[Medical Q&A] Why does premature ovarian failure occur?

Author: Li He, deputy chief physician, Shanghai Ji'ai Genetics and Infertility Diagnosis and Treatment Center, Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Fudan University

Reviewer: Fu Jing, Chief Physician, Shanghai Ji'ai Genetics and Infertility Diagnosis and Treatment Center, Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Fudan University

The causes of premature ovarian failure are complex, mainly including the following possibilities:

Sex chromosome abnormalities are often found in patients with a family history of premature ovarian failure. For example, Turner syndrome and fragile X syndrome are both related to premature ovarian failure.

In some autoimmune diseases, the immune system mistakenly produces protective proteins that attack ovarian tissue, damaging the follicles and eggs in the ovaries. It is not clear what triggers the immune response, but exposure to viruses such as mumps is one possible cause.

Treatments such as radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and ovarian surgery can also damage ovarian function.

In most cases, the cause of primary ovarian insufficiency is unknown. Women with poor ovarian reserve function have a lower chance of successful pregnancy, and premature ovarian failure seriously affects the successful pregnancy of young women.