title: Primary ovarian insufficiency: a more accurate term for premature ovarian failure.
abstract: Premature ovarian failure (POF) is a disorder with a complicated clinical presentation and course that is poorly defined by its name. A more scientifically accurate term for the disorder is primary ovarian insufficiency (POI), a term that can be appropriately modified to describe the state of ovarian function. In recent years, the known aetiologies of POI have expanded, although the cause of POI in a majority of clinical cases remains undefined. The most common aetiologies should be ruled out clinically including chromosomal abnormalities, fragile X premutations and autoimmune causes. Management should be directed at symptom resolution and bone protection, but most importantly should include psychosocial support for women facing this devastating diagnosis.
authors.affiliation: Reproductive Endocrine Unit, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA. cwelt@partners.org
authors.forename: Corrine K
authors.initials: CK
authors.lastname: Welt
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016649:Primary Ovarian Insufficiency / Q000209:etiology* / Q000235:genetics / Q000503:physiopathology*