What are the disadvantages of oophorectomy (ovary removal)?

After hysterectomy, that is, the complete removal of the uterus, patients can experience consequences that significantly reduce their quality of life. First, let's address the idea that removing these organs can prevent cancer. While a woman's risk of dying from uterine or ovarian cancer is less than 1%, the risk of dying from cardiovascular disease is around 50%.

There are studies showing that the risk of heart attack increases threefold after hysterectomy. How can it be right to ignore the risk of death from such a common condition? Furthermore, the risk of osteoporosis increases after hysterectomy.

If the ovaries are removed along with the uterus (oophorectomy), the risk of osteoporosis (bone loss) increases even further. The hormone pills prescribed to prevent these negative consequences also pose additional risks. For example, women taking combined estrogen-progesterone pills have been found to have a slightly increased incidence of heart disease, thromboembolism (blood clots forming in a vein and traveling to the lungs), and breast cancer. For these reasons, short-term use of these hormones is recommended.

In light of all this information, it can be said that avoiding unnecessary hysterectomy and oophorectomy is highly beneficial if there is no cancer in the uterus or ovaries.