Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia

Premature ovarian insufficiency: A hormonal treatment approach

DOI: 10.1055/s-0040-1716929 - volume 42 - Agosto 2020

Benetti-Pinto, Cristina Laguna; Soares, José Maria; Maciel, Gustavo Arantes; Nácul, Andrea Prestes; Yela, Daniela Angerame; Silva, Ana Carolina Japur Sá Rosa e

Abstract


Full Text

Key points

 

Recommendations

 

Background

POI is a condition caused by loss of ovarian activity before the age of 40 years.1 It is characterized by irregular menses consisting of prolonged or absent menstrual cycles associated with a reduction in ovarian capacity for producing sex steroids and an increase in gonadotrophins, i.e., a state of hypergonadotrophic hypogonadism.1

In addition to menstrual disturbance lasting at least four months, POI diagnosis requires elevated FSH levels measured on two occasions at least one month apart. The European Society for Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE) has currently accepted and recommended FSH cutoff value of up to 25 mIU/mL.12

The term “premature ovarian insufficiency” is not universally used. The condition has already been called “early menopause”, “early ovarian failure”, and “premature ovarian failure”. However, its progression is known to be long and variable, with irregular and unpredictable ovulation in 50% of cases and pregnancy in up to 5% to 10%.34 Another variation is “primary ovarian insufficiency”.145 Febrasgo suggests the use of the term “premature ovarian insufficiency” and as a preferred terminology.

POI prevalence at 35 years of age is of 0.5% and at 40 years of approximately 1%.6 Frequency seems to vary according to ethnicity: it is more frequent in women of Hispanic and African-American origin (1,4%) and less frequent in Japanese women (0,5%).7 POI generally occurs after a normal puberty and regular cycles, but in 10% of cases it manifests as primary amenorrhea.2

What are the mechanisms and causes of POI?

Mechanisms involved in POI are either follicular depletion or dysfunction. Follicular depletion is the most common mechanism and may be due to a reduction in the initial number of primordial follicles, an increase in apoptosis (accelerated follicular atresia), or follicle destruction.8 In follicular dysfunction, the follicle fails to respond to gonadotrophins. This mechanism is often rare and preferably associated with enzyme deficiency (17α-hydroxylase, 17,20-desmolase, aromatase) and receptor mutation (FSH, luteinizing hormone [LH], G protein).2 Regardless of the quantitative or qualitative nature of the mechanism, clinical manifestations and the risks associated with POI remain the same. Most POI cases are considered idiopathic, i.e., of no determinable cause.12 However, it is important to investigate underlying causes and associated conditions that may impact the patient’s overall health and, in case of pregnancy or family counseling, the possibility of the transmission of inherited conditions.12 The main etiological groups are given below.

 

Genetic causes

The most frequent genetic causes are numerical or X chromosome structural abnormalities, such as Turner syndrome and full/partial deletions, translocation, and other abnormalities involving the X chromosome.25 Despite this genetic abnormality profile most frequently presents as primary amenorrhea, it can also manifest as secondary amenorrhea.9

The fragile X syndrome (the most common cause for inherited mental retardation) is a genetic condition associated with the X chromosome and caused by a mutation of the FMR1 gene. Women presenting with a premutation of the FMR1 gene are at an increased risk of developing POI. Despite its accounting for a small percentage of the genetic causes of POI, this abnormality is present in up to 13% of familial cases. It does not cause mental retardation in the patient who carries it (premutation), but it may lead to the gene’s full mutation in the following generation, which will present with full expression of the syndrome. For this reason, the assessment of POI patients, when detected genetic origin, should also include family genetic counseling.25

Autosomal disorders consist of rare syndromes that may be associated with POI; there is no indication for routine investigation. These may include, but are not limited to, galactosemia, mutation in hormone receptors (LH, FSH), blepharophimosis-ptosis-epicanthusinversus syndrome (BPES) and defects in proteins and enzymes involved in steroidogenesis.235

 

