Objective: To examine the long-term effects of hysterectomy with conse
rvation of the ovaries on bone density of the lumbar spine and proxima
l femur. Methods: A cross-sectional study of the bone density of 40 po
stmenopausal women who had undergone hysterectomy with ovarian conserv
ation before menopause compared with a matched group of 40 women who h
ad not had hysterectomy. The 40 women who had undergone hysterectomy w
ere also compared with a control population, using multiple linear reg
ression analysis. Bone density of the femoral neck and lumbar spine wa
s measured by quantitative digital radiography. Results: Bone density
in the hysterectomy group Was significantly reduced at the spine (P <
.05) and at the femoral neck (P < .05) compared with the matched group
. Comparisons of the hysterectomy group with the reference group demon
strated that in addition to significant reductions in bone density at
the spine (P < .05) and hip (P < .05), bone density at the femoral nec
k (P < .05), trochanter (P < .05), Ward's triangle (P < .05), and the
second (P < .05) and fourth (P < .05) lumbar vertebrae was also signif
itcantly less in the hysterectomy group. Conclusion: Premenopausal wom
en who have hysterectomy will have significantly lower bone density th
an controls, despite conservation of both ovaries at the time of surge
ry.