Abnormal menstruation under 40? It may be a warning sign of premature ovarian failure

Premature ovarian failure, commonly known as premature ovarian failure (POF), is a condition that affects women's reproductive health. Normally, women enter perimenopause between the ages of 45 and 55, and their ovarian function naturally declines. However, if ovarian function declines before the age of 40, menstrual cycles become abnormal or stop, and estrogen levels decrease, it may indicate premature ovarian failure. This not only accelerates the physiological aging process, but also greatly reduces fertility.

1. Irreversibility of premature ovarian failure

The essence of ovarian failure is the depletion of egg cells, which is an irreversible process. Women are born with a fixed number of eggs, usually between 2 and 3 million. As they age, these numbers continue to decrease. By the time they reach puberty, the number of egg cells has dropped to an average of several hundred thousand. Only one egg matures and is ovulated each month. Therefore, once ovarian function is damaged, it cannot be restored.

2. Treatment of premature ovarian failure

The treatment of premature ovarian failure requires comprehensive management, mainly including:

Estrogen replacement therapy : By supplementing natural or near-natural estrogen, it can relieve symptoms caused by low estrogen levels and protect organs such as the cardiovascular system, bones, and reproductive tract.

Nutritional supplementation : Increase calcium intake, maintain a balanced diet, and ensure adequate intake of carbohydrates, fats, proteins and vitamins.

Auxiliary treatment with traditional Chinese medicine : Combined with Western medicine treatment, the theory of traditional Chinese medicine is used to regulate kidney deficiency, spleen and kidney deficiency, yin and yang deficiency, etc.

Regular exercise : helps prevent osteoporosis and cardiovascular disease and relieves menopausal symptoms.

3. Premature ovarian failure and fertility

For patients with premature ovarian failure who still want to have children, although the fertility rate is lower, there is still a certain chance. Younger patients have a greater chance of having children. Treatments include estrogen replacement therapy to restore ovulation and assisted reproductive technology such as in vitro fertilization. At the same time, new technologies such as ovarian transplantation and egg freezing and thawing are in the research stage, which may provide more fertility options for patients with premature ovarian failure in the future.