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Retention of normal ovarian function after hysterectomy
M G Metcalf1, V Braiden, J H Livesey
1Department of Endocrinology, Christchurch School of Medicine, New Zealand.
The Journal of Endocrinology
|December 1, 1992
Summary
Hysterectomy does not appear to affect long-term ovarian function in women. Ovarian cycles, indicated by pregnanediol levels, remained regular and ovulatory after uterus removal.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Endocrinology
- Gynecology
Background:
- Hysterectomy is a common surgical procedure for benign gynecological conditions.
- The long-term impact of hysterectomy on ovarian function in women without uterine pathology is not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the long-term effects of hysterectomy on ovarian function in women with a uterus removed for benign reasons.
- To determine if ovarian cyclicity and ovulation are maintained post-hysterectomy.
Main Methods:
- Urine samples were collected twice weekly for 53-149 days from 93 women (aged 29-44) who had undergone hysterectomy.
- Pregnanediol levels were analyzed to measure the interval between successive peaks and their increment over baseline.
- Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) was used to assess the effects of age and time since hysterectomy.
Main Results:
- The median interval between pregnanediol peaks was 27.3 days, with 93.3% of intervals between 21-35 days.
- 96.7% of observed pregnanediol peaks met criteria for ovulatory cycles, comparable to menstruant women.
- No significant effect of age or time since hysterectomy on peak interval or increment was found.
Conclusions:
- The ovaries of women who have undergone hysterectomy for benign reasons appear to function similarly to those of women with an intact uterus.
- Long-term ovarian cyclicity and ovulation are likely preserved after hysterectomy in the absence of other uterine pathologies.