Diagnoses of premature ovarian failure

Question 1

Diagnosis features of premature ovarian insufficiency under the age of 40

Answer 1

• Menopausal symptoms, including no or infrequent periods (taking into account whether the woman has a uterus)
• Elevated FSH levels on 2 blood samples taken 4–6 weeks apart.
• Do not diagnose premature ovarian insufficiency on the basis of a single blood test.
• Do not routinely use anti-Müllerian hormone testing to diagnose premature ovarian insufficiency.

Question 2

Managing premature ovarian insufficiency

Answer 2

• Offer sex steroid replacement with a choice of HRT or a combined hormonal contraceptive to women with premature ovarian insufficiency, unless contraindicated
• HRT may have a beneficial effect on blood pressure when compared with a combined oral contraceptive
• that both HRT and combined oral contraceptives offer bone protection
• HRT is not a contraceptive