When we use the term “premature menopause” or climacterium praecox, we mean cessation of the normal cyclic ovarian function prior to the age of 40. Some authors have defined the limit at an even earlier age, namely 35 and in some cases even 30 [1]. Especially in young women, speaking of a prema­ ture menopause often causes problems for psychological reasons. The thought of being menopausal at s...

INTRODUCTION While we recognise that the term premature menopause is more accepted by most non-specialist health care providers and by the general population, 'primary ovarian insufficiency' (POI) is currently considered the most apposite term to explain the loss of ovarian function, because it better explains the variability of the clinical picture, does not specify definitive failure, and hig...

STUDY QUESTION What is the measured prevalence and phenotype of spontaneous premature ovarian failure (POF) in the general population? SUMMARY ANSWER Spontaneous POF occurs in ∼1% of the general population with unique phenotype of post-menopausal ageing distinct from surgically induced premature menopause. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY POF is multifactorial ovarian quiescence before the age of 40. ...

The preliminary results of an international collaborative study examining premature menopause in fragile X carriers are presented. A total of 760 women from fragile X families was surveyed about their fragile X carrier status and their menstrual and reproductive histories. Among the subjects, 395 carried a premutation, 128 carried a full mutation, and 237 were noncarriers. Sixty-three (16%) of ...

On average, the menopause occurs at the age of 50 years, with 1% of women continuing to menstruate beyond the age of 60 years and 1% whose menopause occurs before 40 years. Arbitrarily, a menopause before the age of 40 years is defined as 'premature'.

OBJECTIVE To study the prevalence of chromosomal abnormalities and FMR1 gene premutation in Chinese women with premature menopause in Hong Kong. DESIGN Retrospective study. SETTING Clinical Genetic Service, Hong Kong. PARTICIPANTS Chinese women with premature menopause referred for cytogenetic study from January 1983 to November 2003. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Chromosomal abnormalities, FMR...