Galactosemia is a metabolic disease that can cause ovarian failure. Children with galactosemia are missing an enzyme needed to process a sugar called galactose. This is found in the diet primarily in lactose (in dairy products and many nutritional and pharmaceutical extenders). Galactose is now known to be present in many other foods, especially beans and peas. When you have galactosemia, the byproducts of galactose can destroy ovaries (but not testicles, for unknown reasons). A strict galactose-free diet may be able to save the ovaries, especially in mild cases of galactosemia. Widespread newborn screening for galactosemia in the United States has made undetected galactosemia uncommon. For those who have not been screened, a blood test or urine test can screen for the condition. Most people with galactosemia will develop obvious symptoms in infancy.