Longevity after early surgical menopause-the long-term effect of a permanent cessation of reproductive function and female sex hormone loss

OBJECTIVE: To investigate longevity in women after bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy (BSOE), not given hormonal replacement therapy (HRT) post-operatively, as compared to the national mean. STUDY DESIGN: Long-term follow-up study of a historical cohort of young women undergoing BSOE in the early 20th century at the General Hospital, Malm?, Sweden. Comparison was made with mean life expectancy in corresponding birth cohorts. RESULTS: No difference in life expectancy was recorded in 152 women with an early menopause caused by BSOE and not substituted with HRT, as compared to national statistics of contemporary women. Half of the operated women died of cardiovascular disease and a minority of cancer, none of which was a breast cancer. CONCLUSION: Permanent loss of female sex hormones and reproductive function in early life does not seem to influence longevity but may change patterns of morbidity and mortality.