Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: oocytes typically released over the entire reproductive lifespan.4 Regular menstruation and ovulation play a critical role in maintaining overall female health, largely due to the continuous production of estradiol and other sex steroids.In women with POI, despite fertility problems, decreased ovarian function leads to hypoestrogenemia, which IntroductIonPremature ovarian insufficiency (POI) is the currently accepted term for a condition historically referred to as premature menopause or premature ovarian failure. 1 Unlike natural menopause, POI is characterized by intermittent and often unpredictable residual ovarian function.2,3 According to the most recent guidelines issued by the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE), POI is defined as a clinical syndrome resulting from the loss of ovarian activity before the age of 40 years.4 The ESHRE diagnostic criteria for POI include 1 : oligo-or amenorrhea persisting for at least 4 months and 2 elevated serum follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels exceeding 25 mIU/L on two separate occasions, spaced at least 4 weeks apart.4 It emphasizes the importance of an interprofessional care model in optimizing patient's outcomes and addressing the multifaceted needs associated with this condition.POI differs from natural menopause in that residual ovarian function, and a variable pool of primordial follicles may still be present.In contrast, menopause is defined by the complete depletion of the primordial follicle pool, resulting in permanent cessation of menstruation.3 Before establishing a diagnosis of POI, other etiologies of secondary amenorrhea, such as pregnancy, thyroid dysfunction (e.g., hypothyroidism), and genetic or structural abnormalitiesmust be systematically excluded.Oocyte development begins in utero, with the maximal number of oocytes approximately 6-7 million present at around 20 weeks of gestation.2,4 A rapid and continuous decline in oocyte quantity occurs thereafter, with an estimated 3,00,000-4,00,000 oocytes remaining by the onset of reproductive age of 22 years.Following menarche, cyclic ovulation and ongoing atresia further reduce the ovarian reserve, with only 400-500
Language: English
Subfield: Reproductive Medicine
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W4414438153