A recent study, published online on September 12, 2023, in Menopause, reveals that women who undergo ovary removal before menopause may face elevated risks of various chronic health conditions in the long term.
The study involved 274 women with an average age of 67, all of whom had their ovaries removed before menopause for noncancerous reasons, with or without a hysterectomy. Approximately 22 years after the surgery, these women underwent comprehensive physical exams to evaluate the presence of chronic conditions, as well as to measure their strength and mobility.
The findings indicated that compared to women of the same age who retained their ovaries, those who underwent ovary removal before the age of 46 were 64% more likely to have arthritis, twice as likely to suffer from obstructive sleep apnea, and nearly three times as likely to have experienced a bone fracture. Additionally, these women performed less well on a six-minute walk test. Even women who had their ovaries removed between the ages of 46 and 49 faced higher odds of arthritis and sleep apnea compared to their counterparts who did not undergo the surgery.
However, the study did not establish a clear link between ovary removal before menopause and various other conditions, including cancer, diabetes, dementia, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, irregular heart rhythm, osteoporosis, or kidney, liver, and thyroid diseases.
The researchers recommend that women who undergo ovary removal before menopause should consider estrogen therapy until around the age of 50 to mitigate potential health risks associated with the procedure.
