Premature Ovarian Failure (POF) (cont.)
Are there associated disorders or conditions associated with primary ovarian insufficiency?
Because POI results in lower levels of certain hormones, women with POI are at greater risk for a number of health conditions, including:
- Osteoporosis. The hormone estrogen helps keep bones strong. Without enough estrogen, women with POI often develop osteoporosis. Osteoporosis is a bone disease that causes weak, brittle bones that are more likely to break and fracture.1
- Low thyroid function. This problem also is called hypothyroidism (pronounced hahy-puh-THAHY-roi-diz-uhm). The thyroid is a gland that makes hormones that control your body's metabolism and energy level. Low levels of the hormones made by the thyroid can affect your metabolism and can cause very low energy and mental sluggishness.
Cold feet and constipation are also features of low thyroid function. Researchers estimate that between 14% and 27% of women with POI also have low thyroid function.4
- Anxiety and depression. Hormonal changes caused by POI can contribute to anxiety or lead to depression.16 Women diagnosed with POI can be shy, anxious in social settings, and may have low self-esteem more often than women without POI.4 It is possible that depression may contribute to POI.16
- Cardiovascular (heart) disease. Lower levels of estrogen, as seen in POI, can affect the muscles lining the arteries and can increase the buildup of cholesterol in the arteries. Both factors increase the risk of atherosclerosis (pronounced ath-uh-roh-skluh-ROH-sis) - or hardening of the arteries - which can slow or block the flow of blood to the heart. Women with POI have higher rates of illness and death from heart disease than do women without POI.1,6,11
- Dry eye syndrome and ocular (eye) surface disease. Some women with POI have one of these conditions, which cause discomfort and may lead to blurred vision.4 If not treated, these conditions can cause permanent eye damage.
Addison's disease is also associated with POI. Addison's disease is a life-threatening condition that affects the adrenal glands, which produce hormones that help the body respond to physical stress, such as illness and injury. These hormones also affect ovary function.14 About 3% of women with POI have Addison's disease.15
Medically Reviewed by a Doctor on 4/12/2013
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