Incidence of early menopause on the rise

But the basis for the numbers could be a good thing: higher survival rate for those with various types of pediatric cancer and for young women who survive cancer. While the incidence of premature ovarian failure is on the rise at about one in 100 women, it’s largely due to the fact that more women are surviving cancer - the treatment used to help them live is causing the POF.

POF is defined as loss of ovarian function before 40 years of age. It is most often linked to radiotherapy and chemotherapy. About 8% of all survivors of childhood cancers experience non-surgical POF and this increases to 30-40% among those who receive the most invasive of cancer treatments.

The first step for young women may be early on with the cancer diagnosis. At that time, various methods for preserving fertility should be discussed. After a POF diagnosis has been made, the choices may be fewer, but there are still some choices and motherhood is not out of the question. Treatment should include education, counseling and psychological support, treatment of estrogen deficiency symptoms and fertility management.

There is always the adoption alternative and some women may choose to use an oocyte or embryo donation.

POF also causes osteoporosis, coronary heart disease, cardiovascular accidents and depression. Hormone replacement therapy can have good results.

Source: Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, Medical News Today