The unforeseen dangers of ovariectomy

Reported by Susan Aldridge, PhD, medical journalist

Ovary removal is linked to higher mortality rates, according to long-term study.
If a woman has her ovaries removed - because of conditions that may include ovarian cancer - her estrogen levels will plummet unless she has hormone replacement therapy. A long-term study from the Mayo Clinic now reveals that ovariectomy without hormone replacement can place a woman at risk of premature death.

They followed up a group of over 2,000 women having either one or both ovaries removed. All had ovariectomy for reasons other than ovarian cancer and were followed up for 25 to 30 years. Women under 45 having bilateral ovariectomy without proper hormone replacement - that is, where there was a delay in giving hormones - had a 1.7 times increased risk of death from all causes. The risk was most significant for estrogen-related cancers and diseases of the brain and nervous system. The researchers think that maybe the loss of estrogen produced by ovary removal is harmful for the heart and brain. Women prone to ovary problems may also have some underlying vulnerability to other diseases, leading to increased mortality risk. These findings, which were unexpected and only emerged because of the long-term follow up, may change the way doctors view ovary removal. Obviously, for ovarian cancer ovariectomy is usually necessary, but prompt hormone replacement is clearly a must if the woman's future health is to be protected.

Source
The Lancet Oncology 1st October 2006

Please take a moment to give us your comments. For questions about Health matters you may check our "Questions & Answers" Portal and Service.