Autoimmune causes - Association with autoimmune disease/autoimmunity

It is estimated that about 20% to 30% of POI cases are associated with autoimmune disease.2 The most frequently involved organ is the thyroid, with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis affecting 14% to 27% of patients with autoimmune involve-ment.2 Despite showing fair inferior prevalence, the autoimmune conditions of adrenal insufficiency (Addison’s disease) and type 1 diabetes mellitus are also associated with POI; as well assystemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, pernicious anemia, vitiligo, and Crohn’s disease.8

 

Iatrogenic causes

Pelvic surgery

Pelvic surgery is the most frequent cause for hormonal deficiency in premenopausal women.10 POI may be caused by a reduction in ovarian tissue, such as in cystectomy or oophorectomy, or even changes in local blood flow due to surgical procedures such as hysterectomy or tubal ligation (not consensual) and also by local inflammatory processes.11)

Chemotherapy

Many chemotherapeutic drugs are toxic to oocytes and granulosa cells and may cause depletion of the primordial follicles and/or damage to follicle maturation.12 Regardless of cell cycle stage, cytotoxic alkylating agents are the most frequently associated to gonadal disorders.13 The mechanism of damage is believed to be a massive destruction of the population of developing follicles. As a consequence, there is a drop in estrogen levels and compensatory elevation in FSH, thereby recruiting a new pool of quiescent follicles that will rapidly be destroyed; this cycle of rapid activation and depletion of the follicular population has been refered to as burn-out.14 This category of drugs includes cyclophosphamide, ifosfamide, dacarbazine, busulfan, melphalan, and chlorambucil. Procarbazine (derived from an alkylating hydrazine) also shows high gonadal toxicity.1315 This phenomenon, which may be transitory, is influenced by patient's age, type of chemotherapy drug and administered dose. The older the patient, the higher the probability of developing POI.813

Radiation therapy

Oocytes are very sensitive to radiation. Ovarian damage depends on the irradiation fieldand total cumulative dose.13 POI development post-RT depends on the ovarian reserve available pre-irradiation ; thus, ovarian sensitivity to radiation increases with age.1316

Other Causes

Other etiologies of POI—yet of no solid evidence in the literature—are smoking, infections (mumps, rubella, chicken pox, tuberculosis, and malaria), chemicals (such as bromopropane and vinylcyclohexene dioxide), environmental toxins and heavy metals.1117

 

How to investigate POI?

The diagnosis of POI is based on clinical history and revised measurements of elevated gonadotrophin levels. FSH levels greater than 25 mIU/mL,measured in two different samples with at least four weeks apart in women younger than 40 years old confirms the diagnosis of POI.128 Clinically, a menstrual disturbance of oligo/amenorrhea must be present for at least four months, with or without symptoms of hypoestrogenism (for instance, hot flushes).18

 

Care of women with POI: What to assess?

The assessment of a POI-women requires a detailed history and physical examination seeking for signs of hypoestrogenism and comorbidities that could point to a possible cause. A detailed personal and family history may raise situations associated with POI, such as autoimmune disease and genetic cause.23

In cases of primary amenorrhea either with or without delayed puberty, signs of genetic abnormality must be investigated (i. e., Turner syndrome stigmata, such as short stature, webbed neck, low hairline, and cubitus valgus). It is also necessary to assess the development of secondary sexual characteristics, especially breasts.28

After excluding the possibility of pregnancy, women presenting with irregular menstrual cycles (oligomenorrhea) or secondary amenorrhea should be assessed for a differential diagnosis considering other menstrual disturbances, such as: polycystic ovary syndrome, hyperprolactinemia, hypothalamic or hypophyseal (hypogonadotrophic) amenorrhea and thyroid disease.28

Women may report symptoms of estrogen deprivation, such as vasomotor (hot flushes) and genitourinary (vaginal dryness, urgency and urinary frequency) symptoms. The more acute the condition, the more significant the vasomotor symptoms will be. Changes in mood, sexuality and sleep pattern may be present and interfere negatively in quality of life.12

 

What are the relevant tests in investigating a women with POI?

Some tests are indicated in order of diagnosis confirmation and others may be requested to investigate the cause of POI or to assess the repercussions of hypoestrogenism, as described below.

Hormonal assessment:138

For a differential diagnosis or complementation purposes, the need for the tests bellow should be assessed:

Genetic investigation: What to investigate?

