Primary Ovarian Insufficiency / Premature Ovarian Failure (hypergonadotropic hypogonadism) is a condition occurring in women under the age of 40 .  In some cases the onset begins in the teens.   The disorder has been associated  with  serious health conditions and infertility.   POI/ POF affects  approximately 1 % of women .  Some symptoms of include: irregular periods to no periods, hot flashes, night sweats, insomnia, muscle spasm s , depression,  anxiety, short term memory loss, energy loss,  and sexual dysfunction.  
 
POI/POF affects women’s  emotional, endocrine,  and reproductive  health .  This  disorder   puts women at high er  risk for heart disease, osteoporosis, thyroid  disease and Addison’s disease.   It causes infertility.   It also  is associated with  d ry  e ye  s yndrome .  Overall, only  5-10 % of women with  POI/POF will become pregnant and there are no means of determining the odds for any particular woman.   POI/POF is often confused with menopause on account of the similarity with some of the symptoms.   However , menopause is a natural occurrence in healthy women around the age of 50, whereas  POI/POF is an illness in younger women.

POI/POF Campaign is a grassroots effort committed to be the voice of women with POI/POF .  The goals of our campaign are to:

1. Advocate at the federal and state level for legislation that will increase research funds for POI/POF
2. Increase awareness and educate the general public
3. Increase awareness among healthcare providers because early diagnosis is critical to the health of a woman with POI/POF
4. Increase funding to develop programs and networks that help women cope with POI/POF.

Interviews 

http://www.wusa9.com/video/player.aspx?aid=47367&sid=60940&bw
http://www.wusa9.com/video/player.aspx?aid=47375&sid=60940&bw

For more information please contact Karima Hijane at Karima@RachelsWell.org