J Korean Soc Menopause.  2011 Dec;17(3):160-165. 10.6118/jksm.2011.17.3.160.

Retrospective Multicenter Study on Clinical Aspects in Premature Ovarian Failure

• Huh JS
• Seo SK
• Kim MR
• Chung HW
• Yoon BK
• Lee BS
• Kang BM
• Choi H
• Park HM
• Kim JG
• The Study Group of Menopause

• KMID: 1444805
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.6118/jksm.2011.17.3.160

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
Premature ovarian failure (POF) is a syndrome defined as the cessation of ovarian function before the age of 40 years that is characterized by amenorrhoea associated with elevated gonadotropin levels. The aim of this study was to compare clinical manifestation of primary amenorrhea and secondary amenorrhea group.
METHODS
This study was designed as a retrospective multicenter study of 262 women with premature ovarian failure. Sixty eight women with primary amenorrhea and 194 women with secondary amenorrhea were evaluated and hormonal level, lipid profile, bone mineral density, and pregnancy rates were compared.
RESULTS
The estradiol level was markedly lower in primary amenorrhea than secondary amenorrhea. The pregnancy rate of 43.3% before the diagnosis in secondary amenorrhea was markedly higher than the rate of 0% in primary amenorrhea. The pregnancy rates after treatment was 5.9% in primary amenorrhea, but 1.0% after diagnosis and 2.8% after treatment in secondary amenorrhea. The pregnancy rate after hormonal treatment was 3.7% in total, 8.3% in primary amenorrhea, and 2.8% in secondary amenorrhea. In nine cases of pregnancy, seven cases were after estrogen-progestin (EP), one case was after clomiphene citrate and one case was after EP/human menopausal gonodotropin (hMG). And In nine cases of pregnancy, six cases resulted from oocyte donation. The prevalence of osteopenia/osteoporosis was markedly higher in primary amenorrhea than in secondary amenorrhea.
CONCLUSION
Premature ovarian failure has negative influences on the physical and psychological health of young patients. Effective management should include earlier diagnosis and intensive medical intervention to relieve symptoms of estrogen deficiency and to treat long-term disease such as osteoporosis and in assisted pregnancy by oocyte donation.

Keyword

Premature ovarian failure; Primary amenorrhea; Secondary amenorrhea

MeSH Terms

Amenorrhea
Bone Density
Clomiphene
Estradiol
Estrogens
Female
Gonadotropins
Humans
Oocyte Donation
Osteoporosis
Pregnancy
Pregnancy Rate
Prevalence
Primary Ovarian Insufficiency
Retrospective Studies
Clomiphene
Estradiol
Estrogens
Gonadotropins

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