Exploring the Experiences and Reproductive Health Needs of Young Women With Premature Ovarian Insufficiency: A...

Premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) is defined as the loss of ovarian activity before age 40, resulting in hypoestrogenism, hypergonadotropic hypogonadism, amenorrhea, and infertility, significantly impacting women's reproductive and emotional health. This study explores the experiences and reproductive health needs of women with POI in Iran.

A qualitative study using conventional content analysis was conducted. Data were collected through semi-structured, in-depth interviews with 20 participants (14 women with POI, 3 specialists, and 3 healthcare providers) from infertility and health care centers in Tehran and Ahvaz, Iran, via purposeful sampling until data saturation. The participants were informed that the interview will be recorded, transcribed verbatim in Persian, and analyzed using MAXQDA 2024 software.

Six themes emerged from the data analysis: Psychological Distress and Identity Loss, Compromised Physical and Systemic Health, Deprivation of Reproductive Autonomy, The Experience of Premature Aging, Barriers to Integrated Healthcare, and Lack of Comprehensive Social Support.

The findings of this study reveal that the experience of Iranian women with premature ovarian insufficiency extends beyond purely medical dimensions, encompassing deep psychological, social, and legal challenges. These women grapple with feelings such as psychological failure stemming from the loss of fertility and the sensation of aging prematurely. Furthermore, the analysis highlights their "Deprivation of Reproductive Autonomy" and a critical need for comprehensive supportive systems that are not currently accessible, a finding tied directly to the themes of "Barriers to Integrated Healthcare" and "Lack of Comprehensive Social Support."