A new approach to primary ovarian insufficiency

Abstract

There is a need for a new approach to managing women with primary ovarian insufficiency. This condition is a serious chronic disease that may have far reaching effects on physical and emotional health. An integrative and collaborative approach to management works best. To maintain wellness, most women with primary ovarian insufficiency need to reassess their primary source of meaning and purpose in life and how this diagnosis may have threatened that part of who they are. They also need assessment with regard to bone health, thyroid and adrenal function, determination of FMR1 premutation and karyotype status, and ongoing estradiol-progestin hormone replacement.

Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of Interest: Nil.

Published by Elsevier Inc.

Figures

Fig. 1

Chronic illnesses create burdens for patients and their caregivers. They also restrict life and create uncertainty about the future. Successful interventions to reorganize research and care delivery in chronic diseases share common characteristics as illustrated. (Data from Wagner EH, Austin BT, Von Korff M. Organizing care for patients with chronic illness. Milbank Q 1996;74(4):511–44.)

Fig. 2

The large circle defines the domain of the community of primary ovarian insufficiency. This includes all women with primary ovarian insufficiency that at any one time may be focused on entirely different aspects of their chronic disease. The disorder is much more than infertility. The red circle in the center represents the community of practice that serves these women. A community of practice is a group of people who provide services to the larger community. By sharing information and experiences with each other they develop personally and professionally, and can provide better care to the larger community.