[Autoimmune precocious menopause: therapeutic consequences]

Abstract

In case of spontaneous, idiopathic, karyotypically normal premature ovarian failure (POF), autoimmune disease's characteristics have to be verified: association with other autoimune diseases, initial psychological stress, circulating antibodies to thyroid, adrenal or the ovaries, particular HLA haplotypes. Ovarian follicular activity can be measured by ultrasonography. Estrogentherapy is able to enhance ovarian activity. The potential benefit of corticosteroid therapy needs further evaluation.