Primary Ovarian Insufficiency is a difficult and little understood diagnosis for infertility with ramifications for your general health as well as for your fertility. We talk with Dr. Alex Quaas, a Board Certified Reproductive Endocrinologist with Reproductive Partners of San Diego and an Associate Professor at UCSD.

In this episode, we cover:

• What is Primary Ovarian Insufficiency (POI)?
• Is there a difference between the labels/diagnoses - Primary Ovarian Insufficiency, Premature Ovarian Failure, Premature Menopause? 
• What are the symptoms (other than an inability to get pregnant)?
• Is there a decrease in egg quality and increase chromosomal abnormalities?
• How is POI diagnosed?
• How does the diagnosis differ from PCOS?
• What causes primary ovarian insufficiency?
• Is there any correlation between POI and taking Accutane (a treatment for acne) as a teen?
• Is there a link between premature ovarian failure and the HPV vaccine (Gardasil or Cervarix)?
• Can losing one ovary lead to Primary Ovarian Insufficiency?
• Are those with autoimmune diseases more susceptible to POI?
• Can IVF lead to Primary Ovarian Insufficiency? Is there any evidence that aggressive stimulation of the ovaries during a typical IVF cycle can contribute to POI?
• How effective is IVF with woman with Primary Ovarian Insufficiency? 
• What are the odds of a spontaneous pregnancy for a woman with POI?
• What is the role of the infertility nurse in helping women with POI?
• Is there a medical way to slow down the diminution of ovarian egg reserves?
• Are their lifestyle choices that contribute to POI or contribute to increasing a woman’s ovarian reserves?
• Are there supplements or vitamins that help improve fertility for women with Primary Ovarian Insufficiency?
• Has alternative medical approaches or Eastern Medicine been effective with increasing fertility for women with POI?
• What are the other health implications for women with Primary Ovarian Insufficiency?

This podcast is produced  by www.CreatingaFamily.org. We are a national non-profit with the mission to strengthen and inspire infertility patients and the professionals who support them. Creating a Family brings you the following expert-based content:

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