Autoimmune conditions
Auto-immune conditions are associated with premature ovarian failure. Premature ovarian failure may be a result of an auto-immune condition in up to 30% of patients (1). Patients with auto-immune conditions such as thyroiditis, Graves disease, Lupus erythematosus, Addison’s disease, autoimmune polyglandular syndromes and diabetes should be told about their predisposition for oophoritis and premature ovarian failure.
Oocyte cryopreservation may be considered earlier than for the average patients. Measures of ovarian reserve can be followed annually (AFC and AMH) and intervention such as oocyte retrieval for cryopreservation can be performed in cases where ovarian reserve is starting to decline or is lower than expected based on age. Once ovarian failure has occurred, options for fertility are limited to oocyte donation.
References:
- Szeliga A, Calik-Ksepka A, Maciejewska-Jeske M, Grymowicz M, Smolarczyk K, Kostrzak A, Smolarczyk R, Rudnicka E, Meczekalski B. Autoimmune Diseases in Patients with Premature Ovarian Insufficiency-Our Current State of Knowledge. Int J Mol Sci. 2021 Mar 5;22(5):2594.