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No More Periods
Premature Ovarian Failure
By Lisa Hurt Kozarovich
The Thomasons had no idea what POF was the first time they heard the diagnosis, but with the doctor's words, felt their fate had been sealed. "His words to me were, 'I have bad news. You've been diagnosed with premature ovarian failure,'" recalls Beth Thomason, 32. "Then he started talking about my FSH levels, which sounded like a foreign language to me, and he ended the conversation with 'Your only options are donor eggs or adoption.' Basically, he told me I'd never be able to have children."
Actually, there is a chance – though it's rare – that patients with POF can become pregnant. Researchers typically put the chance of that happening at between five and eight percent. Other patients can sometimes achieve pregnancy through the use of donor eggs.
After 48 hours in tears following her diagnosis, Beth Thomason went online in search of information about premature ovarian failure. She was disturbed to find so little information available. What she did find helpful was information from the Premature Ovarian Failure Support Group, a national group based in Virginia.
One of the first things she wanted to know was what causes POF. Unfortunately, researchers don't have the answer yet.
The POF Support Group says that about 25 to 35 percent of women with POF have an associated autoimmune disorder, such as hypothyroidism, diabetes, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis or inflammatory bowel syndrome. A family history of POF has been found in about four percent of patients, though it's not clear if the condition is genetic. Fewer women are diagnosed with POF following an unnatural occurrence, including chemotherapy, radiation, uncommonly severe pelvic inflammatory disease, pelvic surgery or trauma to the ovaries. In most cases, the cause is unknown, Dr. Goodman says.
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