No Clear Benefit of Ovary Removal with Hysterectomy Jul 29, 2008
Called prophylactic oophorectomy, the procedure is done with the goal of lowering the woman's future risk of ovarian cancer, and to avoid further surgeries for problems like benign ovarian growths ... Of these women, 106 elected to also have a preventive oophorectomy ... Over the next year, the researchers found no clear effect of the oophorectomy on women's sexual or psychological well-being. (MEDLINEplus)
Removing Ovaries During Hysterectomy: Effects Remain Unknown Jul 21, 2008
The reason most commonly given for carrying out an oophorectomy at the same time is that it prevents ovarian cancer ... "There could be a real benefit or harm associated with oophorectomy, but it has not been identified, more research of higher methodological quality is needed." says Dr. Orozco. (Science Daily)
Five things you didn't know about: Menopause Jun 18, 2008
Surgical menopause hysterectomy with bilateral oophorectomy occurs suddenly rather than gradually, due to the sudden drop in estrogen. Pack on pounds: It s typical during the menopausal transition for women to gain weight, even when they are eating the same amount of food. (La Crosse Tribune, WI)
Cancer test a genetic crystal ball for Jewish women May 25, 2008
She underwent a double mastectomy as well as an oophorectomy, which is removal of the ovaries. Having the genetic testing, Dr. Lieberman-Moses feels, has saved the lives of some of her family members, who now know what they may face in the future. (Globe and Mail -- Business)
Book Review: Masha Gessen's 'Blood Matters' May 10, 2008
Given the relative odds, one would think Gessen's genetic counselors would have advised a pre-emptive mastectomy rather than an oophorectomy, or removal of the ovaries. To her surprise, they recommended an oophorectomy. (International Herald Tribune -- Arts)
Defying destiny: One woman's cancer story Mar 29, 2008
Shes saving the last, an oophorectomy (removal of the ovaries) for when she turns 40. That means that somehow, in the next year and a half, I need to have a child, she says. (MSNBC -- Health)
Experts: 2/3 of hysterectomies unneeded Mar 5, 2008
Finally, when she was 45, doctors strongly advised her to have a total hysterectomy with oophorectomy-- removal of her uterus, cervix, and ovaries. She immediately started menopause. (CNN -- Health)
Ovary Removal Protects Some High-Risk Women Feb 14, 2008
For an average of three years, they followed 509 women aged 30 or older who had a BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation and had the ovary removal surgery (oophorectomy), comparing them with 283 women who also had the mutations but did not elect to have the surgery. "In the women who elected oophorectomy, if we look at the entire group, 1 and 2 together, we saw that women who had their ovaries removed have an 88 percent reduction in the risk of gynecologic cancer and 47 percent [reduction of risk] in breast... (MEDLINEplus)
Breast Cancer Gene Risk May Be Overstated Jan 17, 2008
lack of ability to obtain information regarding risk reduction strategies of the relatives, such as oophorectomy( possibly a factor) or preventative mastectomy (probably rare) ... He has reported approximately an ongoing rate of 3 % per year rate of developing breast cancer among his study subjects who have not taken strong preventative steps such as oophorectomy, tamoxifen or bilateral preventative mastectomy ... My research into this subject left me feeling that I needed to have preventative... (Yahoo News -- Cancer)
From FEMA To Female Nov 5, 2007
It took Gawker, the world's fastest bloggers, only three minutes after the article's appearance to post: "It's only a matter of time before obstetricians can be heard screaming, 'We need a bilateral oophorectomy on this lady's vajayjay to remove the ovoom-vooms, STAT, or else we're gonna have to perform a conization on her cerveevee and her utay-tay might fall out!'". Let Michael Chertoff deal with those Anglo-Saxonisms, if he dares. (MediaWeek.com)
A bitter inheritance: Options for reducing your cancer risk Nov 3, 2007
In addition, prophylactic oophorectomy recommended for premenopausal women with a BRCA mutation causes premature menopause. Prophylactic mastectomy is disfiguring, and many patients then opt for breast reconstructive surgery. (Racine Journal Times, WI)
New Clues To Breast Cancer Development In High-risk Women Sep 17, 2007
The findings also explain why the small proportion of women who have had an oophorectomy and still develop breast cancer frequently have tumors that are unresponsive to anti-estrogens like Tamoxifen, said Furth ... Women with a BRCA1 mutation develop breast cancers that are most often unresponsive to hormones and anti-hormonal therapies like Tamoxifen, said Furth, but doctors continue to see reduced incidence of breast cancer among high-risk women who have undergone the oophorectomy procedure... (Science Daily)
What doses of calcium are best for older bones? Sep 5, 2007
"Oophorectomy was once thought to be purely an advantage - it prevents ovarian cancer and seemed to have no disadvantage," said Walter Rocca of the Mayo Clinic, the lead author of the study. "There are still situations where it's a good idea, but not for all women.". (International Herald Tribune -- Health)
Early surgical menopause raises risk Sep 2, 2007
Pre-menopausal women who undergo surgical removal of the ovaries (oophorectomy) have an increased risk of developing neurological disorders, including cognitive decline, dementia, and parkinsonism, a team of researchers reports in two studies published in the online edition of Neurology ... The studies are based on women in Olmsted County, Minnesota, who underwent oophorectomy, between 1950 and 1987, for a benign ovarian condition before the onset of menopause. (The Age)
Scientists Find Estrogen Protects Women's Brains Aug 31, 2007
