Scientists at the Mayo Clinic in New York have found that neutering at a young age can increase the risk of Parkinson’s disease.
The results were published in: JAMA Network Open.
The study included data from 2,750 women who had surgery to remove both ovaries for endometriosis, cysts, or to prevent cancer. They were compared with a control group of 2,749 women who did not have surgery.
Women who had surgery had a higher risk of developing Parkinson’s disease. At the same time, the risk was reduced if women took estrogen before age 50.
The study notes that Parkinson’s disease is twice as common in men than in women. According to the authors, this may mean that the increased risk during sterilization is due to the loss of estrogen and other hormones.
The findings support current recommendations that women at moderate risk of developing ovarian cancer should not have both ovaries removed to prevent it, the researchers said. Those with a gene variant at high risk of developing ovarian cancer may be advised to have their ovaries removed along with post-operative estrogen therapy until age 50 or 51.