Impact of oophorectomy on bone mineral density in biological females: A retrospective cohort analysis
Location
Moultrie, GA
Start Date
17-4-2026 12:00 PM
End Date
17-4-2026 1:00 PM
Description
Introduction: Estrogen plays a crucial role in maintaining bone mineral density (BMD) by regulating the balance between osteoclasts and osteoblasts. Estrogen is primarily produced in the ovaries, and once a female’s ovaries have been removed, there is a significant decrease in circulating estrogen levels and an increase in fracture risk. In addition, there is a decline in estrogen levels over the years, which then ultimately leads to menopause around age 51. Our research group predicts that if a postmenopausal female between the ages of 51-55 undergoes an oophorectomy, it is expected that there would be a decrease in BMD associated with an increased risk of osteoporosis or osteopenia compared to other postmenopausal females with retained reproductive organs from the same age range.
Methods: A retrospective cohort study will be conducted to evaluate whether prior oophorectomy is associated with an increased incidence of osteopenia or osteoporosis compared to women with retained ovaries. Medical record numbers (MRN) will be identified for women aged 51–55 years with a BMI of 18.0–24.9 kg/m² who underwent dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) within the past 3 months at Sterling Center Women’s Health in Moultrie, Georgia. Electronic medical records (EMR) will be reviewed to confirm eligibility and categorize patients by surgical history. Patients taking calcium and/or vitamin D supplementation will be included. Exclusion criteria included age or BMI outside the specified range, current or prior bisphosphonate therapy, and incomplete clinical or DEXA data.
Primary outcomes included BMD, Z-scores, and diagnostic classification (normal, osteopenia, osteoporosis) per WHO criteria. Continuous variables will be summarized using means ± standard deviations and compared using independent t-tests. Categorical outcomes will be compared using chi-square or Fisher’s exact tests. Multivariable logistic regression will be performed to assess the association between oophorectomy and osteopenia/osteoporosis while adjusting for age, BMI, and supplementation status. Statistical significance will be defined as p < 0.05. All data will be de-identified in compliance with HIPAA regulations, and institutional IRB approval will be obtained.
Results: Previous research has demonstrated that BMD declines with advancing age in postmenopausal women without ovaries, largely due to the decreasing estrogen levels following menopause. Prior literature shows that a bilateral oophorectomy is associated with accelerated BMD loss due to this abrupt estrogen deficiency. Additionally, a Z-score of -0.5 to +0.5 is expected for postmenopausal women in this age range. In our study, we anticipate a similar reduction in BMD and Z-score values within our research population. This research is ongoing, and results are pending.
Discussion: We anticipate observing a similar pattern within our study population. Although our study will focus specifically on postmenopausal females aged 51–55 with comparable BMIs to reduce confounding variables, the findings may further clarify estrogen’s role in maintaining BMD during the postmenopausal period. Future research should expand upon these findings by examining broader age ranges, more diverse BMI categories, racial differences, and biological sex differences to better understand how hormonal and demographic factors influence bone health.
Embargo Period
5-28-2026
Impact of oophorectomy on bone mineral density in biological females: A retrospective cohort analysis
Moultrie, GA
Introduction: Estrogen plays a crucial role in maintaining bone mineral density (BMD) by regulating the balance between osteoclasts and osteoblasts. Estrogen is primarily produced in the ovaries, and once a female’s ovaries have been removed, there is a significant decrease in circulating estrogen levels and an increase in fracture risk. In addition, there is a decline in estrogen levels over the years, which then ultimately leads to menopause around age 51. Our research group predicts that if a postmenopausal female between the ages of 51-55 undergoes an oophorectomy, it is expected that there would be a decrease in BMD associated with an increased risk of osteoporosis or osteopenia compared to other postmenopausal females with retained reproductive organs from the same age range.
Methods: A retrospective cohort study will be conducted to evaluate whether prior oophorectomy is associated with an increased incidence of osteopenia or osteoporosis compared to women with retained ovaries. Medical record numbers (MRN) will be identified for women aged 51–55 years with a BMI of 18.0–24.9 kg/m² who underwent dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) within the past 3 months at Sterling Center Women’s Health in Moultrie, Georgia. Electronic medical records (EMR) will be reviewed to confirm eligibility and categorize patients by surgical history. Patients taking calcium and/or vitamin D supplementation will be included. Exclusion criteria included age or BMI outside the specified range, current or prior bisphosphonate therapy, and incomplete clinical or DEXA data.
Primary outcomes included BMD, Z-scores, and diagnostic classification (normal, osteopenia, osteoporosis) per WHO criteria. Continuous variables will be summarized using means ± standard deviations and compared using independent t-tests. Categorical outcomes will be compared using chi-square or Fisher’s exact tests. Multivariable logistic regression will be performed to assess the association between oophorectomy and osteopenia/osteoporosis while adjusting for age, BMI, and supplementation status. Statistical significance will be defined as p < 0.05. All data will be de-identified in compliance with HIPAA regulations, and institutional IRB approval will be obtained.
Results: Previous research has demonstrated that BMD declines with advancing age in postmenopausal women without ovaries, largely due to the decreasing estrogen levels following menopause. Prior literature shows that a bilateral oophorectomy is associated with accelerated BMD loss due to this abrupt estrogen deficiency. Additionally, a Z-score of -0.5 to +0.5 is expected for postmenopausal women in this age range. In our study, we anticipate a similar reduction in BMD and Z-score values within our research population. This research is ongoing, and results are pending.
Discussion: We anticipate observing a similar pattern within our study population. Although our study will focus specifically on postmenopausal females aged 51–55 with comparable BMIs to reduce confounding variables, the findings may further clarify estrogen’s role in maintaining BMD during the postmenopausal period. Future research should expand upon these findings by examining broader age ranges, more diverse BMI categories, racial differences, and biological sex differences to better understand how hormonal and demographic factors influence bone health.