A long-term study of 82,472 French women found that those who underwent both hysterectomy and oophorectomy faced a 23% higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes. The research, published in Maturitas, tracked participants from 1992 to 2008, comparing diabetes risk among women who had their uterus and ovaries removed, either separately or together.
Age Plays a Role in Diabetes Risk
The study revealed that age significantly influenced diabetes risk. Women who had both procedures before age 45 faced a 70% higher risk, while those under 40 saw a 54% increase. No significant rise was observed in women who underwent both surgeries at 45 or older. Researchers accounted for other diabetes risk factors, including weight, physical activity, diet, and smoking.
While the findings show a link rather than a direct cause, they suggest that removing both the uterus and ovaries, especially at a younger age, may impact long-term metabolic health. The ovaries produce estrogen and testosterone, hormones that help regulate blood sugar and insulin response. Sudden hormone loss from oophorectomy can disrupt these processes, potentially increasing diabetes risk.
Hormones and Blood Sugar Regulation
The ovaries play a key role in maintaining hormonal balance, which is essential for blood sugar control. Estrogen helps the body respond to insulin, while testosterone supports muscle health and insulin sensitivity. Removing both ovaries triggers surgical menopause, causing hormone levels to drop abruptly. This shift may affect blood sugar regulation, though researchers have yet to confirm the exact mechanism linking hormonal changes to increased diabetes risk.
The study followed more than 82,000 women and found that 2,318 developed type 2 diabetes during the study period.