title: Reversal of premature ovarian failure in a patient with Sjögren syndrome using an elimination diet protocol.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Premature ovarian failure is diagnosed with a picture of amenorrhea, elevated follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and age under 40 years. Twenty percent (20%) of patients with premature ovarian failure have a concomitant autoimmune disease. Cases of premature ovarian failure associated with Sjögren syndrome have been reported in the literature.
  
  
  METHODS
  We report a case of a 42-year-old white woman with Sjögren syndrome and premature ovarian failure who underwent a reversal of her premature ovarian failure and restoration of normal menses using an elimination diet protocol. The patient was diagnosed with her rheumatological condition in 2005 and started on disease-modifying antirheumatoid drugs, which were taken intermittently due to a concern over medication side-effects. Her menses became irregular at the time of initial diagnosis and finally ceased in 2006, with a dramatic elevation in her FSH, indicative of autoimmune-induced premature ovarian failure. In March 2009, she commenced an elimination diet protocol, eliminating gluten, beef, eggs, dairy products, nightshade vegetables, refined sugars, and citrus fruit for 4 months.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Her repeat laboratory tests after 4 months showed a drop in FSH from 88 to 6.5 and a drop in erythrocyte sedimentation rate from 40 to 16. Her menses also resumed and her rheumatological symptoms significantly improved.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  It is hypothesized that the restoration of normal menses was caused by reduced inflammation in the ovarian tissue and supports the hypothesis that the gut immune system can influence autoimmune disease and inflammation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Integrative Medicine, Stamford Hospital, Stamford, CT 06902, USA. jfeuerstein@stamhealth.org
authors.forename: Joe
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Feuerstein
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000568:Amenorrhea / Q000178:diet therapy / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D016649:Primary Ovarian Insufficiency / Q000178:diet therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D012859:Sjogren's Syndrome / Q000150:complications / Q000178:diet therapy*
chemical_list: D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone