal symptoms. Maturitas. Mar 1996;23(2):159-68. [Medline].
Corrigan EC, Raygada MJ, Vanderhoof VH, Nelson LM. A woman with spontaneous premature ovarian failure gives birth to a child with fragile X syndrome. Fertil Steril. Nov 2005;84(5):1508. [Medline].
Coulam CB, Adamson SC, Annegers JF. Incidence of premature ovarian failure. Obstet Gynecol. Apr 1986;67(4):604-6. [Medline].
Davis SR. Premature ovarian failure. Maturitas. Feb 1996;23(1):1-8. [Medline].
Fanchin R, de Ziegler D, Olivennes F, Taieb J, Dzik A, Frydman R. Exogenous follicle stimulating hormone ovarian reserve test (EFORT): a simple and reliable screening test for detecting 'poor responders' in in-vitro fertilization. Hum Reprod. Sep 1994;9(9):1607-11. [Medline].
Farhi J, Homburg R, Ferber A, Orvieto R, Ben Rafael Z. Non-response to ovarian stimulation in normogonadotrophic, normogonadal women: a clinical sign of impending onset of ovarian failure pre-empting the rise in basal follicle stimulating hormone levels. Hum Reprod. Feb 1997;12(2):241-3. [Medline].
Fenichel P, Sosset C, Barbarino-Monnier P, et al. Prevalence, specificity and significance of ovarian antibodies during spontaneous premature ovarian failure. Hum Reprod. Dec 1997;12(12):2623-8. [Medline].
Finer N, Fogelman I, Bottazzo G. Pregnancy in a woman with premature ovarian failure. Postgrad Med J. Dec 1985;61(722):1079-80. [Medline].
Fiumara A, Sorge G, Toscano A, Parano E, Pavone L, Opitz JM. Perrault syndrome: evidence for progressive nervous system involvement. Am J Med Genet A. Jul 30 2004;128A(3):246-9. [Medline].
Garguillo AR, Hill JA. Autoimmune endocrinopathies in female reproductive dysfunction. In: Volpe R, ed. Contemporary Endocrinology: Autoimmune Endocrinopathies. Totowa , NJ: Humana Press; 1999:365-91.
Gordon CM, Nelson LM. Amenorrhea and bone health in adolescents and young women. Curr Opin Obstet Gynecol. Oct 2003;15(5):377-84. [Medline].
Hagerman RJ, Hagerman PJ. The fragile X premutation: into the phenotypic fold. Curr Opin Genet Dev. Jun 2002;12(3):278-83. [Medline].
Hagerman RJ, Leavitt BR, Farzin F, et al. Fragile-X-associated tremor/ataxia syndrome (FXTAS) in females with the FMR1 premutation. Am J Hum Genet. May 2004;74(5):1051-6. [Medline].
Hoek A, Schoemaker J, Drexhage HA. Premature ovarian failure and ovarian autoimmunity. Endocr Rev. Feb 1997;18(1):107-34. [Medline].
Johnson J, Canning J, Kaneko T, Pru JK, Tilly JL. Germline stem cells and follicular renewal in the postnatal mammalian ovary. Nature. Mar 11 2004;428(6979):145-50. [Medline].
Kalantaridou SN, Braddock DT, Patronas NJ, Nelson LM. Treatment of autoimmune premature ovarian failure. Hum Reprod. Jul 1999;14(7):1777-82. [Medline].
Kalantaridou SN, Calis KA, Vanderhoof VH, et al. Testosterone deficiency in young women with 46,XX spontaneous premature ovarian failure. Fertil Steril. Nov 2006;86(5):1475-82. [Medline].
Kalantaridou SN, Davis SR, Nelson LM. Premature ovarian failure. Endocrinol Metab Clin North Am. Dec 1998;27(4):989-1006. [Medline].
Kalantaridou SN, Naka KK, Papanikolaou E, et al. Impaired endothelial function in young women with premature ovarian failure: normalization with hormone therapy. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. Aug 2004;89(8):3907-13. [Medline].
Koh JM, Kim CH, Hong SK, et al. Primary ovarian failure caused by a solvent containing 2-bromopropane. Eur J Endocrinol. May 1998;138(5):554-6. [Medline].
