Premature ovarian failure (POF) is when a woman's ovaries stop working before she is 40. POF used to be called premature menopause. However, POF is not the same as menopause. Some women with POF still have occasional periods. Premature menopause is when periods stop before age of 40. This can be natural or caused by surgery, chemotherapy or radiation.
Missed periods are usually the first sign of POF. Later symptoms may be similar to those of natural menopause.
