Effect of Hysterectomy on conserved Ovarian function

Ahn, Eun Hee; Song, Chan Ho; Kim, Jung Youn; Park, Ki Hyun; Bai, Sang Wook; Lee, Jai Sung; Kwon, Ja Yung

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
To assess the impact of premenopausal total abdominal hysterectomy (TAH) on the function of remaining ovaries by reviewing the menopausal age in patients treated with total abdominal hysterectomy.
METHODS
We retrospectively reviewed medical records of 510 women previously treated with TAH or TAH with unilateral salpingo-oophorectomy (USO) due to benign disease at the department of Obstetric and Gynecology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, between Jan, 1989 and Dec, 1992. Out of 510 women, 94 women who were thoroughly follwed up were included in the study, and their meopausal age based on patients symptoms were compared to those of the control group. RESULT: Mean menopausal age in patients treated with TAH was 46.3+/-3.0 years and in the normal control group was 49.1+/-3.2 years. The mean age of menopause was significantly lowered in patients treated with TAH/TAH with USO (P< 0.001). There was positive correlation between age at operation and menopausal age.
CONCLUSION
According to this study, TAH accelerated ovarian dysfunction, and younger the patient is at the time of operation, earlier the menopause. Therefore, woman treated with TAH is at risk of early menopause and should receive adequate hormone replacement therapy.