LaBarbera AR, Miller MM, Ober C, Rebar RW. Autoimmune etiology in premature ovarian failure. Am J Reprod Immunol Microbiol. Mar 1988;16(3):115-22. [Medline].
Lonsdale RN, Roberts PF, Trowell JE. Autoimmune oophoritis associated with polycystic ovaries. Histopathology. Jul 1991;19(1):77-81. [Medline].
Luborsky JL, Visintin I, Boyers S, Asari T, Caldwell B, DeCherney A. Ovarian antibodies detected by immobilized antigen immunoassay in patients with premature ovarian failure. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. Jan 1990;70(1):69-75. [Medline].
McConkie-Rosell A, Abrams L, Finucane B, et al. Recommendations from multi-disciplinary focus groups on cascade testing and genetic counseling for fragile X-associated disorders. J Genet Couns. Oct 2007;16(5):593-606. [Medline].
Meyers CM, Boughman JA, Rivas M, Wilroy RS, Simpson JL. Gonadal (ovarian) dysgenesis in 46,XX individuals: frequency of the autosomal recessive form. Am J Med Genet. Jun 28 1996;63(4):518-24. [Medline].
Miller ME, Chatten J. Ovarian changes in ataxia telangiectasia. Acta Paediatr Scand. Sep 1967;56(5):559-61. [Medline].
Münster K, Helm P, Schmidt L. Secondary amenorrhoea: prevalence and medical contact--a cross-sectional study from a Danish county. Br J Obstet Gynaecol. May 1992;99(5):430-3. [Medline].
Namnoum AB, Merriam GR, Moses AM, Levine MA. Reproductive dysfunction in women with Albright's hereditary osteodystrophy. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. Mar 1998;83(3):824-9. [Medline].
Navot D, Rosenwaks Z, Margalioth EJ. Prognostic assessment of female fecundity. Lancet. Sep 19 1987;2(8560):645-7. [Medline].
Nelson LM, Anasti JN, Flack MR. Premature ovarian failure. In: Adashi EY, Rock JA, Rosenwaks Z, eds. Reproductive Endocrinology, Surgery, and Technology. 2. Philadelphia, Pa: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 1995:1393-410.
Nelson LM, Anasti JN, Flack MR. Premature ovarian failure. In: Adashi E, ed. Reproductive Endocrinology, Surgery, and Technology. Philadelphia , Pa: Raven Press; 1996:1394-410.
Nelson LM, Anasti JN, Kimzey LM, et al. Development of luteinized graafian follicles in patients with karyotypically normal spontaneous premature ovarian failure. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. Nov 1994;79(5):1470-5. [Medline].
Nelson LM, Bakalov VK. Mechanisms of follicular dysfunction in 46,XX spontaneous premature ovarian failure. Endocrinol Metab Clin North Am. Sep 2003;32(3):613-37. [Medline].
Nelson LM, Bakalov VK. Mechanisms of follicular dysfunction in 46,XX spontaneous premature ovarian failure. Endocrinol Metab Clin North Am. Sep 2003;32(3):613-37. [Medline].
Nelson LM, Covington SN, Rebar RW. An update: spontaneous premature ovarian failure is not an early menopause. Fertil Steril. May 2005;83(5):1327-32. [Medline].
Nelson LM, Kimzey LM, White BJ, Merriam GR. Gonadotropin suppression for the treatment of karyotypically normal spontaneous premature ovarian failure: a controlled trial. Fertil Steril. Jan 1992;57(1):50-5. [Medline].
Novosad JA, Kalantaridou SN, Tong ZB, Nelson LM. Ovarian antibodies as detected by indirect immunofluorescence are unreliable in the diagnosis of autoimmune premature ovarian failure: a controlled evaluation. BMC Womens Health. Mar 17 2003;3(1):2. [Medline].
Novosad JA, Kalantaridou SN, Tong ZB, Nelson LM. Ovarian antibodies as detected by indirect immunofluorescence are unreliable in the diagnosis of autoimmune premature ovarian failure: a controlled evaluation. BMC Womens Health. Mar 17 2003;3(1):2. [Medline].
Prior JC, Vigna YM, Schechter MT, Burgess AE. Spinal bone loss and ovulatory disturbances. N Engl J Med. Nov 1 1990;323(18):1221-7. [Medline].
Prueitt RL, Zinn AR. A fork in the road to fertility. Nat Genet. Feb 2001;27(2):132-4. [Medline].
