Premature ovarian failure, also known as primary ovarian insufficiency refers to a loss of normal function of the ovaries before the age of 40. The main function of the ovaries is to stores and release eggs. If the ovaries fail, they don't produce normal amounts of the hormone estrogen or release eggs regularly. Woman will be left with no or few eggs. Depending on the cause, premature ovarian failure may develop as early as in the teen years, or the problem may have been present from birth. Infertility is the output of this problem.

Premature ovarian failure is sometimes referred to as premature menopause, but two conditions aren't exactly the same. Women with premature ovarian failure may have irregular or occasional periods, infertility problems, and menopause-like symptoms. It is difficult, though not impossible, for women who have premature ovarian failure to become pregnant. Women with premature menopause stop having periods and can't become pregnant. Restoring estrogen levels in women with premature ovarian failure helps prevent some complications, such as osteoporosis, but infertility is harder to treat.

Causes of Premature Ovarian Failure (POF)

Although the exact cause of premature ovarian failure is unknown, a genetic factor or a problem with the body's immune system may play a role in some women. In an immune system disorder, the body may attack its own tissues the ovaries. Premature ovarian failure may develop after a hysterectomy or other pelvic surgery or from radiation or chemotherapy treatment for cancer. In some of these cases, the condition may be temporary, with the ovaries starting to work again some years later. With POF, some women still have occasional periods. They may even get pregnant. In most cases of POF, the cause is unknown.

The symptoms of premature ovarian failure are similar to those of menopause and are typical of estrogen deficiency. They include:

1) Irregular or skipped periods (amenorrhea), which may be present for years or may develop after a pregnancy or after stopping birth control pills
2) Hot flashes
3) Night sweats
4) Vaginal dryness
5) Irritability or difficulty concentrating
6) Decreased sexual desire
7) Trouble sleeping

Making the Diagnosis of Premature Ovarian Failure (POF)

The first step in making the diagnosis is a blood test to check whether or not the ovary is producing estrogen and whether the pituitary gland is producing the hormones FSH and LH that stimulate the ovarian follicles. If the pituitary hormones are elevated and the ovary is not producing estrogen, then the diagnosis of POF is made. A transvaginal ultrasound may also be done to evaluate the ovaries. In POF patients, the ovaries are usually small and there are few follicles seen.

Treatment options available for Premature Ovarian Failure (POF)

Treatment for premature ovarian failure will help to manage the symptoms. There is currently no treatment that will make the ovaries start to work properly again. Doctor may prescribe hormone therapy or other medicines to help with hot flashes. Hormone therapy can also help prevent early bone loss in women who have premature ovarian failure. Some women with premature ovarian failure may choose to try to become pregnant using donor eggs and in vitro fertilization. Estrogen therapy and Calcium and vitamin D supplements help prevent osteoporosis. None of these treatments have been proven to be effective in restoring fertility. However, 8% of women with POF who have conceived were using Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT). Even though there is no absolute treatment, HRT has been one aid in helping women achieve pregnancy. Egg donation is, undoubtedly, the most successful treatment option for women with POF. With their own eggs, POF patients have a very low pregnancy chance. POF patient with egg donor program has high chance of achieving pregnancy.

Factors that increase the risk of developing premature ovarian failure include age where the risk of ovarian failure rises sharply between age 35 and age 40. Another is family history. Having a family history of premature ovarian failure increases your risk of developing this disorder.

Complications of premature ovarian failure include:

Infertility. Inability to get pregnant may be the most troubling complication of premature ovarian failure, although in rare cases, pregnancy is possible. There's no treatment proved to restore fertility in women with this condition. Some women and their partners choose to pursue a pregnancy through in vitro fertilization using donor eggs. The procedure involves removing eggs from a donor and fertilizing them with your partner's sperm in a lab. The fertilized egg (embryo) is then placed in your uterus. During this process, you take medication that balances your hormones to support a pregnancy. Once the pregnancy is established, you stop taking the medication and the pregnancy proceeds naturally to the delivery.

Osteoporosis . The hormone estrogen helps maintain strong bones. Women with low levels of estrogen have an increased risk of developing weak and brittle bones (osteoporosis), which are more likely to break than healthy bones.

Depression or anxiety. The risk of infertility and other complications arising from low estrogen levels may cause some women to become depressed or anxious.

At this time, there is no way to prevent premature ovarian failure. But you can take steps to protect your overall health. Women with premature ovarian failure have a higher risk of bone thinning and fractures (osteoporosis), diabetes, and heart disease. A balanced and low-fat diet, regular exercise, and not smoking can help protect your bones and heart. Getting enough calcium and vitamin D may help slow bone loss. Talk to your doctor about other steps you can take.

Fertility preservation, whether through ovarian tissue cryopreservation, egg freezing or embryo freezing, is the latest ART technology. It helps women with the option of attaining motherhood at the later stage in the life. It also helps cancer patients to become pregnant after the treatment. Fertility preservation may become a major part of proactive POF treatment in the future.

