A Murdoch Children’s Research Institute (MCRI)-led project to explore the cause of early menopause has been awarded a Federal Government grant.

Dr Elena Tucker has received a $1 million Infertility Pregnancy Loss and Menopause grant by the Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) to investigate the genetic and lifestyle factors that drive premature ovarian insufficiency (POI). The project will lead to the creation of the Australian Premature Ovarian Insufficiency Network (A-POINT).

POI impacts up to 4 per cent of women and girls and causes a loss of ovarian activity before the age of 40. The condition affects fertility and can lead to anxiety, depression, heart disease and osteoporosis.

The funding will allow Dr Tucker to investigate which combination of genetic variations are linked to POI and whether specific lifestyle factors also play a role.

Dr Tucker said while POI was associated with over 100 known gene variations, significant knowledge gaps remained.

“Women and girls with POI often go through a prolonged diagnostic odyssey, which means they don’t receive an official or clear diagnosis for years, impacting their quality of life,” she said.

Image: Dr Elena Tucker

“We need to improve our understanding of POI at a genetic level so we can include this condition in broad genetic testing and provide early answers to patients.” 

The project leverages expertise from Victorian Clinical Genetics Services (VCGS), Genomics Australia and the Australasian Menopause Society (AMS).

Read more about MCRI’s Reproductive Development research.