Premature Ovarian Insufficiency and Autoimmune diseases

Publication date: Available online 29 July 2019Source: Best Practice & Research Clinical Obstetrics & GynaecologyAuthor(s): Noam Domniz, Dror MeirovAbstractPremature ovarian insufficiency (POI) is a clinical syndrome defined by loss of ovarian activity before the age of 40 years and has a potentially devastating effect upon woman's health, physically and psychologically. An underlying autoimmune disease has been identified at approximately 20% of POI patients, the most common of which are disorders of the thyroid and adrenals. Nevertheless, in the majority of cases, the etiology is unknown., the damage mechanism to the ovary, is usually caused by antibodies and autoimmune POI is usually characterized by cellular infiltration of the theca cells of growing follicles by various inflammatory cells. Yet, other various factors and proteins of unknown clinical significance are present.The major diagnostic tool for otherwise idiopathic POI is the presence of auto antibodies against various ovarian components that strongly supports the option of an autoimmune etiology of POI.Treatment of the underlying cause of POI is the main strategy although immunosuppressive therapy should be considered in a selected population of well-defined autoimmune POI and as in idiopathic POI, in whom the resumption of ovarian activity is possible.

Source: Best Practice and Research Clinical Obstetrics and Gynaecology - July 29, 2019 Category: OBGYN Source Type: research