- Hysterectomies with or without oophorectomies and tubal ligations are surgeries that are sometimes pursued electively. Other times, they are medically necessary.
- Researchers are still seeking to understand the full risks of these procedures to provide the most accurate information.
- A recent study found that women who undergo hysterectomies, oophorectomies, or tubal ligations are at an increased risk for cardiovascular disease.
- The risk may be most significant for women under 50 years of age who undergo hysterectomies and oophorectomies.
Any surgical procedure comes with certain risks and benefits. People and their doctors must weigh the benefits against the risks to decide how to proceed.
There are several indicators for removing the uterus with or without the removal of the ovaries. Another common procedure is tubal ligation, which is when doctors cut the fallopian tubes to prevent pregnancy permanently.
Researchers are still working to understand the risks associated with these procedures. A recent study published in the Journal of Women’s Health examined the relationship between these procedures and cardiovascular disease.
The study authors found that women undergoing these procedures had an increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease.
A hysterectomy is when doctors remove the uterus. A hysterectomy may or may not also include the removal of the cervix. Doctors may recommend hysterectomies for many reasons, such as cancer, abnormal vaginal bleeding, or endometriosis. Hysterectomies are also a method of sterilization.
Sometimes along with a hysterectomy, a surgeon may also perform an oophorectomy, which is the removal of the ovaries. An oophorectomy may or may not include the removal of the fallopian tubes. If it does, the procedure is called salpingo-oophorectomy.
A tubal ligation involves a severing of the fallopian tubes. This procedure can also be a method of sterilization to prevent pregnancy.
Each of these procedures presents unique risks…
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