CHANGES IN SYMPTOMATOLOGY, HORMONES, LIPIDS, AND BONE-DENSITY AFTER HYSTERECTOMY

Objective-To evaluate the differences in symptoms, hormone and lipid l evels, and bone density in two groups of women. Methods-Two hundred ei ghty-five women who attended for climacteric study with previous simpl e hysterectomy were studied. Three groups were formed according to tim e since surgery (group I <10 years, group II greater than or equal to 10 and <20 years, and group III greater than or equal to 20 years). Th ey were paired by age with a group without hysterectomy (control group ) that also attended for climacteric study. None of them were receivin g nor had received hormone replacement therapy. Age, body mass index, gestations, deliveries, and climacteric symptoms were analyzed for all subjects. Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), estradiol, total choles terol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, low-density lipopro tein (LDL) cholesterol and triglyceride levels were determined, and at herogenic index was calculated. Bone density was measured with a Lunar DPXL appliance. Statistical analysis was done by the chi-square test, Student's t test, and linear regression analysis. Results-There were no differences among groups in body mass index, gestations, or deliver ies. Depression was more frequent in the hysterectomy group, who also had lower levels of total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, and FSH than c ontrols. Conclusions-It was observed that hysterectomy does not have a deleterious effect on hormone or lipid levels, nor on bone density, b ut depression was a frequent finding in hysterectomized women.