Hysterectomy with ovarian conservation: effect on bone mineral density

A cross-sectional study was undertaken in 58 consecutive women with premenopausal hysterectomy and ovarian conservation (Group 1) and 59 randomly selected women with natural menopause (Group 2) to determine the effect of hysterectomy on bone mineral density (BMD). Subjects were similar in age, height, weight, body mass index (BMI), exercise levels, family history of osteoporosis and smoking levels, but not years since hysterectomy or menopause (Group 1 = 14.9 +/- 10.8 years versus Group 2 = 9.8 +/- 8.7 years; p = 0.005), age at hysterectomy or menopause (Group 1 = 42.3 +/- 7.3 years versus Group 2 = 45.9 +/- 6.9 years; p = 0.008) or current alcohol consumption (Group 1 = 13.8% versus Group 2 = 39%; p = 0.002). Dual X-ray absorptiometry of the raw (unadjusted) lumbar spine and femoral neck BMD were similar for the 2 groups: lumbar spine = 0.947 +/- 0.179 g/cm2 (Group 1) versus 0.958 +/- 0.203 g/cm2 (Group 2) (p = 0.76) and femoral neck = 0.825 +/- 0.127 g/cm2 (Group 1) versus 0.815 +/- 0.146 g/cm2 (Group 2) (p = 0.71). Multivariate linear regression revealed that factors other than hysterectomy were associated with lumbar spine and femoral neck BMD. Thus, prior hysterectomy with ovarian conservation has no adverse effect on lumbar spine or femoral neck BMD.