From the journals: Ovary removal linked to risk for dementia, parkinsonism
From the journals
Every year, more than 600,000 women have hysterectomies, mostly for noncancerous conditions such as fibroids, endometriosis, and uterine prolapse. About half have their ovaries removed at the same time — a procedure called oophorectomy — mainly to reduce their chances of getting ovarian cancer. Women at high risk for breast cancer may also undergo oophorectomy because it eliminates ovarian production of estrogen, the hormone that fuels the growth of most breast cancers.
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