Premature Ovarian Insufficiency

By definition, Premature Ovarian Insufficiency, previously known as Premature Ovarian Failure is considered the depletion or dysfunction of ovarian follicles in females at a younger age of 40 years of age [1]. Ovaries in their normal state have two primary functions:

  • To produce hormones for the female reproductive system
  • To control development, selection and the maturation of oocytes eventually to be fertilized.

This folliculogenesis begins at an early stage in-utero and later in puberty at the reproductive stage primordial follicles transform through a multi-step process into maturation and pre-ovulatory follicles [2].

The follicular development when it ceases to function properly leads to amenorrhoea (loss of menses) which can occur spontaneously or secondary to medical therapies. Women with POI present menstrual disturbances, menopausal symptoms, infertility and other psychosocial issues.

For a woman to be diagnosed with POI follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) that is produced in the pituitary gland needs to be measured on two occasions at least 4-6 weeks apart in a woman of lower than 40 years of age after a period of 4 months of amenorrhea or any kind of menstrual irregularity [3]. The FSH test is taken on the 2-3 day of the menstrual cycle to show us the efficiency of the ovaries.

POI affects 1% of the female population gradually increasing in the past years of the female population.

Spontaneous POI can be associated with chromosomal, genetic, environmental factors, autoimmune diseases (commonly adrenal or thyroid), various infections or even idiopathic [4].

Although a rare gynaecological condition women with POI are advised as a first line of treatment hormone replacement therapy (HRT) for this disorder though through the years new therapeutic approaches have surfaced with promising results. These new-generation therapies include in-vitro activation, mitochondrial activation technique, platelet-rich plasma intraovarian infusion, stem cells and exosomes therapy. Due to the fact that these methods are still in the experimental stage, precise design components are required for their conversion into clinical treatments. We bear a responsibility to every individual for selecting the best suitable therapy for each patient for the best possible outcome [5].

At IASO Medical Centre we provide the knowledge and a step-by-step guide as we go through all these therapies available.

At our Centre PRP and stem cells intraovarian infusion is provided in patients more suitable for these therapeutic approaches. From our experience, we have seen that each therapy needs to be discussed thoroughly with our doctors before applying either PRP or stem cell therapies in the ovaries or even the lining of the uterus (endometrium) so that we can get the best possible results. We are the first Medical Centre in Cyprus and Greece with intraovarian applications of mesenchymal stem cells retrieved from bone marrow or adipose tissues.

With extensive and continuous knowledge we will try to assist you. If you need any kind of assistance, please feel free to contact us and we are pleased to offer you the best services.

  1. https://www.acog.org/clinical/clinical-guidance/committee-opinion/articles/2014/07/primary-ovarian-insufficiency-in-adolescents-and-young-women
  2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK532300/
  3. https://www.racgp.org.au/afp/2017/june/premature-ovarian-insufficiency-in-general-practic
  4. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27008889/
  5. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35120535/

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