Primary Ovarian Insufficiency (POI)

My periods have stopped! Is it ‘Premature Menopause’?
All About Primary Ovarian Insufficiency (POI)

If you’re reading this article, it likely means that your periods have become irregular or stopped completely (even though you are not pregnant) – and you are wondering what’s going on with your menstrual cycles.

Perimenopause is the time in a woman’s life when her female hormone production starts to decline – and her periods may or may not start to become irregular. Perimenopause usually begins around age 40 to 44. Menopause marks the end of woman’s reproductive years when her periods stop completely. Menopause usually occurs around the age of 50.

But when a woman of childbearing age (under age 40) is not pregnant and her periods stop, it is often referred to as “premature menopause”. Getting to the root of premature menopause can take some detective work by your OBGYN – but the good news is that in most cases it is treatable at AHA Women’s Health in Dearborn and Lincoln Park!

Primary Ovarian Insufficiency (POI)

Premature Menopause is medically called Primary Ovarian Insufficiency, or ‘POI’ for short. POI is a condition in which a woman’s body produces lower-than-normal amounts of estrogen. This disorder mimics perimenopause – causing irregular (or stopped) periods. It may also lead to the other symptoms of perimenopause, including hot flashes, vaginal dryness, painful intercourse, mood swings, sleep disorders and many other symptoms of estrogen deficiency.

Because estrogen helps protect a woman’s body against osteoporosis, cardiac disease, high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes, POI can also result in many of the same serious diseases as menopause.

Also, women suffering from Primary Ovarian Insufficiency (POI) are almost always unable to become pregnant through natural means. Of course, this is extremely troubling to women of childbearing years who still want to have a child.

So, as you can see, Primary Ovarian Insufficiency (POI) is a serious disorder that needs to be addressed with your OBGYN, to prevent long term health complications. If you live in the greater Dearborn or Lincoln Park area, and your periods have become irregular or stopped before the age of 40, schedule an appointment at AHA Women’s Health as soon as possible.

In many cases, our caring OBGYNs can prescribe estrogen/progesterone replacement, to help restore your reproductive function, reduce the annoying symptoms of POI, and prevent serious health problems from developing due to hormone deficiency.

Symptoms of Primary Ovarian Insufficiency (POI)

Because Primary Ovarian Insufficiency (POI) causes the same hormone deficiencies as perimenopause, it also causes many of the same symptoms of perimenopause. There are actually 36 common symptoms of POI – the of most common include:

• Irregular or missed periods
• Hot flashes / “hot flushes” / night sweats
• Sleep difficulties
• Mood swings / irritability
• Difficulty focusing, concentrating, or remembering things
• Loss of interest in sex (decreased sex drive – “low libido”)
• Painful intercourse
• Vaginal itching and/or dryness
• Infertility

Diagnosing Primary Ovarian Insufficiency (POI) 

Doctors usually consider four or more consecutive missed or irregular periods a possible indication of POI. If you are under 40 and you have missed 4 periods (and you are not pregnant) it is time to schedule an examination at AHA Women’s Health in Dearborn or Lincoln Park.

Primary Ovarian Insufficiency (POI) is typically diagnosed with comprehensive blood testing that can determine a woman’s hormone levels and identify and hormone deficiencies. Blood test OBGYNs used to identify Primary Ovarian Insufficiency include evaluation of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels and estrogen levels.

Causes of “Premature Menopause” (Primary Ovarian Insufficiency)

A woman’s endocrine system, which produces and distributes hormones, is extremely complex. So, it is not surprising that there are many possible factors that can cause a decrease or complete stop in female hormones production prior to perimenopause.

Hereditary disorders, environmental exposures, and some diseases can all reduce adequate hormone production before the normal age of perimenopause.

Some of the most common causes of “Premature Menopause” (Primary Ovarian Insufficiency) are:

• Genetic disorders, including:
  • Fragile X syndrome
  • Turner syndrome
• Some medical treatments
  • Chemotherapy
  • Radiation therapy
  • Some medications
• Low number of ovarian follicles
• Disease & illness
  • Certain autoimmune diseases (e.g. Addison’s disease)
  • Thyroiditis / Thyroid Disorders
  • Viral infections
  • Metabolic disorder
• Toxins
  • Cigarettes
  • Chemical exposure
  • Pesticides
• Other undetermined causes

Treating Primary Ovarian Insufficiency (POI)

Unfortunately, it is not always possible to restore normal function to a woman’s ovaries and “restart” her hormone production. Unfortunately, in some cases, once the damage is done it cannot be reversed.

However, the good news is that hormone replacement therapy (HRT) can be used to replace the hormones that the woman’s body no longer makes. Hormone replacement can both alleviate the symptoms of Primary Ovarian Insufficiency (POI) as well as reduce the health risks that the deficiency of estrogen and progesterone can cause.

Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) is the most commonly prescribed treatment for POI because it replaces the estrogen and other hormones that the ovaries are not making with hormones derived from natural sources. Bioidentical hormones replicate the molecular structure of the hormones produced by the human body than synthetic hormones. This makes them safer and more effective than man-made hormones that were created in a lab.

In addition to alleviating the annoying symptoms of POI, such as hot flashes and night sweats, hormone replacement therapy can also improve sexual comfort and drive, and decrease the risk of heart attacks, stroke, high blood pressure, and osteoporosis in women who are suffering from Primary Ovarian Insufficiency.

And, for women dealing with infertility caused by Primary Ovarian Insufficiency, bioidentical hormone replacement therapy can often restore ovulation and regular menstrual cycles – enabling women to become pregnant.

POI | OBGYNS | Dearborn & Lincoln Park

If you are a woman of childbearing age who is experiencing symptoms of “early menopause” you may be suffering from POI. If so, it is important schedule a consultation with your OBGYN as soon as possible, for accurate diagnosis and treatment.

BHRT can provide natural, safe, and effective treatment for managing the symptoms of Primary Ovarian Insufficiency. And, in a large number of cases, bioidentical hormone replacement therapy can restore regular ovulation and menstruation to help improve the chances of conceiving, in spite of POI.

Schedule and appointment with our caring OBGYNs and women’s healthcare specialist at AHA Women’s Health in Dearborn or Lincoln Park – and take the first step to taking control of your health.

Primary Ovarian Insufficiency (POI): 313-388-4247

..
IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER: This article is provided as general information only and is not intended to be used as medical advice. While the benefits of bioidentical hormone replacement are well established through clinical research, we are not representing that BHRT is a “cure” for POI or any disease. Only your OBGYN can diagnose your condition and determine which treatments will be a beneficial part of your healthcare.