Ovarian damage can cause premature ovarian failure amenorrhea

The ovaries are where "seeds" are stored. As women grow from puberty to childbearing age, their role becomes increasingly important. Once the ovaries are damaged, a series of serious problems may occur. So, what factors may cause the ovaries to be damaged?

(1) Radiotherapy and chemotherapy: Radiotherapy and chemotherapy have damaging effects on oocytes. After the damaged oocytes are absorbed, the follicle structure disappears and fibrosis leads to ovarian dysfunction. The effect of radiation on gonads depends on age and radiation dose. Within 2 weeks after ovarian irradiation, steroid hormones decrease and gonadotropins increase. Young people have more eggs and can tolerate strong radiation. After several years of amenorrhea, they may still recover their function. If pregnant, the risk of congenital malformations of the embryo is no higher than that of the normal population. Alkylating agents are the most toxic to gonads, and the dose that causes ovarian failure is inversely proportional to the age of treatment.

(2) Ovarian surgery: Bilateral ovarian surgery causes acute loss of ovarian function, while unilateral or partial ovarian surgery may shorten the functional life of the remaining ovarian tissue. Among 126 cases of secondary amenorrhea with hypergonadotropin in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology of Fudan University, 4 had a history of ovarian surgery during adolescence, including 3 with a history of unilateral adnexectomy and 1 with a history of bilateral teratoma removal. All of them developed premature ovarian failure within 10 years after surgery.

(3) Infection: Premature ovarian failure caused by infection is only seen in ovarian tissue destruction caused by bilateral tubo-ovarian abscesses, but childhood mumps virus oophoritis may cause early and severe ovarian destruction.