The term premature ovarian failure describes a stop in the normal functioning of the ovaries in a women younger than 40.

Withdrawal from hormonal contraception in order to pursue fertility is a common time to diagnose premature ovarian failure.
Masking symptoms of  with hormonal therapy may be contributing to an underestimation of the actual incidence of premature ovarian failure and leading to a delay in diagnosis and treatment
Irregular periods
Hot flashes and night sweats
Irritability poor concentration
 Decreased interest in sex or pain during sex  
Drying of the vagina
Infertility

The diagnosis of POF is made with a through medical evaluation that begins with a complete history and physical examination along with a simple blood test of hormonal therapy measuring an FSH level, or follicle stimulating hormone and E2. When the FSH value is over 15 IU and  the E2 value is below 50pg/ml on at least two occasions over a four weeks period, the diagnosis can be made. Other diagnostic testing that may be used in the evaluation includes genetic karyotyping, assessment of other organ systems such as the thyroid or bones, and antibody testing to search for signs of autoimmune diseases that are often associated with POF.

Although the symptoms are often similar and premature ovarian failure  was once thought to be a form of premature menopause, there are many differences in the two conditions. Normal menopause occurs as a result of aging, which results in follicle depletion and the onset of menopause with related symptoms. With premature ovarian failure, up to 50% of patients may ovulate once in any given year and 5-10% may become pregnant, leading to a theory that there is a follicular dysfunction rather than complete ovarian failure. In addition, premature ovarian failure is often associated with autoimmune disease, the most common being thyroid dysfunction. These characteristics are not common to menopause with the cessation of ovarian function in the early fifties.