What is a premature menopause?

J Reprod Med. 2002 Jun;47(6):504-6

Twin gestation two years after the diagnosis of premature ovarian failure in a woman on hormone replacement therapy. A case report.

Authors:

Fernandes AM , Arruda Mde S , Bedone AJ .

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Pontificia Universidade Catolica de Campinas, Rua 14 de Dezembro, 421/21, Campinas/SP, CEP13015-130, Campinas, Sao Paulo, Brazil.dramsf@acad. Puccamp.br

Background

Premature ovarian failure (POF) is a condition causing amenorrhea, hypoestrogenism and elevated gonadotropins before the age of 40 years and affects around 10% of patients seeking evaluation for secondary amenorrhea. Although it is a rare event, pregnancy has occurred in this group of patients. CASE: A successful twin pregnancy occurred in a 30-year-old woman two years after the diagnosis of POF. Cyclic hormone replacement therapy was initiated after the diagnosis. Twenty-one months later, ultrasound revealed an 8-week twin pregnancy. Two healthy infants, a boy and a girl, were delivered at 36 gestational weeks.

Conclusion:

There are no clinical or laboratory features that une quivocally establish the diagnosis of POF. Neither high levels of gonadotropins nor an ovarian biopsy with rare follicles excludes the possibility of pregnancy. Even though pregnancy in patients with POF is very unlikely, patients should be informed of this possibility, and a contraceptive method should be considered if pregnancy is not desired.

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