At Hysterectomy for Benign Indications, Best to Leave the Ovaries In

Bilateral oophorectomy is associated with higher all-cause mortality; the good news is that ovarian conservation is increasingly common.

Routine bilateral oophorectomy (BO) at hysterectomy may be more harmful than beneficial (JW Womens Health May 7 2009). Now, Nurses' Health Study (NHS) investigators have conducted an updated analysis of posthysterectomy follow-up extended to 28 years in >30,000 participants.

Among women who underwent hysterectomy for benign indications, 17% of those with BO and 13% of those with ovarian conservation had died. BO was associated with lower risk for death from ovarian cancer and (if performed before age 47.5) breast cancer. However — regardless of age at surgery — BO did not lower risk for death from other causes (i.e., coronary heart disease, stroke, and lung and colorectal cancer) or all-cause mortality. For women younger than 50 at surgery, …

Reviewing Author

Andrew M. Kaunitz, MD

Disclosures

RoyaltiesUpToDate

Grant/Research SupportMerck, Mithra, Medicines360

Editorial BoardsContraception; Menopause; Contraceptive Technology Update; OBG Management; Medscape OB/GYN & Women’s Health

Andrew M. Kaunitz, MD

Disclosures

RoyaltiesUpToDate

Grant/Research SupportMerck, Mithra, Medicines360

Editorial BoardsContraception; Menopause; Contraceptive Technology Update; OBG Management; Medscape OB/GYN & Women’s Health

At Hysterectomy for Benign Indications, Best to Leave the Ovaries In

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Reviewing Author