Living with P.O.F. (Premature Ovarian Failure)

P.O.F ( Premature Ovarian Failure), many who come across this article will probably never have heard of it. Yes, we are all more or less aware of the fact that women do eventually experience problems with their reproductive organs as they age, but what about the younger women who experience such problems? In this article, we will broach the definition of the condition, how certain groups of people react to it, and the many ways in which it affects those who have it.

We've all heard of menopause right? Well when a woman reaches a certain age, most usually her forties or fifties, her reproductive organs stop functioning as they did in her younger years. A complete shut down of her reproductive organs is the ultimate result. We all hear women on television talking about hearing their "biological clocks" ticking away, especially when they are thinking about getting married, settling down, and raising a family. They feel that they have to hurry before they are no longer able to have kids and that time is running against them. Have you ever heard of anyone younger than twenty worrying about their "biological clock"? Those with P.O.F are taken by surprise when told that they will never have to worry about their "biological clocks" because they have already reached their deadline. Premature Ovarian failure is essentially the same thing as going through menopause, only it's much earlier than expected. In P.O.F, a woman's ovaries are obviously no longer functioning as they should, so as a result of the condition, she is no longer capable of having children. Other than the obvious reasons why this could happen, such as abusing your body, doctors have no way of explaining why a young woman of thirteen through her twenties would experience menopause or anything like it. Unfortunately, as of this day and age, there is no way of reversing or curing the condition.

What's more interesting is the publics reaction when they find out. They don't stop to consider that you are already feeling like less of a woman, essentially broken due to the incapability to do what women are naturally equipped to do. Doctors top the list of those who are extremely insensitive to the condition. I can't speak for all doctors, but when I was diagnosed, my OB/GYN told me to suck it up and to adopt if I want kids that badly in the future. Then she turned around and had the nerve to ask if I'd participate in a study due to the rarity of the condition. Perhaps it was her overall tone and attitude that made me feel like she wanted to put tape over my mouth, stuff me with tubes, take blood tests, and stick me under the first available microscope. How could anyone feel like anything more than a desired lab rat when the doctor shows no signs of being the least bit sympathetic to your feelings? I often wonder what others feel when they are told they can never have children due to whatever condition they have.