Pelvic Prolapse Lower In Women Who Have Their Ovaries Removed

Sometimes women may need to undergo a hysterectomy. It can help to lower the risk of pelvic organ prolapse, which is oftentimes seen during menopause. Recent findings published in the journal Menopause examine contradictions of the traditional belief that removing ovaries at hysterectomy boosts a women's risk of pelvic organ prolapse following menopause.

For the study, researchers examined about 9,000 female participants in the Women's Health Initiative. They found that those who kept their ovaries had a 23 percent increased risk of experiencing organ prolapse than those who had them removed and also needed no estrogen therapy as well.

"When it comes to prolapse, age is likely more important than menopause and estrogen decline," said Dr. Margery Gass, the executive director of The North American Menopause Society, in a news release.

More information regarding the findings can be seen via the article "Effects of bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy at the time of hysterectomy on pelvic organ prolapse: results from the Women's Health Initiative trial."