Variations in blood lipid profile, thrombotic system, arterial elasticity and psychosexual parameters in the cases of surgical and natural menopause

Abstract

In this study, comparing four different parameters in women with surgical menopause because of ovariectomy in reproductive age and in women with natural menopause, the effect of withdrawal of ovarian hormones on both groups was investigated. The patient groups in this study were constituted of 100 women in reproductive age who had undergone total abdominal hysterectomy + bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy and 50 women with natural menopause referred to out-patient's clinic within the same period. The findings for four different parameters were recorded one day before the surgery and at 3rd month post-operatively in surgical menopause group and at the day of referral to outpatient clinic in natural menopause group. The parameters planned to be recorded were blood lipid profile, thrombotic system, arterial elasticity and psychosexual variations. Post-operative high-density lipoprotein level in surgical menopause group was found lower than that of natural menopause group (47.08 vs 52.44 mg/dL, P < 0.05). Post-operative very low density lipoprotein level in surgical menopause group was increased more than that in natural menopause group (27.74 vs 23.58 mg/dL, P < 0.05). An increase was observed in post-operative carotid artery Pulsality Index and Resistive Index levels of surgical menopause group compared with natural menopause group (1.44 vs 1.33, P < 0.001 and 0.73 vs 0.68, P < 0.001 respectively). In surgical menopause group, the differences between pre- and post-operative values of bleeding time (1.15 vs 1.24, P < 0.0001), clotting time (5.9 vs 6.08, P < 0.0001) and fibrinogen level (422 vs 395, P < 0.0001) were found statistically significant. While bleeding time and clotting time were increased post-operatively, fibrinogen level was decreased. A significant increase was observed in post-operative mean Kupperman Index levels of surgical menopause group compared with that of natural menopause group (23.89 vs 9.94, P < 0.001). It was concluded that the ovaries should be considered as important organs impacting women's quality of life with their hormones produced also in the period of menopause; that disadvantages of oophorectomy during hysterectomy should be considered and that an attempt to conserve ovaries during surgery except pre-cancerous events would benefit women.