Impact Of Premature Ovarian Insufficiency (POI) On Women’s Fertility
Premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) is a rare illness in which a woman's ovaries stop producing eggs before the age of 40 due to insufficient estrogen levels.
Premature ovarian insufficiency condition is usually mistaken for premature menopause, but both situations are distinct. Women going through premature ovarian failure experience menstrual cycles periodically, and even have the ability to get pregnant.
Contrarily, women who experience early menopause are unable to conceive and do not have menstrual cycles. Any women who have early ovarian failure either acquire it by birth or during their teenage years. Further, read this complete article to learn how premature ovarian insufficiency impacts your fertility.
Causes of Primary Ovarian Insufficiency
- Chromosome Shifts - Some genetic conditions are linked with premature ovarian insufficiency. In these conditions, you have one normal X chromosome and one mutated X chromosome, and the X chromosomes are brittle and shatter easily (fragile X syndrome).
- Toxins - Chemo, and radiation therapy are typical reasons for the toxin-induced ovarian loss. These therapies can harm genetic material in cells. Other poisons such as cigarettes, chemicals, pesticides, and viruses also contribute to ovarian failure.
- Autoimmune Disease - In this infrequent condition, your immune system creates antibodies against your ovarian tissue and damages egg-containing follicles and eggs. What activates the immune system’s reaction to ovarian tissue is murky, but vulnerability to a virus is one prospect.
- Unknown Aspects - The reason for the primary ovarian deficiency is frequently unknown. Your doctor might suggest you do further testing to discover the cause, but in numerous cases, the cause remains imprecise.
Other possible causes of POI can include thyroid ailment, infections that can harm the ovaries like mumps, surgery on the ovaries, family history, and age.
Complications That Occur Due to POI
- Infertility - Primary ovarian insufficiency can lead to complications of incapacity to get pregnant. In some cases, pregnancy might probable until the eggs are finished.
- Osteoporosis - Women who have low estrogen levels have an improved stake in generating weak bones (osteoporosis) since estrogen helps maintain strong bones.
- Anxiety - The threat of infertility and other difficulties growing due to low estrogen levels drives some women to get depressed or worried.
- Heart Illness - Premature loss of estrogen can improve your risk of heart ailments.
Symptoms of Primary Ovarian Deficiency
- Irregular or missed periods
- A problem in getting pregnant
- Hot flashes
- Sweats in night
- Dryness in vagina
- Dry eyes
- Crankiness
- Lack of concentration
- Reduced sexual desire
- Rare or no symptoms of puberty as a teenager
- Hurtful sex because of thinning of the vaginal lining
While some women with POI can notice symptoms, numerous do not. They might not learn that they have POI until they try for pregnancy or stop using birth control methods.
Diagnosis for POI
To diagnose POI, your doctor might watch your medical history and the results of some hormone tests such as follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), antimüllerian hormone (AMH), and estrogen.
Also, a doctor can perform a physical examination and if required he might suggest genetic testing to watch if you have a mutation that might be causing POI, such as Fragile X syndrome or Turner syndrome.
Moreover, the doctor can do a pelvic ultrasound to check your ovaries and for other possible causes of missed periods. You should consult with a gynecologist who is proficient in reproductive endocrinology to get the right POI diagnosis.
Treatment for Premature Ovarian Insufficiency
After performing the required diagnosis for POI, your doctor might suggest the following treatments.
- Your doctor can advise hormone replacement therapy (HRT) to decrease the signs of POI. If you wish to become pregnant with POI, doctors might discuss several options for you like IVF, IUI, egg donor, etc.
- Medications can also help in stimulating the boost or release of your eggs, such as clomiphene citrate or gonadotropins. Though, if it is difficult for you to conceive using your own eggs then a doctor can suggest you use an egg donor.
Lifestyle and Home Cures
- You should eat a calcium-rich diet to keep your bones strong.
- Do weight-bearing workouts like walking
- Do muscle training workouts for your upper body
- Quit smoking
- Ask your doctor if you require calcium and vitamin D supplements
- Avoid contact with harmful pesticides, and viruses that may exacerbate POI
- Get a vaccination for viruses, such as mumps
- Acquire emotional support from online or offline support groups
- Prefer counseling or therapy from a specialist, helping other women with fertility concerns
When Should you See a Doctor?
When you notice symptoms, such as hot flashes, night sweats, or skipped periods for more than three months so it's the right time to consult your health care provider to learn the cause.
You might skip your period for several reasons like pregnancy, tension, or a modification in diet or workout habits. But it's best to know the reason whenever you notice changes in your menstrual cycle.
It's a good idea to visit your physician to figure out what's producing the shift, even if you don't mind not having periods. Reduced bone mass and an elevated risk of heart disease can result from low estrogen levels.
Conclusion
Are you also going through POI and worried about your fertility? Then contact us today. Antenate will help you in taking the correct medications and the hormone treatment that could decrease symptoms you may be experiencing.
Moreover, you can learn more information about premature ovarian insufficiency illness from our Fertility Connoisseur & Gynecologist, Dr. Shesha Sinha, who will guide you in taking the right steps to treat such a condition.
