Frequently Asked Questions

• What are some of the physical changes I might notice?
• Are there any ways that the symptoms of POF can be different than the symptoms of menopause at a more usual age?

What are some of the physical changes I might notice? I’ve been having what I would call “hot flashes” but I’m too young and my doctor thinks I’m a hypochondriac!

You may see changes in your period – the flow may be different or the length of the bleeding may change. Periods may stop altogether. You may continue with a regular menstrual cycle and have other symptoms! You really may be experiencing hot flashes. In addition, some of the other symptoms you may experience include night sweats, irritability (because the night sweats disturb your sleep), poor concentration, decreased sex drive, painful sex, depression and thinning and drying of the vagina. Some women discover the problem when they go for fertility testing and discover that they have an elevated FSH. They may not have had any symptoms. If your doctor isn’t knowledgeable about POF, or isn’t compassionate about its effects on you, it is time to educate them (take this information to him or her) and work together. If they are not interested in working with you, then find a new doctor!
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Are there any ways that the symptoms of POF can be different than the symptoms of menopause at a more usual age?

Each woman’s symptoms are different but it is possible that your symptoms might be different than the symptoms of “natural” menopause. For example, hot flashes and other symptoms may last for many more years for those who have POF than for those who reached menopause in their late 40s or early 50s. It is possible that your symptoms could be more severe as well. In addition, if you are surgically menopausal due to removal of your ovaries, or have POF due to chemotherapy or radiation, symptoms tend to be worse than those for the naturally menopausal. There can be several reasons for this. One is that even when a woman goes through a natural menopause her ovaries usually continue to produce a small amount of hormones. This small amount of natural hormones are not present if the ovaries have been removed. Recent studies have shown that menopause due to chemotherapy and radiation resembles surgical menopause more than natural menopause.
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