Hysterectomy : Keeping ovaries may prolong your life

Traditionally, if a woman over 40 is having a hysterectomy she is advised to have her ovaries taken out to reduce the risk of developing ovarian cancer. While this is very good advice if you are at high risk of developing ovarian cancer, it’s not necessarily the best advice for other women.

Risks of removing your ovaries

Recent research has shown that women who have their ovaries removed have a much higher risk of developing heart disease.
Two groups of women (one group had their ovaries removed and the others kept theirs) were studied and the results showed that the women who had their ovaries removed:

• had a higher chance of dying (12% increase)
• had a higher risk of developing heart disease (17% increase)
• had a higher chance of developing lung cancer (26% increase)

However, they did not develop ovarian cancer and were less likely to get breast cancer.

In the US about 14,700 women die from ovarian cancer each year. While this is a painful experience for the woman and her family, this is much less than over 400,000 deaths in women from from heart disease and stroke combined.
Other studies have shown an increase in osteoporosis and dementia women who had their ovaries taken out.

Every little helps

After menopause, your ovaries stop producing progesterone, but they keep producing testosterone and small amounts of estrogen. The testosterone is changed into estrogen outside the ovaries e.g the fat cells. This helps to protect against diseases like heart disease, osteoporosis and dementia.

What does this mean for you?

Ovarian cancer is a horrible disease which is very difficult to catch early and to cure. But quite frankly, there are other diseases that are more likely to kill you. If you have a low risk for developing ovarian cancer and breast cancer, there’s really no good reason for removing your ovaries. If you’re having a hysterectomy for a problem that’s not cancer-related, discuss the benefits and risks with your doctor. Consider your own personal risk factors and circumstances to help you make an informed decision.

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