Thousands of women have hysterectomies every year, but new research indicates that if you have your ovaries removed at an early age you're at a higher risk for dementia in later years.
Natasha Matt-Hunsrud is married, has three kids, is a nurse and still fits in time for home cooked meals.
So when symptoms of heavy menstrual bleeding slowed her down, she went to the Mayo Clinic where her gynecologist made the diagnosis; Fibroids in the uterus. The bleeding needed to be treated.
Natasha considered having a hysterectomy and initially planned to have her ovaries removed at the same time, but her doctor let her know the decision is not that simple.
During surgery, many women choose to have their ovaries removed because it cuts their risk of ovarian cancer, but ovaries produce estrogen, a hormone with many known health benefits.
It protects against cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis and now two new studies show that estrogen may also protect a woman's brain.
"We discovered that if the ovaries were removed early in life there was almost a doubling of the risk of cognitive impairment and dementia," says epidemiologist, Dr. Walter Rocca.
Dr. Rocca says if women have their ovaries removed before menopause, they should consider hormone therapy to reduce the risk of these neurological diseases.
Information all women should know as they consider the risks and benefits of surgery and which option is right for them. Natasha decided to go a head with surgery
"What was most right for me was to proceed with the hysterectomy but at all costs, conserve as much ovarian function as possible."
Additional comments by Dr. Rhonda Low:
What is the risk of ovarian cancer if a woman's ovaries are left in place?
Every year, about 2400 women will be diagnosed with ovarian cancer. Various things can increase a woman's risk for the disease such as having a family history of ovarian cancer or having no children. On the other hand, birth control pill use decreases the risk. Being on the birth control pill can be protective, but in general for the average woman her lifetime risk of developing ovarian cancer is about 1 in 70.
The researchers suggest hormone replacement for those women who have their ovaries removed before menopause. What about the risks of HRT?
As with any treatment, you have to weigh the risks and benefits, but for sure, many of my patients in this situation initially need the hormone therapy to help offset the sudden menopausal symptoms that they may have. Usually for fewer than 5 years so the negative effects of HRT are minimized. Also, research is suggesting that HRT may be beneficial and reduce death rates when used in women under the age of 60.
