Premature ovarian failure risk factors in an Iranian population

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to determine possible correlates of premature ovarian failure (POF) in an Iranian population. METHODS: In a case-control study, 80 patients with POF were compared with 80 controls enrolled from the same setting during 2007–2008. A food diary was used to assess food consumption habits. RESULTS: Mean age of starting ovarian failure symptoms was 19.3 ± 5.7 years and mean age of menopause was 22.6 ± 6.3 years. Familial coincidence was observed in 16 POF patients versus no one in the control group (P < 0.05). POF patients had lower frequency of both eating red meat and fish when compared with controls (P < 0.001). POF and control subjects consumed similar amounts of dairy products, being 5.3 ± 3.2 times per week in POF and 5.6 ± 2.1 times in the control groups. CONCLUSION: In this study, an association between POF and lower red meat or fish consumption was found.