Diagnosis and management of premature ovarian failure

Key content: • Premature ovarian failure affects approximately 1 in 100 women before the age of 40 years. • Ninety percent of cases are idiopathic; the rest are due to autoimmune and chromosomal disorders and other rare syndromes. • The condition is usually permanent but ovarian activity can resume and fertility has been noted among 5–10% of women with the diagnosis. • Multidisciplinary management involving reproductive subspecialists, endocrinologists and psychologists should be considered. • The mainstay of treatment is appropriate counselling and support, discussion about hormone replacement therapy and reproductive health care, including contraception and fertility treatment.