20 years after Rachel went through menopause at the age of 17: She confounded the medical profession by giving birth to her daughter Holly

Rachel Merchant was just 17 when she was given the devastating news that she would never be able to have children.

Doctors told her she had suffered an early menopause which had left her infertile. 

Now, nearly 20 years on, she has confounded the medical profession by giving birth to a daughter, Holly.

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Miss Merchant couldn't believe it when she fell pregnant as Specialists told Miss Merchant, now 36, that the condition must have reversed, although they cannot explain why. 

ROBBED OF MOTHERHOOD: EARLY MENOPAUSE 

Early menopause is rare in younger women, affecting around one in 1,000 under 30s.

It occurs when the ovaries fail, which can be caused by genetic problems or infections such as mumps or malaria.

It can also be triggered by treatments such as chemotherapy.

Many sufferers have to rely on IVF treatment to become pregnant, almost always using a donor egg. 

But younger women could start to menstruate again, even years after the diagnosis. Up to 10 per cent of women with ovarian failure can conceive on their own, usually because some healthy eggs remain in the body.