The Average Bone Density Test Results for Post Surgical Menopause

The acute onset of surgical menopause is induced when a patient has her ovaries removed before natural menopause commences. Loss of the hormone estrogen during this premature menopause can lead to increased weakening of the bones. Estrogen helps cells in the body called osteoclasts remove old bone so new bone can grow strong. Osteoclasts can also cause bone loss when menses stops and a woman’s estrogen levels drop.

Bone Density After Oopherectomy

• Age plays a part in bone density results.

  In a 2004 Report of the Surgeon General on Bone Health and Osteoporosis, doctors concluded removing a woman’s ovaries before menopause affects bone mineral content and is linked to increased bone loss and fracture risk. According to the National Institute of Health, women who underwent removal of the ovaries or oopherectomy under the age of 45 years showed premature loss of skeletal bone and early onset osteoporosis within the next six years. In the same study, oopherectomy after the age of 45 years showed little effect on bone mineral loss three to six years after the operation. Doctors concluded there was no premature development of osteoporosis in the older age group because ovarian function was already in decline.

Testing

• Low-dose x-rays can determine bone thickness.

  After oopherectomy a bone density test may be performed using a low-dose x-ray called a DEXA scan to measure bone strength and thickness. The DEXA scan provides measurements of bone density in the spine and hip. Sometimes doctors also check density of a patient’s forearm. Test results report a T score that compares patient bone density results with that of young healthy people and a Z score that compares patient results with people of the same age, weight, gender and ethnic background. A normal T score is considered -1.0 or higher. When a Z score is less than -1.5, doctors will look for risk factors other than patient demographics that may be causing bone loss.

Osteoperosis

• Osteopersosis is a silent disease.

  According to the National Osteoporosis Foundation patients can have osteoporosis without any symptoms or signs of the disease. Osteoporosis is a disease characterized by weak, deteriorating bones that silently progresses until bones break or fracture. The disease can affect any bone, but broken bones usually occur in the hip, spine and wrist. Osteoporosis can occur at any age and affects approximately 50 percent of the U.S. population 50 years of age and older.

Medications

• Hormone replacement therapy can save bone tissue.

  The National Institutes of Health reports that hormonal and non-hormonal medications can prevent bone tissue loss. Women experiencing the early onset of menopause due to oopherectomy should consult a health care professional trained in hormone replacement therapy.

Effects

• Surgical menopause has more profound symptoms.

  Doctors have observed women who undergo surgical menopause experience more severe symptoms than women who go through menopause naturally. After surgical menopause, women tend to experience a more acute level of bone density loss compared to normal menopause bone loss.