Changes in cardiovascular risk factors by hysterectomy status with and without oophorectomy: Study of Women's Health Across the Nation.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to compare the changes in risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD) leading up to and after hysterectomy with or without bilateral oophorectomy with the changes observed up to and after natural menopause.

BACKGROUND: Evidence suggests that hysterectomy status with or without bilateral oophorectomy might increase risk for CVD, but most studies retrospectively assess menopausal status.

METHODS: Study of Women's Health across the Nation enrolled 3,302 pre-menopausal women not using hormone therapy between 42 and 52 years of age and followed them annually for over 11 years for sociodemographic characteristics, menopausal status, surgeries, body mass index, medication use, lifestyle factors, lipids, blood pressure, insulin resistance, and hemostatic and inflammatory factors. By 2008, 1,769 women had reached natural menopause, 77 women had a hysterectomy with ovarian conservation, and 106 women had a hysterectomy with bilateral oophorectomy. Piece-wise hierarchical growth models compared these groups on annual changes in CVD risk factors before and after final menstrual period or surgery.

RESULTS: Multivariable analyses showed that annual changes in CVD risk factors did not vary by group, with few exceptions, and the significant group differences that did emerge were not in the anticipated direction.

CONCLUSIONS: Hysterectomy with or without ovarian conservation is not a key determinant of CVD risk factor status either before or after elective surgery in midlife. These results should provide reassurance to women and their clinicians that hysterectomy in midlife is unlikely to accelerate the CVD risk of women.