Abstract
It has been suggested that approximately 10% of females demonstrate premature ovarian aging. In younger women the diagnosis is frequently overlooked, since ovarian function parameters often still lie within ranges that are traditionally considered normal. Age-specific ovarian testing normalizes ovarian function parameters according to age. Such testing can, therefore, detect subtle ovarian abnormalities at earlier stages. Timely diagnosis of premature ovarian aging mandates the understanding of age-specific ovarian function testing. Among active infertility patients such testing reveals a far higher prevalence of premature ovarian aging risk than in a general population, the highest in youngest patients and a declining risk as women age. Since patient populations at different fertility centers vary in severity of ovarian compromise, center-based, age-specific ovarian function tests are not universally applicable. Such universally applicable function tests can only be defined in normal, fertile populations and their establishment should become a priority for the profession.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 595-600 |
Number of pages | 6 |
Journal | Expert Review of Obstetrics and Gynecology |
Volume | 3 |
Issue number | 5 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Sep 2008 |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Age
- Diminished ovarian reserve
- Follicle stimulating hormone
- Infertility
- Ovarian function
- Ovarian response
- Unexplained infertility