Premature ovarian failure (POF)

Premature ovarian failure (POF) is essentially early menopause – ie. before the age of 40. Women with POF have high FSH and they may have stopped menstruating altogether, or they may have very long cycles, or very short cycles characterized by early ovulation or no ovulation.

Unfortunately, western medicine can do little to help POF unless, as in some cases, it is due to an autoimmune disease, in which case high doses of steroids may be given in an attempt to restore ovarian function.

Although treatment of POF may be challenging to the acupuncturist or herbalist, Chinese medicine has proven to be one of the most effective ways of addressing it and rebalancing the hyperthalamus-pituitary-ovarian axis. From a Chinese medical perspective, most cases of POF present with severe Kidney Yin deficiency, an insufficiency of the Spleen energy and a deficiency of Blood production, possibly with concurrent heat. Some cases may also present with Kidney Yang deficiency.

See FSH.

See Research on premature ovarian failure.