"When oophorectomy (ovary removal) is indicated in a young woman, it is important to carefully educate that patient regarding estrogen replacement. Unless clear contraindications are present, most women should be advised to take estrogen therapy until approximately age 50," she advised ... "Both unilateral and bilateral oophorectomy performed prior to menopause may be associated with an increased risk of parkinsonism and the effect may be age-dependent. However, our findings await independent... (Medical News Today)
Early surgical menopause raises neurologic risk Aug 30, 2007
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Premenopausal women who undergo surgical removal of the ovaries (oophorectomy) have an increased risk of developing neurological disorders, including cognitive decline, dementia, and parkinsonism, a team of researchers reports in two studies published in the online edition of Neurology ... The studies are based on women in Olmsted County, Minnesota, who underwent oophorectomy, between 1950 and 1987, for a benign ovarian condition before the onset of menopause. (Scientific American)
After Oophorectomy, Cognitive Impairment Risks Rise Aug 30, 2007
Unilateral or bilateral oophorectomy was associated with a 46% increase in risk of cognitive impairment or dementia, and a 68% increase in risk for parkinsonism, reported Walter A. Rocca, M.D., M.P.H., of the Mayo Clinic, and colleagues. The effect of estrogen deprivation on neural function appeared to be age dependent, with risk increasing significantly for women who were younger at the time of oophorectomy, the authors reported in the studies, both published online in Neurology ... The... (MedPage Today)
Removing Ovaries Before Menopause Leads to Memory, Movement Troubles Aug 30, 2007
Those women who had had one or both ovaries removed before menopause were almost twice as likely to develop cognitive problems or dementia, compared with women who did not have this surgery, known as oophorectomy. Women who were younger when they underwent oophorectomy were more likely to develop dementia than women who were older at the time of the surgery ... Women who had undergone a unilateral or bilateral oophorectomy (one or both ovaries, respectively) before the onset of menopause were... (Health-Finder)
Ovary Removal May Up Dementia Risk Aug 30, 2007
Surgical removal of the ovaries, known as oophorectomy, can be performed as a treatment for conditions such as ovarian cysts and endometriosis. But the ovaries may also be removed to reduce a woman's risk of developing some cancers. (WebMD)
Estrogen May Protect Against Dementia Aug 30, 2007
"The younger the age of the woman at the time of oophorectomy, the higher her risk of cognitive impairment or dementia because there is a longer period in which she is deprived of estrogen and neuroprotection," says Rocca ... Also, the women had had their surgeries between 1950 and 1987 oophorectomy procedures and estrogen therapy may have been different then than now ... Women who are considering a hysterectomy or ovary removal now also need to be aware of the increased risk of dementia, says... (TIME)
Are Hysterectomies Too Common? Jul 31, 2007
Still, physicians have not seen the expected decrease in the number of hysterectomies, and rates of oophorectomy are climbing. The reasons: Parker says that doctors have not learned many of the new alternative techniques, which can be difficult to master, and insurance companies continue to pay out more for hysterectomies than for alternative operations that preserve the uterus and ovaries. (Time.com)
Hadassah freezes eggs of cancer-stricken girls Jul 4, 2007
Women facing chemotherapy who wish to have children later can undergo an oophorectomy (the surgical removal of an ovary), after which the ovary is sliced and frozen under special conditions at a temperature of -197 Celsius. After treatment and recovery, the ovaries can be reimplanted in the woman's body and function normally. (Jerusalem Post)
Experts Offer Better Means of Gauging Breast Cancer Risk Jun 21, 2007
A mastectomy or oophorectomy (removal of the ovaries) can significantly reduce that risk. Most of the methods available to estimate how likely a person is to carry the BRCA 1 or BRCA 2 defects were developed using data from large families. (MEDLINEplus)
Womb Service Jun 12, 2007
"Thus, Wheeler has become active with the HERS (Hysterectomy Education Resources and Services) Foundation and joined in its 2006 protest in Raleigh. The Pennsylvania-based group has launched a nationwide "Say No 'Til You Know" campaign, petitioning state legislators to pass laws that would require higher standards for informed consent before patients undergo hysterectomies or other surgeries on the uterus or ovaries. HERS has also produced a DVD on women's anatomy to provide that... (The Morning Star)
IMS updated recommendations on postmenopausal hormone therapy May 16, 2007
In women with bilateral oophorectomy or adrenal failure, androgen replacement has significant beneficial effects, in particular on health-related quality of life and sexual function. BENEFITS OF HORMONE THERAPY. (EurekAlert!)
HRT Linked to Ovarian Cancer Deaths in the Britain Apr 20, 2007
The women did not have previous cancer or bilateral oophorectomy and were followed for an average of 5. 3 years for incident ovarian cancer and 6. (MedPage Today)
Incorporating medical interventions into carrier probability estimation for genetic counseling Mar 23, 2007
For example, oophorectomy reduces risk of breast and ovarian cancers, and is now increasingly being offered to women with family histories of breast and ovarian cancer ... We apply our methods to incorporate oophorectomy into the BRCAPRO model, which predicts a woman's risk of carrying mutations in BRCA1 and BRCA2 based on her family history of breast and ovarian cancer. (BioMed Central)
