Hypergonadotropic ovarian failure in young women.

The purpose of this study is to evaluate 13 patients with primary ovarian failure (POF). All patients were less than 35 years of age. Serum FSH, performed by RIA, was in the post-menopausal range in all patients. Karyotype with Q-banding was performed on peripheral leukocytes and/or ovarian tissue. All patients had 46XX karyotype. Eleven patients had laparoscopy or laparotomy and ovarian biopsy. Two of the 11 patients had ovarian follicles. One patient had Graves' disease. Based on our data, we offer these conclusions. A thorough evaluation of patients with premature ovarian failure is essential. Testing for autoimmune endocrinopathies should be considered in POF patients who exhibit any signs of endocrine dysfunction. A peripheral karyotype with banding should be performed on all patients. The resistant ovary syndrome may occur with greater frequency than has previously been reported and a review of the literature on the resistant ovary syndrome is presented.