Premature Ovarian Insufficiency (POI)
Premature Ovarian Insufficiency (POI), frequently referred to as premature menopause, occurs below the age of 40 and affects around 1 in 100 girls and women in the UK.
POI can occur as a result of surgical or medical treatment for other conditions (e.g. endometriosis, cancer, PMDD), can be associated with autoimmune disease (e.g. hypothyroidism, Addison’s Disease) or genetic abnormalities (e.g. Fragile X Syndrome), or, rarely, may occur following severe infection (e.g. tuberculosis, malaria). However, for the vast majority of
Specialist management of POI is necessary, not only to help alleviate associated
Hannah has personal experience of surgical POI, having undergone a total hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy (removal of the womb, fallopian tubes and both ovaries) at the age of 35. She sees patients from across the POI spectrum.