Autoimmune disease investigation: What are the necessary tests?

The authors point out that the absence of positive antibodies does not exclude an autoimmune disease origin, once this may be due to an untested antibody or a disease remission period. Additionally, the treatments for idiopathic or autoimmune POI are similar and there is no change in therapeutic approach.

What are the image tests indicated in the POI investigation?

 

Treatment: What are the goals?

The objectives of POI treatment are symptoms relief and reducing the repercussions of hypoestrogenism. Although vasomotor symptoms (hot flushes) are the main apparent reason for the use of HRT, reasons related to greater morbidity (i.e., bone loss) must be made clear and reinforced to the patient.19 Psychosocial support should be offered, with special care regarding the reproductive aspects.1

Estrogen replacement is recommended to maintain bone health, prevent osteoporosis, and reduce the risk of fracture.119 Likewise, the early start of HRT continued until the usual age of menopause has a positive effect on the risk of cardiovascular disease.119 HRT is also beneficial for quality of life and sexual function (Chart 1).2018

Chart 1
Indication for HRT in women with POI

Indication Rationale/notes
Vasomotor symptoms HRT is recommended for treatment of symptoms and improvement of quality of life.
Genitourinary symptoms Systemic and, if needed, local (vaginal) estrogen for treatment of vaginal dryness, irritation, and atrophy; dyspareunia; and urinary symptoms.
Bone health Maintenance of bone health, prevention of osteoporosis, and reduction of the risk of fracture.
Cardiovascular health Reduction of the risk of cardiovascular disease until natural age of menopause.
Sexuality Systemic and, if needed, vaginal (dyspareunia) use for improvement in sexual function.

Source: Adapted from the European Society for Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE) Guideline Group on POI, Webber L, Davies M, Anderson R, et al. ESHRE Guideline: management of women with premature ovarian insufficiency. Hum Reprod. 2016;31(5):926–37.1 Webber L, Anderson RA, Davies M, Janse F, Vermeulen N. HRT for women with premature ovarian insufficiency: a comprehensive review. Hum Reprod Open. 2017;2017(2):hox007.19 Committee on Gynecologic Practice. Committee Opinion No. 698: Hormone Therapy in Primary Ovarian Insufficiency. Obstet Gynecol. 2017;129(5):e134–41.22

POI-women care: What general guidance must be provided?

Considering the increased risk for hypoestrogenism-associated diseases, the following general guidance should be provided to women with POI:

 

How is estroprogestative HRT prescribed?

Among estrogen options, estradiol is the most physiological option in terms of cardiovascular effect when compared to combined hormonal contraceptives (CHCs).19 Conjugated equine estrogen choices are not in the ESHRE consensus, however the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ACOG) considers them a valid choice for HRT in women with POI.19202122

The most widely used progestagens for HRT in women with POI are medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA), natural micronized progesterone and norethisterone. The dose will depend on the chosen regimen (continuous or cyclic) and on the dose of estrogen. In cyclic regimens progestagen is administered for 12 to 14 consecutive days/month in higher doses when compared to continuous use.19 With the exception of the first years of pubertal development, no regimen has been proven more beneficial than the other; the patient must be asked whether they prefer to undergo periodic withdrawal bleeding or not.19 A levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine device/system is an alternative to oral progestagen, and given its contraceptive action it may also be attractive to women who do not wish to risk pregnancy, in cases where this might be an eventual risk.19202122 Hysterectomized women will not require the association of progestogens duringestrogen replacement, with the exception of cases where there is previous endometriosis.19

Transdermal estrogen (adhesive patches or gel) avoids hepatic first-pass and is associated, when compared to oral estrogen, to a lower risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE), in addition to showing serum hormonal levels closer to age-related physiological levels.19 Transdermal delivery is preferred for women showing comorbidities, such as arterial hypertension and obesity, and risk factors for VTE (including, but not limited to, immobilization, surgery and trauma).19 Women showing genitourinary symptoms during the use of systemic HT may require combined vaginal estrogen to relieve dyspareunia and vaginal dryness.19202122

HRT shall be prescribed to endometriosis patients presenting with POI secondary to oophorectomy. Continuous estroprogestative therapy is recommended, even if the patient is hysterectomized.19

