Skip to main content

Noninvasive Approaches to Enhance Ovarian Function

  • Chapter
Primary Ovarian Insufficiency

Abstract

While it is widely accepted that in vitro fertilization (IVF) utilizing donor oocytes provides the most reliable, evidence-based treatment for patients with POI desiring pregnancy, there is some evidence suggesting that POI can be treated with less invasive therapy, especially in the earlier stages of diagnosis. Ovulation induction, superovulation, supplemental hormone therapy, and lifestyle changes may be considered as noninvasive methods to improve ovarian function, although the evidence is limited by size and methodology. While further research is needed to improve the noninvasive options for fertility treatment in patients with POI, it is reasonable to consider these methods if the patient is unable or unwilling to undergo donor oocyte IVF. This chapter will highlight several noninvasive methods for potentially improving ovarian function and introduce emerging therapies that may be worth consideration prior to more aggressive treatment.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 89.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 119.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 119.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  1. Vujovic S, Brincat M, Erel T, Gambacciani M, Lambrinoudaki I, Moen MH, Schenck-Gustafsson K, Tremollieres F, Rozenberg S, Rees M. EMAS position statement: managing women with premature ovarian failure. Maturitas. 2010;67:91–3.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. Rebar RW. Premature ovarian failure. Obstet Gynecol. 2009;113:1355–63.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Nelson LM, Covington SH, Rebar RW. An update: spontaneous premature ovarian failure is not an early menopause. Fertil Steril. 2005;83:1327–32.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Alper MM, Jolly EE, Garner PR. Pregnancies after premature ovarian failure. Obstet Gynecol. 1986;67:59S–62S.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Rebar RW, Connolly HV. Clinical features of young women with hypergonadotropic amenorrhea. Fertil Steril. 1990;53:804–10.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Fernandes AM, Arruda Mde S, Bedone A. Twin gestation two years after the diagnosis of premature ovarian failure in a woman on hormone replacement therapy. J Reprod Med. 2002;47:504–6.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Check JH, Chase JS, Spence M. Pregnancy in premature ovarian failure after therapy with oral contraceptives despite resistance to previous human menopausal gonadotropin therapy. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 1989;160:114–5.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Buckler HM, Healy DL, Burger HG. Does gonadotropin suppression result in follicular development in premature ovarian failure? Gynecol Endocrinol. 1993;7:123–8.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. Szlachter BN, Nachtigall LE, Epstein J, Young BK, Weiss G. Premature menopause: a reversible entity? Obstet Gynecol. 1979;54:396–8.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Ohsawa M, Wu MC, Masahashi T, Asai M, Narita O. Cyclic therapy resulted in pregnancy in premature ovarian failure. Obstet Gynecol. 1985;66:64S–7S.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. Check ML, Check JH, Kaplan H. Pregnancy despite imminent ovarian failure and extremely high endogenous gonadotropins and therapeutic strategies: case report and review. Clin Exp Obstet Gynecol. 2004;31:299–301.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Taylor AE, Adams JM, Mulder JE, Martin KA, Sluss PM, Crowley Jr WF. A randomized, controlled trial of estradiol replacement therapy in women with hypergonadotropic amenorrhea. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 1996;81:3615–21.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. Kreiner D, Droesch K, Navot D, Scott R, Rosenwaks Z. Spontaneous and pharmacologically induced remissions in patients with premature ovarian failure. Obstet Gynecol. 1988;72:926–8.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. Ledger WL, Thomas EJ, Browning D, Lenton EA, Cooke ID. Suppression of gonadotropin secretion does not reverse premature ovarian failure. Br J Obstet Gynaecol. 1989;96:196–9.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. Surrey ES, Cedars MI. The effect of gonadotropin suppression on the induction of ovulation in premature ovarian failure patients. Fertil Steril. 1989;52:36–41.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  16. Nakai M, Tatsumi H, Arai M. Case report. Successive pregnancies in a patient with premature ovarian failure. Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol. 1984;18:217–24.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  17. Davis OK, Ravnikar VA. Ovulation induction with clomiphene citrate in a woman with premature ovarian failure. A case report. J Reprod Med. 1988;33:559–62.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  18. Rosen GF, Stone SC, Yee B. Ovulation induction in women with premature ovarian failure: a prospective, crossover study. Fertil Steril. 1992;57:448–9.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  19. van Kasteren YM, Hoek A, Schoemaker J. Ovulation induction in premature ovarian failure: a placebo-controlled randomized trial combining pituitary suppression with gonadotropin stimulation. Fertil Steril. 1995;64:273–8.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  20. Check JH, Chase JS. Ovulation induction in hypergonadotropic amenorrhea with estrogen and human menopausal gonadotropin therapy. Fertil Steril. 1984;42:919–22.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  21. Check JH, Nowroozi K, Chase JS, Nazari A, Shapse D, Vaze M. Ovulation induction and pregnancies in 100 consecutive women with hypergonadotropic amenorrhea. Fertil Steril. 1990;53:811–6.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  22. Tartagni M, Cicinelli E, De Pergola G, De Salvia MA, Lavopa C, Loverro G. Effects of pretreatment with estrogens on ovarian stimulation with gonadotropins in women with premature ovarian failure: a randomized, placebo-controlled trial. Fertil Steril. 2007;87:858–61.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  23. Rabinowe SL, Berger MJ, Welch WR, Dluhy RG. Lymphocyte dysfunction in autoimmune oophoritis. Resumption of menses with corticosteroids. Am J Med. 1986;81:347–50.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  24. Taylor R, Smith NM, Angus B, Horne CH, Dunlop W. Return of fertility after twelve years of autoimmune ovarian failure. Clin Endocrinol. 1989;31:305–8.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  25. Cowchock FS, McCabe JL, Montgomery BB. Pregnancy after corticosteroid administration in premature ovarian failure. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 1988;158:118–9.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  26. Corenblum B, Rowe T, Taylor PJ. High-dose, short-term glucocorticoids for the treatment of infertility resulting from premature ovarian failure. Fertil Steril. 1993;59:988–91.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  27. van Kasteren YM, Braat DD, Hemrika DJ, Lambalk CB, Rekers-Mombarg LT, von Blomberg BM, Schoemaker J. Corticosteroids do not influence ovarian responsiveness to gonadotropins in patients with premature ovarian failure: a randomized, placebo-controlled trial. Fertil Steril. 1999;71:90–5.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  28. Kalantaridou SN, Braddock DT, Patronas NJ, Nelson LM. Treatment of autoimmune premature ovarian failure. Hum Reprod. 1999;14:1777–82.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  29. Bachelot A, Monget P, Imbert-Bolloré P, Coshigano K, Kopchick JJ, Kelly PA, Binart N. Growth hormone is required for ovarian follicular growth. Endocrinology. 2002;143:4104–12.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  30. Mason HD, Martikainen H, Beard RW, Anyaoku V, Franks S. Direct gonadotropic effect of growth hormone on estradiol production by human granulosa cells in vitro. J Endocrinol. 1990;126:R1–4.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  31. Jia X, Kalmijn J, Hsueh AJ. Growth hormone enhances follicle stimulating hormone-induced differentiation of cultured rat granulosa cells. Endocrinology. 1986;118:1401–9.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  32. Busacca M, Fusi FM, Brigante C, Doldi N, Vignali M. Success in inducing ovulation in a case of premature ovarian failure using growth hormone-releasing hormone. Gynecol Endocrinol. 1996;10:277–9.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  33. Casson PR, Lindsay MS, Pisarska MD, Carson SA, Buster JE. Dehydroepiandrosterone supplementation augments ovarian stimulation in poor responders: a case series. Hum Reprod. 2000;15:2129–32.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  34. Barad D, Gleicher N. Increased oocyte production after treatment with dehydroepiandrosterone. Fertil Steril. 2005;84:756.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  35. Barad D, Gleicher N. Effect of dehydroepiandrosterone on oocyte and embryo yields, embryo grade and cell number in IVF. Hum Reprod. 2006;21:2845–9.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  36. Barad D, Brill H, Gleicher N. Update on the use of dehydroepiandrosterone supplementation among women with diminished ovarian function. J Assist Reprod Genet. 2007;24:629–34.

