Chemotherapy and Radiation Therapy
When the ovary starts malfunctioning after chemotherapy or radiation therapy, it is called “acute ovarian failure”. This situation may occur for a short period. The occurrence of gonadotoxicity after chemotherapy depends on several factors, such as the woman’s age when she had chemotherapy, the drugs administered, and the number of doses. It would help to know that acute ovarian failure mainly occurs after using alkylating agents [5] or procarbazine. Follicles of younger patients may survive after receiving chemotherapy. The chances of having acute failure are high when the body, brain, and spinal have been exposed to radiation. Additionally, exposing the pelvic to radiation may increase the chance of having this condition.
The chances of having primary ovarian sufficiency are high in people who have received both chemotherapy and radiation therapy. It is essential to know that even women who menstruate after chemotherapy have an increased long-term risk of primary ovarian insufficiency.
Chemotherapy and radiation therapy are significant causes of ovarian abnormalities triggered by toxins. These therapies can negatively affect genetic materials in the cell. Other foreign substances, including cigarette smoke, chemicals, pesticides and viruses, might trigger ovarian failure and the immune system response to ovarian tissue (autoimmune disease). The immune system releases antibodies to fight the ovarian tissue, destroying the egg-containing follicles and the egg. The factors that trigger this reaction are unknown. However, experts suggest that viral exposure is a possible trigger.
In some cases, the cause of primary ovarian insufficiency is often unknown (idiopathic). Your doctor may advise you to undergo more testing to know the reason. However, the cause remains unknown even after more testing in several situations.
Risk Factors
These factors can make you more susceptible to primary ovarian insufficiency:
- Age: People between the ages of 35 and 40 are more susceptible. Some women younger than 30 may experience the condition. Primary ovarian insufficiency can be observed in younger women and even in teens.
- Family history: The chances of having the disorder are high if a family member has experienced it in the past.
- Ovarian surgery: Surgeries on the ovaries or organs associated with it increase the risk of primary ovarian insufficiency.