Premature ovarian failure (POF) is a loss of ovarian function under the age of 45. Spontaneous POF affects around 1% of women under the age of 40 and 5% under 45.
Women with POF have lower bone density than controls, increased risk of osteoporosis and fractures in later life compared with controls.
Combined hormone replacement therapy (HRT) or the combined oral contraceptive pill (COCP) are commonly prescribed to women with POF.
HRT is more “physiological,” because most preparations contain estradiol, which is found naturally, whereas COCPs contain the synthetic ethinyl oestradiol and higher doses of progestin.
COCPs are recognized to increase the risk of venous thrombo-embolism and are also considered a risk factor for cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease.
In this symposium Prof Bassel Wattar and Prof Vikram Talaulikar discuss the findings of a trial by Cartwright et al which evaluated safety and efficacy of the combined oral contraceptive versus HRT on optimising bone health in women with POF.
Link to the YouTube video:
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