When the number of follicles in the ovaries of a woman decreases to a certain level, the ovaries can no longer respond to stimulation by Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) and Luteinizing Hormone (LH), secreted by the pituitary gland in the brain. As a result, the woman does not ovulate and does not have a menstrual period.

That is a normal phenomenon in the reproductive life of every woman known as “menopause”. The average age at which menopause occurs is 51. However, ~ 1% of all women experience menopause before the age of 40, which is diagnosed as premature ovarian failure or premature menopause.

A number of hormonal tests are used in combination to confirm a diagnosis of premature ovarian failure.