Gynecologists and obstetricians have long suspected that a hysterectomy greatly increases a younger woman’s risk for developing early menopause. And now the speculation has been confirmed by a new study from Duke University’s Department of Community and Family Medicine.
Published in Obstetrics & Gynecology in December, the study used wide-ranging statistical data over a span of several years to show that hysterectomies have a hormonal impact on women that leads to menopause earlier than is normal.
Hysterectomy is actually a pretty common treatment option for health problems such as fibroids. But the findings of this study should encourage women and their doctors to consider alternative methods of treatment if they want to avoid the side effect of early menopause.
Image: Shutterstock