Bone loss after hysterectomy with ovarian conservation.

OBJECTIVE

To examine the long-term effects of hysterectomy with conservation of the ovaries on bone density of the lumbar spine and proximal femur.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study of the bone density of 40 postmenopausal women who had undergone hysterectomy with ovarian conservation before menopause compared with a matched group of 40 women who had not had hysterectomy. The 40 women who had undergone hysterectomy were also compared with a control population, using multiple linear regression analysis. Bone density of the femoral neck and lumbar spine was measured by quantitative digital radiography.

RESULTS

Bone density in the hysterectomy group was significantly reduced at the spine (P < .05) and at the femoral neck (P < .05) compared with the matched group. Comparisons of the hysterectomy group with the reference group demonstrated that in addition to significant reductions in bone density at the spine (P < .05) and hip (P < .05), bone density at the femoral neck (P < .05), trochanter (P < .05), Ward's triangle (P < .05), and the second (P < .05) and fourth (P < .05) lumbar vertebrae was also significantly less in the hysterectomy group.

CONCLUSION

Premenopausal women who have hysterectomy will have significantly lower bone density than controls, despite conservation of both ovaries at the time of surgery.