What happens differently in premature ovarian failure?
Premature ovarian failure — Comprehensive overview covers symptoms, treatment of loss of normal ovary function. Premature Ovarian Failure (POF), also known as premature ovarian insufficiency, primary ovarian insufficiency (this is the most accurate term as some women may still conceive), premature menopause, hypergonadotropic hypogonadism, is the loss of function of the ovaries before age 40
Currently, researchers are unable to pinpoint exactly what happens in premature ovarian failure to stop normal function of the ovaries in most cases. Remember that the FSH levels are high when the ovaries fail to produce enough estrogen. LH levels also stay high in many cases, even during the occasional times that follicles successfully grow. Mature follicles in the ovaries make estrogen, as well as other substances, including the protein inhibin. Because women with premature ovarian failure have low levels of estrogen, scientists are focusing their attention on the follicles in the ovary in their study of premature ovarian failure. Follicles in the ovaries start out as microscopic seeds, called primordial (pronounced prime-OR-dee-ul) follicles. These seeds are not yet follicles, but can grow into them. In general, a woman is born with about two million primordial follicles, which should be enough to last her until she goes through menopause. But this may not be the case for a woman wi