Monday Feb 16, 2015 (foodconsumer.org) -- Chinese researchers conducted a study and identified history of pelvic surgery, mumps, having relatives with menstrual abnormalities and exposure to chemical agents as significant risk factors for premature ovarian failure (POF) in Chinese women.  

They also found vegetarian diet and drinking tea and mineral water were associated with significantly lower risk for premature ovarian failure.  

The findings are based on data from 453 patients who had premature ovarian failure and 400 women with normal ovarian function.

What is POF?

Women with premature ovarian failure (POF), which is also known as premature ovarian insufficiency, primary ovarian insufficiency, premature menopause, and hypergonadotropic hypogonadism, lose normal ovarian functions before age 40. POF can start as early as the teenage years. If a girl never begins menstruation, she suffers primary ovarian failure. POF affects about 1% of the female population.  

POF and reproduction

Women with POF are often diagnosed also with amenorrhea, hypergonadotropinism, and hypoestrogenism.  One feature of the condition is that patients stop releasing fertile eggs prematurely.  Normally on average, the ovaries supply fertile eggs until age 51 or the age of natural menopause. That is, women with the condition are often infertile.  But 5 to 10% women with this condition may spontaneously become pregnant.

What can POF harm in addition to reproduction?

Because of the insufficient estrogen, patients with POF also are risk of osteoporosis or decreased bone density and heart disease, hypothyroidism, Addison's disease and other autoimmune diseases.

What are the causes for POF?

The causes for a particular case of POF are often idiopathic.   The possible causes for POF include genetic disorders, autoimmune diseases; tuberculosis of the genital tract, tobacco smoking, radiation and/or chemotherapy, hysterectomy induced ovarian failure, prolonged GnRH (Gonadatrophin Releasing Hormone) therapy, resistant ovary, and induction of multiple ovulations in infertility.(David Liu, PHD)

Wang H, Chen H, Qin Y, Shi Z, Zhao X, Xu J, Ma B, Chen ZJ.  Risks associated with premature ovarian failure in Han Chinese women, Reprod Biomed Online. 2015 Jan 13.