Premature Ovarian insufficiency (Early Menopause) is a condition where ovaries stop producing hormones and releasing eggs before the age of 40. In Majority of ladies, we don’t know why the ovaries have stopped functioning i.e. the cause is unknown. Uncommonly there may be problem with woman’s chromosome which can be investigated by doing a blood test and checking the karyotype. One of the other conditions that can cause ovarian insufficiency is history of removal of the ovaries surgically. With regards to the lack of hormones, the patient can have hormone replacement therapy. With regards to the lack of eggs, patient would benefit from egg donation programmes.
Ovulation problems can be the cause of infertility. There are three different types of ovulations problems
- Difficulty of the ovaries to release eggs (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome)
In this condition, there are so many eggs and follicles in both ovaries. The problem is the release of eggs. This can be treated by ovulation inductions or IVF depending on age, history and presence of male factor problems.
- Absence of eggs in ovaries (Early Menopause)
In this condition, there is no egg in ovaries to be released, therefore egg donation is the only treatment.
- Lack of communication between brain and the ovaries (hypothalamic hypopituitary hypogonadism also known as Hypo-Hypo)
Normally brain communicates to the ovaries via hormones to release an egg each month. In this condition, this doesn’t happen. Most often there is no reason to be found and the treatment is with "ovulation induction" or IVF.