What causes POI?
For a large percentage (90%) of the women diagnosed with POI, the actual cause is not known. For the 10% of the remaining cases, here are some of the causes. This is not an all inclusive list.
Premutation in the Fragile X gene
Ovarian autoimmunity
Abnormal X chromosome
Chemotherapy/Radiation therapy
Turner syndrome
Galactosemia
Lupus/Systemic lupus erythematosus
Swyer syndrome
Fanconi’s anemia
How can knowing the cause of POI help a woman?
Determining what caused POI can be beneficial for a woman. The information may uncover a health problem or risk that she wasn’t previously aware of. Also, knowing the cause may help her seek support from corresponding support groups or organizations that specialize in the underlying disease (e.g. Fragile X syndrome).