What can cause a young woman to have premature ovarian failure?

Many causes: There are many causes for premature ovarian failure. Chemotherapy and radiation and certain medications can damage the ovaries. There are genetic causes such as fragile x and turner's syndrome. In many women, there is no identifiable cause which can be frustrating.

POF is low eggs: Premature ovarian failure is the loss of the eggs the ovary before age 35. Eggs are a limited and valuable resource. The number is set at birth at around a million. Two-thirds disappear in childhood and the remainder during the reproductive years. By menopause few eggs remain. Starting with a lower number, accelerated loss through surgery, smoking, or immune illness result in premature failure.