FMR1 and Premature Ovarian Failure

This Web site is designed to gather input from the scientific community, advocacy groups, professional societies, and other interested parties after the October 26, 2006 FMR1 Premutation and Premature Ovarian Failure Scientific Workshop held in New Orleans.

Premature ovarian failure, previously known as premature menopause, is a condition in which the ovaries stop functioning normally in a woman younger than age 40. Common symptoms include absent or irregular periods, hot flashes, and infertility. Although most cases do not have an identifiable cause, research has demonstrated that carriers of a premutation in the FMR1 gene are at increased risk for spontaneous premature ovarian failure. An April 2005 NICHD meeting identified a need to establish standardized clinical definitions, terminology, and testing recommendations in order to facilitate research in this area.