Well if YOU'RE going to forego the too-easy jokes, SOMEbody has to step up to the plate and make one:
Posted on 08/29/2007 10:43:34 PM PDT by dayglored
Early Ovarian Surgery Linked to Dementia
Women who have their ovaries removed before menopause run a heightened risk of developing dementia or other mental problems later in life _ unless they take estrogen until age 50, a new study suggests.
Experts said the research needs to be confirmed by further study, but the findings suggest another issue for premenopausal women and their doctors to discuss as they consider ovary removal....
Hormone therapy has been linked to a greater risk of dementia and heart attacks when given to women after age 65. But recent research indicates that when given before menopause or just afterward, it doesn't raise heart attack risk and may protect against dementia....
Ovaries produce estrogen. Rocca said the likeliest explanation of the study results is that removing ovaries causes a sudden deficiency of that hormone, which in turn affects the brain....
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...
Oh great. This is what I get to look forward to now.
I better warn my husband. LOL.
Well, maybe I’ll suffer only half-dementia, as I did go back on the estrogen within the last year.
Sorry about that, Chief.
> I better warn my husband. LOL.
That's only fair...
> Well, maybe I’ll suffer only half-dementia, as I did go back on the estrogen within the last year.
It seems like a tricky tightrope to walk -- as they describe it, the same actions and treatments produce very different results at different ages that are not that far apart, statistically. Best of luck!!
Deep.
Ovaries produce progesterone as well, and progesterone has "protective" effects on the brain. More detail and I'll loose the WAPO audience.
I get the feeling it's a pretty complicated system that we only vaguely understand.
Or maybe it's just that -I- only vaguely understand it.
Being a testosterone-based life-form, I'm pleased to report that -my- hormones and gonads have little or no effect on my brain. Oh, wait, let me rephrase that...
NOOOO, your hormones don't have any effect, they just control your brain.
Very interesting.
My mother had a complete hysterectomy at about 40. Mild dementia for a couple of decades, and severe for the last lustrum.
It would be nice to think I might escape it due only to genetics as BOTH my parents have suffered with it.
Thanks for posting.
So, when does this dementia kick in? I had a hysto almost 30 years ago. I need an excuse....!
Well, could be just coincidence.... but it took her about 40 years for it to be really noticeable. Probably won’t work as a good excuse for you. ;-)
With two jobs, a drained bank account, hot flashes and a cycle that rivals Jurassic Park, I’m lining up for both a hysto AND dementia. Sounds great. I can’t get pregnant AND I won’t care about the bills.
Well this helps explain my ex-wife.LOL
Best surgery I ever had...mine was 10 years ago I’m now 59...I was put on the estrogen patch...pills, and shots were tried..the gastro intestinal (acid reflux and constipation to the point the bowel shuts down) side effects were to much for me..so I’ve been off the hormones 9 yeas and not major problems except some dryness. No mood swings, few hot flashes any more. I have a long history of reacting badly to meds.
I haven’t noticed any appreciable dementia in any of my patients over 50 years old that had ovariohysterectomies at less than one year of age.
Can any of these patients tell you their phone number?
How many of your patients ever reach 50?
None.....
None.....
Not even when counting in "doggy" years? ;^) Let's see, last time I heard anything about the conversion of human years into dog years the figure was 1 human year would equal 7 dog years. Do they still use that as a measuring device? Using that equasion my terrier mix is close to 42 years old...wish I'd had his energy back when I was 42.
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