Estrogen dose should be at a physiological level to mimic ovarian hormonal production. In women with an intact uterus, progestagen in continuous or cyclic/sequential regimen must be added for the purpose of endometrial protection.23 Doses recommended for hormonal replacement in POI are listed in Table 1; for young women, formulations must contain a higher estrogen dose (see adult dose in Table 2), which may be lower in older women with POI. Despite there being a sparseness of evidence in the literature, this Commission suggests the maintenance of HRT containing 2 mg (oral, PO) or 100 mcg/day (transdermal, TD) estradiol combined with progestagen in young women, as considered above; this regimen may be changed according to symptomatology and bone mass response. When symptoms are persistent with these doses, it can be increased until 4mg of oral estradiol.

Generally, HRT has no contraceptive effect. Women who do not wish to get pregnant and are suspicious of no definitive or irreversible loss of gonadal function should use an additional contraceptive method (e.g., barrier methods or intrauterine devices) or insert an intrauterine device associated with estradiol (oral or TD) or replace HRT with CHCs in a continuous use regimen, for which there is recent evidence of a beneficial effect on bone mass.1192627 There are reports of women with POI showing better acceptance of contraceptives, which may even improve adherence to hormonal treatment; however, an eligibility criteria assessment is indicated to verify whether there are no contraindications to the use of CHCs (we suggest using the World Health Organization's criteria, for instance).

 

Table 1
Regimens for hormone replacement therapy in POI

Drug Dosage
Estrogen Continuous use
Estradiol (17β-estradiol) 100–200 mcg/day TD (adhesive patch, percutaneous gel)
Micronized estradiol 1–4 mg/day, oral
Estradiol valerate*
Conjugated equine estrogen* 0.625–1.25 mg/day oral
Progestagen Continuous use Cyclic/sequential use
Medroxyprogesterone acetate 2.5–5.0 mg/day, oral 10 mg/day
Norethisterone 0.5–1 mg/day, oral
Micronized progesterone 100 mg/day 200 mg/day
Levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system (LNG-IUS) LNG-dosedependent duration

Source: Adapted from the Committee on Gynecologic Practice. Committee Opinion No. 698: Hormone Therapy in Primary Ovarian Insufficiency. Obstet Gynecol. 2017;129(5):e134–41.22 Steingold KA, Matt DW, DeZiegler D, Sealey JE, Fratkin M, Reznikov S. Comparison of transdermal to oral estradiol administration on hormonal and hepatic parameters in women with premature ovarian failure. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 1991;73(2):275–80.24 Popat VB, Vanderhoof VH, Calis KA, Troendle JF, Nelson LM. Normalization of serum luteinizing hormone levels in women with 46,XX spontaneous primary ovarian insufficiency. Fertil Steril. 2008;89(2):429–33.25

TD: Transdermal; PO: Oral. *Not among ESRHE's recommendations.

How to monitor and follow up women with POI?

HRT patients must undergo periodic follow-up, with special care towards treatment adherence.19 There is no need for periodic hormone measurements for the purposes of monitoring treatment.122

Tests for cancer screening (cervix, breast, and colon) must be conducted under the same indications and periodicity of women from the same age but without POI.19 Despite controversial results about the increased risk of breast cancer among women using CHCs, this association has not been seen in women with POI undergoing HRT until the natural age of menopause.1922

Up to what age should HRT be continued?

HRT is recommended to be continued until the usual age of menopause, i.e., around 50 years of age. Continuation should be discussed with the patient considering their clinical condition, the presence or absence of symptoms, and risk-benefit relationship.1922

 

What are the evidence for androgenic replacement in POI?

