Premature ovarian failure, often referred to as premature ovarian failure (POF), is a condition that affects a woman's reproductive health. Normally, women enter perimenopause between the ages of 45 and 55 with a natural decline in ovarian function. However, if ovarian dysfunction, abnormal or stopped menstrual cycles, and low estrogen levels occur before the age of 40, it may indicate premature ovarian failure. This not only accelerates the physiological aging process, but also greatly reduces fertility.
1. The irreversibility of premature ovarian failure
The essence of ovarian failure is the depletion of egg cells, which is an irreversible process. A woman is born with a fixed number of egg cells, usually between 2 million and 3 million. As we age, the number of these egg cells continues to decrease. By the time puberty is reached, the stock of egg cells drops to hundreds of thousands on average. Only one egg reaches maturity and ovulate each month. Therefore, once the ovarian function is impaired, there is no way to recover.
2. Premature ovarian failure
Premature ovarian failure** requires comprehensive management, mainly including:
Estrogen replacement**: By supplementing natural or near-natural estrogen, it relieves symptoms caused by low estrogen levels and protects organs such as cardiovascular, bones, and reproductive tract.
Nutritional supplementation: Increase calcium intake, maintain a balanced diet, and ensure adequate intake of carbohydrates, fats, proteins, and vitamins.
TCM Assist**: Combined with Western medicine**, using traditional Chinese medicine theory to regulate kidney deficiency, spleen and kidney deficiency, yin and yang deficiency, etc.
Exercise regularly: Helps prevent osteoporosis and cardiovascular disease, reduces menopausal symptoms.
3. Premature ovarian failure and fertility
For patients with premature ovarian failure who still wish to have children, there is still some chance despite the lower fertility rate. Younger patients have a better chance of having children. Methods include estrogen replacement to restore ovulation and assisted reproductive technologies such as IVF. At the same time, new technologies such as ovarian transplantation and egg freezing resuscitation are in the research stage, which may provide more fertility options for patients with premature ovarian failure in the future.