Learning that you have premature ovarian failure may be emotionally difficult. But with proper treatment and self-care, you can expect to lead a healthy life. Rupal Hospital for Women is a premiere leader in women's healthcare since 45 long years. We are committed to providing women with the highest quality and most advanced healthcare throughout all stages of their lives, from adolescence through menopause. The team of specialist doctors at Rupal hospital helps and guides women with the premature ovarian failure problems in treatment and having a baby using donor egg IVF & assisted reproductive technology.

We at Rupal Hospital educate and create awareness amongst the women about the nature of their disease and the current treatments available.

Start creating your family by Contacting today Rupal Hospital for Menopause clinic and Fertility treatment in Surat and for consultation with our highly skilled fertility specialist Doctors at http://www.rupalhospital.com or at http://www.rupalhospital.com/infertilitytreatmentformaleandfemale.html or http://rupalhospital.wordpress.com or you can contact us on +91-261-2599128 to schedule an appointment with us.

How to Remember God: Dr. Shriniwas Janardan Kashalikar

Introduction:
It is important to be clear about why to remember God, before knowing how to remember God. God is essentially the source of strength, bliss and peace of completeness. Having forgotten this we are always in the state of weakness, dissatisfaction and restlessness born out of incompleteness. Remembering God is actually reorienting and retrieving this source of strength, bliss and peace, which then keeps emanating from within, enlightening and empowering the others. The simplest way is to remember any name of God ( a word that generates reverence, devotion, surrender and gratitude in your mind).

Steps:
Remember the name of God when you get up.
Remember the name of God when you wash your face.
Remember the name of God when you brush your teeth.
Remember the name of God when you do oral massage.
Remember the name of God when you take a shower or take bath.
Remember the name of God before you eat anything.
Remember the name of God before you drink anything.
Remember the name of God before you begin to talk on phone.
Remember the name of God just before you go to bed.
Refrain from thinking and feeling that this is merely a repetitive and unproductive activity.
Continue steadfastly with top priority and with determination, even if there are doubts and reluctance.
Remember that there is no other advice as selfless and as benevolent as this.

Tips:
It is possible that you think this is a repetitive and unproductive activity, because of your own obliviousness to God i.e. your innermost core on the one hand and the overwhelming forces of sensory perceptions creating doubts and conflicts.

Due to the same reason many people may ridicule and try to dissuade you from this activity.

Warning:
Remembrance of God (true self) is life and forgetfulness of God (true self) is death.

Explanation of How to Do Oral Massage: Dr. Shriniwas Kashalikar

The representation of body in brain is called homunculus. The extent of the area in brain represented by different parts is important in two ways. Firstly, it signifies the relative importance of the part represented and secondly; it signifies the influence of the stimulation of the particular part on the brain.In this sense the oral cavity is immensely important because it has huge representation in brain. Consequently it is natural that stimulation of the oral cavity by procedures such as oral massage is crucial to improving not only oral health but also the overall general health of an individual. This technique is refreshing and soothing and is likely to be because of secretion of endogenous endorphins and enkephalins..

Oral massage involves rubbing of palate, underparts of tongue and gums. This can be done conveniently after brushing teeth. It leads to beneficial stimulation of the corresponding areas in brain, physical/mechanical stimulation and decongestion of the base of maxillary sinus, improvement in circulation in this area, activation of salivary secretion; and thereby; improves the over all and oral health.

Oral massage is a simple technique that does not require any gadgets and is totally inexpensive. It is traditionally practiced in India and is called mukha-marjan (mukha = mouth or oral cavity and marjana = cleansing, restoring health). But strangely even in India in general; the dentists or dental surgeons do not emphasize the importance of this and this is not advertized as well.

Since this piece of information is not included in routine books on physiology and hygiene also; it is important to spread this information through every other possible manner for the benefit of all. This can contribute at least to some extent (without any expenses) in the global health promotion. This gives innate and lasting satisfaction at almost no cost helping in spiritual development.

Steps
1 Gargle your mouth.
2 Brush your teeth.
3 Wash your hands properly.
4 Make sure your nails are cut properly.
5 Rub your palate point by point with thumb from left to right in a gentle manner.
6 Rub upper left gums with thumb.
7 Rub upper right gums with thumb.
8 Rub lower left gums with thumb.
9 Rub lower right gum with index finger.
10 Rub under-surface of tongue with right thumb and index finger.
11 Gargle again.
12 Note the difference before and after this procedure of oral massage
13 Share this with your family, friends and acquaintances; and in fact with maximum people as "more the merrier"; through every possible means !

Tips
In case of removable dentures please remove your dentures before massage. This would give better results.
Oral massage is found to improve alertness, reduces sinus infection by reducing congestion and improvement of blood supply to the base of maxillary sinus, reduce bad smell (halitosis), reduce incidence and severity of oral infections by improving salivary secretion and improve the health of gums and teeth; to the best of physiological potentials.
It is a harmless activity and probably helps in secretion of endorphins and gives calmness and composure of mind.
To add value; recite the name of God you believe or revere; silently; while massaging. This further relieves anxiety and restlessness.
Sharing your experiences with others reinforces a wellness cycle and contributes to global welfare at least in a small measure.