Rebar RW, Cedars MI. Hypergonadotropic forms of amenorrhea in young women. Endocrinol Metab Clin North Am. Mar 1992;21(1):173-91. [Medline].
Rebar RW, Morandini IC, Erickson GF, Petze JE. The hormonal basis of reproductive defects in athymic mice: diminished gonadotropin concentrations in prepubertal females. Endocrinology. Jan 1981;108(1):120-6. [Medline].
Rosen GF, Stone SC, Yee B. Ovulation induction in women with premature ovarian failure: a prospective, crossover study. Fertil Steril. Feb 1992;57(2):448-9. [Medline].
Schwartz CE, Dean J, Howard-Peebles PN, et al. Obstetrical and gynecological complications in fragile X carriers: a multicenter study. Am J Med Genet. Jul 15 1994;51(4):400-2. [Medline].
Sedmak DD, Hart WR, Tubbs RR. Autoimmune oophoritis: a histopathologic study of involved ovaries with immunologic characterization of the mononuclear cell infiltrate. Int J Gynecol Pathol. 1987;6(1):73-81. [Medline].
Sharf M, Israeli I, Graff G. The value of ovarian biopsy in the diagnosis and treatment of amenorrhea-related sterility. Obstet Gynecol. Jan 1972;39(1):89-94. [Medline].
Simpson JL, Rajkovic A. Ovarian differentiation and gonadal failure. Am J Med Genet. Dec 29 1999;89(4):186-200. [Medline].
Sklar C. Reproductive physiology and treatment-related loss of sex hormone production. Med Pediatr Oncol. Jul 1999;33(1):2-8. [Medline].
Smith JA, Vitale S, Reed GF, et al. Dry eye signs and symptoms in women with premature ovarian failure. Arch Ophthalmol. Feb 2004;122(2):151-6. [Medline].
Smith JA, Vitale S, Reed GF, et al. Dry eye signs and symptoms in women with premature ovarian failure. Arch Ophthalmol. Feb 2004;122(2):151-6. [Medline].
Taylor AE, Adams JM, Mulder JE, Martin KA, Sluss PM, Crowley WF Jr. A randomized, controlled trial of estradiol replacement therapy in women with hypergonadotropic amenorrhea. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. Oct 1996;81(10):3615-21. [Medline].
Thomas MA, Rebar RW. Delayed puberty in girls and primary amenorrhea. Curr Ther Endocrinol Metab. 1997;6:223-6. [Medline].
Tong ZB, Nelson LM. A mouse gene encoding an oocyte antigen associated with autoimmune premature ovarian failure. Endocrinology. Aug 1999;140(8):3720-6. [Medline].
Tung KS, Lu CY. Immunologic basis of reproductive failure. Monogr Pathol. 1991;308-33. [Medline].
van Kasteren YM, Schoemaker J. Premature ovarian failure: a systematic review on therapeutic interventions to restore ovarian function and achieve pregnancy. Hum Reprod Update. Sep-Oct 1999;5(5):483-92. [Medline].
Ventura JL, Fitzgerald OR, Koziol DE, et al. Functional well-being is positively correlated with spiritual well-being in women who have spontaneous premature ovarian failure. Fertil Steril. Mar 2007;87(3):584-90. [Medline].
Wittenberger MD, Hagerman RJ, Sherman SL, et al. The FMR1 premutation and reproduction. Fertil Steril. Mar 2007;87(3):456-65. [Medline].
Yan G, Schoenfeld D, Penney C, Hurxthal K, Taylor AE, Faustman D. Identification of premature ovarian failure patients with underlying autoimmunity. J Womens Health Gend Based Med. Apr 2000;9(3):275-87. [Medline].
Zarate A, Karchmer S, Gomez E, Castelazo-Ayala L. Premature menopause. A clinical, histologic, and cytogenetic study. Am J Obstet Gynecol. Jan 1 1970;106(1):110-4. [Medline].
| Ovarian Clinical Situation | Menses | Gonadotropins | Fertility |
| Occult insufficiency | Normal | Normal | Reduced |
| Biochemical insufficiency | Abnormal | Elevated | Reduced |
| Overt insufficiency | Abnormal | Elevated | Reduced |
| Premature ovarian failure | Absent | Elevated | Zero |

