The terms 'primary ovarian insufficiency' and 'premature ovarian failure' have been used to describe situations in which a woman's ovaries stop functioning and stop producing hormones before the expected age, so menstrual periods stop.

'Primary ovarian insufficiency' and 'premature ovarian failure' are not synonymous with early menopause, as there is a very small possibility that ovarian function may spontaneously resume. In the majority of cases, though, ovarian function does not resume and for women in this situation menopause may be said to have occurred.

Primary ovarian insufficiency or premature ovarian failure occur in about one per cent of women (one in 100) before the age of 40.  Women with these conditions may present to their doctor with:

• Irregular periods including having gaps of some months between them
• Menopausal-like symptoms
• Inability to become pregnant
• Periods not returning after going off the pill

Very often the diagnosis takes some time to make, because early menopause may not be considered as a diagnosis, particularly if you are still having periods.

Diagnosis

It is important to explain all of your symptoms to your doctor, especially if your periods are irregular and if you are experiencing any of the symptoms suggestive of menopause. More...

Treatment

Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is recommended for women diagnosed with early menopause in order to replace the hormones the body is missing. More...

Further resources

Fact sheets

 Early and Premature Menopause 98.33 Kb

Content updated 16 December 2011