Premature Ovarian Failure

Diagnosis

The diagnosis of premature ovarian failure is made based on a blood test for follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). Patients with FSH levels above 40.0 mIU/mL (a post-menopausal level) are diagnosed with POF, while patients with elevated FSH levels that do not exceed this threshold should be diagnosed with premature ovarian aging (POA).

"We've helped many women who were misdiagnosed with POF get pregnant with their own eggs."

Dr. Norbert Gleicher

Unfortunately, POF is commonly misdiagnosed. We find that many patients who come to us with this diagnosis actually are suffering from premature ovarian aging (POA),premature ovarian aging (POA), a treatable cause of infertility.

While these two conditions sound similar, correct distinction between POF and POA is crucial. Women with POA can often get pregnant using their own eggs. In fact, CHR physicians and other reports in the medical literature show remarkably good pregnancy results in women with even severe POA (with DHEADHEA supplementation and proactive ovarian stimulationovarian stimulation ). However, for women with true POF, the chances of pregnancy with their own eggs remain quite small. Pregnancy attempts in POF, therefore, always involve experimental treatments, as no effective treatment has so far been established for POF patients.

Last Updated: November 15, 2014