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Ovarian hypofunction

• Overview
• Symptoms
• Treatment

Alternative Names:

Premature ovarian failure

Symptoms:

Women with ovarian hypofunction may develop symptoms of menopause such as hot flashes, mood swings, night sweats, and vaginal dryness. Ovarian hypofunction may also cause difficulty becoming pregnant.

Signs and tests:

Follicle-stimulating hormone, or FSH , is higher than normal in women with ovarian hypofunction.

Women with ovarian hypofunction who want to become pregnant may be particularly concerned about their ability to conceive. Those younger than age 30 may undergo a chromosome analysis to check for problems. Older women approaching menopause do not usually need this test.

• Review Date: 5/15/2006
• Reviewed By: Melanie N. Smith, M.D., Ph.D., Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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