Warnings
To avoid infections and/or injury
Make sure you wash you hands properly
Be sure that you cut your nails properly
Be gentle while massaging.

Things You'll Need
You don't need anything except your own clean and safe hands.

Sources and Citations
Conceptual Stress: Dr. Shriniwas Kashalikar

I got a call from emergency that a 32 year old female had come with severe pain in abdomen & vomiting. She had pain since five days and no she was also running fever. I went to examine her. She looked familiar. She had my old case papers. She meet me couple of years back. She had Gallstones but refused to get operated because she said it was hardly causing any symptoms.
Read More : http://drbcshah.com/waited-too-long/

How to reduce Road Accidents: Dr. Shriniwas Kashalikar

Introduction
Apart from many obvious causes; the Major cause of accidents and related problems; is excessive production and marketing of small vehicles of individual use (small cars and two wheelers) and instead of vehicles (buses, trams, trains) of comfortable mass transport. The immediate step to reduce the road accidents is improvement of public (mass) transport by quantitative and qualitative improvement in production, maintenance, frequency and service of buses, trams and trains etc. All the following and such many ideas and their effective implementation are born out of, evolved through and empowered by NAMASMARAN.

Steps
# Understand that excessive increase in number of vehicles on roads (apart from other overemphasized factors) leads to increase in the number of vehicular accidents and causes
1.congestion and unnecessary load on traffic control system.
2.There is commensurate increase in fuel consumption causing chemical pollution and also in import expenses; leading to increase of fuel prices and subsequent increase in the food prices.
3.The wear and tear of roads increases. Consequently there is increase in accidents due bad condition of roads as well as increase in the maintenance expenses and disturbance and delay to smooth traffic.
4. Excessive increase in noise pollution results due to; blowing of horns; which is especially troublesome; to hospitals, schools, and other places; where silence is essential.
5. Traffic jams adding to further increase in fuel consumption and wastage of time, disastrously affecting the performance and/or productivity of the people of different occupations.
6. Increase in vehicular exhaust causing global warming.
7. Excess of load on local trains and other means of public transport [where ever available] and consequent accidents, quarrels and mishaps
8. Overall increase in tardiness in the traffic and increase in anxiety and tension, further increasing the quarrels, traffic crimes the number and severity of accidents and difficulty in providing medical aid (and disaster management) due to difficulty in movement of ambulances and fire fighters.
9. The Eco-friendly bicycles production and sale suffers due to “imposing and threatening” presence of cars, motorcycles, rickshaws, scooters etc.
10. Excessive production of vehicles; is associated with; unproductive and wasteful work; such as insurance, registration and traffic policing!
11. Increase (due to difficulty in enforcing law and order) riots, thefts etc due to slowing of police movement
12. Excessive production of un-degradable solid waste.
13. The need and construction of excessively wide and cement or asphalt roads at the cost of irreplaceable trees (extremely important for avoiding global warming, pollution, rain and organic manure) and open earth surface (extremely important and vital for absorbing and holding rain water) and unnecessary disruption of the natural habitat of the animals.
# Understand that one wrong policy and its implementation can cause and increase several problems in society; apart from road accidents.
# Understand that this is one of the fallouts of mismanaged stress.Stress if not managed properly; leads to defects in regulation, control, coordination, harmony, efficiency inside and outside us. Stress leads to hundreds of psychological, neurological, endocrine and metabolic disturbances, which are reflected in the behavior also. One of the defective aspects of disturbed behavior is accident proneness and defective driving behavior and the other is wrong policy making.
# Understand that many of us; the sufferers; who are so much stressed and are unable manage it; fall victim to the diseased model of progress that promotes multiplication of small vehicles of individual transport. They can’t even identify and understand the defect in the policy responsible for the increase in the number and severity accidents. The stress seems to have made us incapacitated, inactive, indifferent, apathetic, cynical and frustrated; that we refuse to; or are unable to participate rectifying the causes responsible for accidents and their complications. Thus, we indirectly support and promote defective policies and their implementation multiplying accidents.
# Share this understanding with others through social media and other means.
# Understand that the prevalent dominance of individualistic model of progress is detrimental and has to replaced by a concept of individual and global blossoming.
# Understand that this may appear difficult and in fact it is. Hence determined efforts to share this preliminary solution at least in principle is essential. It has to be further buttressed by adding suitable details and/or refinement by the conscientious experts in this field.

Tips
* Many measures are taken to reduce the accidents; but in absence of eradicating the root; the problem will continue to will keep getting aggravated.
* Try to look at the suggestions objectively so that you can appreciate their importance, effectiveness and urgency.
* This observation about the accidents may appear naive; because of our own selfishness.