Despite controversial results in the literature, many women with POI may present low serum testosterone levels when compared to non-POI women of the same age.24252728293031 Although this testosterone deficiency seems to contribute to the manifestation of POI, there is not enough evidence to recommend routine testosterone administration or replacement therapy in these patients.2232

Testosterone can be currently prescribed for women with POI diagnosed with hypoactive sexual desire disorder with no contraindication.3334 According to the literature, transdermal testosterone adhesive patches delivering 300 mcg/day are associated with an improvement in sexual function, but these are not commercially available in Brazil, being obtained through handling pharmacy.353637 Evidence suggest that testosterone levels should be used for three to six months with clinical and laboratory reassessment of serum testosterone levels (to verify whether the dose is not supraphysiological).33 In case there is no clinical response after six months, therapy should be suspended.33 In case treatment is continued, a clinical (hyperandrogenism signs) and laboratorial (measurement of testosterone levels) reassessment should be conducted every six months.33 The patient must be informed that there are no safety data on the use of testosterone for over 24 months, as well as there are no approved formulations commercially available in Brazil.133

 

How to induce sexual secondary characteristics in girls with hypergonadotrophic hypogonadism during puberty?24

Induction of puberty in POI patients is conducted with low doses of isolated estrogen gradually increased over the course of two to three years. Progestagen should be combined in a cyclic regimen upon the first menstrual period or two years after the beginning of estrogen therapy.

The initial 17β-estradiol dose is 12,5 mcg/day (TD adhesive patch) or 0,5 mg/day (PO). Alternatively, conjugated equine estrogen at a dose of 0.3 mg/day may be administered. Estrogen must be increased every 6 to 12 months until the adult dose is reached, after two to three years.ee (Table 2).38

 

Table 2
Hormone replacement therapy for induction of puberty and its maintenance in adult life

Estrogen
Drug Estradiol TD (mcg/day) Estradiol PO (mg/day) Conjugated estrogen (mg/day)
Initial dose 12.5 0.5 0.3
Dose gradual increase (6–12 month interval) 25
50
100
0.5
1.0
1.5
0.625
Adult dose 100–200 2.0–4.0 1.25
Progestagen
Drug Micronized progesterone PO (mg/d) Dydrogesterone (mg/d) Medroxyprogesterone acetate (mg/d)
Dose (cyclic use—12–14 days/month) 100–200 5–10 5–10

Source: Adapted from Sá MF, Benetti-Pinto CL. Insuficiência ovariana prematura. Federação Brasileira das Associações de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia (FEBRASGO), São Paulo, 2018. (Protocolo FEBRASGO - Ginecologia, no. 43/Comissão Nacional Especializada em Ginecologia Endócrina).38

How to manage the reproductive issues?

In vitro fertilization with donor oocytes is the treatment of choice for women with confirmed POI who wish to get pregnant.8 Patients with Turner syndrome should undergo previous cardiovascular assessment, once pregnancy is relatively contraindicated for these patients (risk of aortic rupture).83940

 

Final considerations

Once POI diagnosis is established, the patient should receive clear guidance on all repercussions caused by early hypoestrogenism, including compromised fertility. Prolonged estroprogestative HRT is the treatment of choice for POI. It must be individualized according to age, clinical manifestation, and metabolic changes and the patient's preferences must be considered. HRT should be continued at least until 50 years of age, and there is no indication for follow-up with measurement of FSH or estradiol levels. Evidence relative to HRT in women with usual menopause cannot be directly transposed to women with POI. The following general guidance should be provided: adopting a healthy life style in terms of diet and physical exercise and avoiding smoking. Mammograms and oncotic colpocytologies should be conducted under the same indications for women of the general population, while bone densitometry should be considered in the diagnosis of POI with individualized repetition. The aim of POI treatment is to offer an overall improvement in physical, mental and sexual health while simultaneously promoting quality of life.

National Specialized Commission on Gynecological Endocrinology of the Brazilian Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics Associations (FEBRASGO)

President:

Cristina Laguna Benetti Pinto

Vice-President:

Ana Carolina Japur de Sá Rosa e Silva

Secretary:

José Maria Soares Júnior

Members:

Andrea Prestes Nácul

Daniela Angerame Yela Gomes

Fernando Marcos dos Reis

Gabriela Pravatta Rezende

Gustavo Arantes Rosa Maciel

Gustavo Mafaldo Soares

Laura Olinda Rezende Bregieiro Costa

Lia Cruz Vaz da Costa Damásio

Maria Candida Pinheiro Baracat Rezende

Sebastião Freitas de Medeiros

Tecia Maria de Oliveira Maranhão

Vinicius Medina Lopes


Keywords


References

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