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  37. Mamas L, Mamas E. Premature ovarian failure and dehydroepiandrosterone. Fertil Steril. 2009;91:644–6.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  38. Mamas L, Mamas E. Dehydroepiandrosterone supplementation in assisted reproduction: rationale and results. Curr Opin Obstet Gynecol. 2009;21:306–8.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  39. Hassan MA, Killick SR. Negative lifestyle is associated with a significant reduction in fecundity. Fertil Steril. 2004;81:384–92.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  40. Practice Committee of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine in collaboration with the Society for Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility. Optimizing natural fertility: a committee opinion. Fertil Steril. 2013;100:631–7.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  41. Wang N, Luo LL, Xu JJ, Xu MY, Zhang XM, Zhou XL, Liu WJ, Fun YC. Obesity accelerates ovarian follicle development and follicle loss in rats. Metabolism. 2014;63:94–103.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  42. Showell MG, Brown J, Clarke J, Hart RJ. Antioxidants for female subfertility. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2013. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD007807.pub2.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  43. Tamura H, Nakamura Y, Korkmaz A, Manchester LC, Tan DX, Sugino N, Reiter RJ. Melatonin and the ovary: physiological and pathophysiological implications. Fertil Steril. 2009;92:328–43.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  44. Voznesenskaya T, Makogon N, Bryzgina T, Sukhina V, Grushka N, Alexeyeva I. Melatonin protects against experimental immune ovarian failure in mice. Reprod Biol. 2007;7:207–20.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  45. Roth L, Taylor HS. Risks of smoking to reproductive health: assessment of women’s knowledge. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2001;184:934–9.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  46. Mattison DR, Donald R, Plowchalk DR, David R, Meadows MJ, Miller MM, Malek A, London S. The effect of smoking on oogenesis, fertilization and implantation. Semin Reprod Endocrinol. 1989;7:291–304.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  47. Baron JA, La Vecchia C, Levi F. The antiestrogenic effect of cigarette smoking in women. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 1990;162:502–14.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  48. Adena MA, Gallagher HG. Cigarette smoking and the age at menopause. Ann Human Biol. 1982;9:121–30.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  49. Plante BJ, Cooper GS, Baird DD, Steiner AZ. The impact of smoking on anti-mullerian hormone levels in women aged 38-50 years. Menopause. 2010;17:571–6.

    PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  50. Hayatbakhsh MR, Clavarino A, Williams GM, Sina M, Najman JM. Cigarette smoking and age of menopause: a large prospective study. Maturitas. 2012;72:346–52.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  51. van Kasteren Y. Treatment concepts for premature ovarian failure. J Soc Gynecol Investig. 2001;8:S58–9.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Laxmi A. Kondapalli MD, MSCE .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2016 Springer International Publishing Switzerland

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Cookingham, L.M., Kondapalli, L.A. (2016). Noninvasive Approaches to Enhance Ovarian Function. In: Santoro, N., Cooper, A. (eds) Primary Ovarian Insufficiency. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-22491-6_7

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-22491-6_7

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-22490-9

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-22491-6

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics