New research from investigators at the Mayo Clinic in New York sheds light on how early neutering may influence the likelihood of developing Parkinson’s disease later in life. The findings appear in JAMA Network Open and contribute to a broader conversation about hormone exposure and brain health across women who undergo certain gynecologic surgeries.
The study followed a substantial cohort: 2,750 women who had surgical removal of both ovaries for conditions such as endometriosis, ovarian cysts, or to lower cancer risk, and a comparison group of 2,749 women who did not have the procedure. By tracking medical histories over time, researchers aimed to understand whether the loss of ovarian function and the attendant hormonal changes could affect movement disorders like Parkinson’s disease.
Results indicated that women who underwent bilateral oophorectomy faced a higher incidence of Parkinson’s disease compared with those who did not have the surgery. In contrast, the risk appeared to decline when estrogen was present before age 50, suggesting that hormones released by the ovaries may play a protective role in the brain’s motor circuits. The authors note that Parkinson’s disease occurs about twice as often in men as in women, and this sex difference continues to shape hypotheses about how hormonal factors may modify disease risk in women after menopause or following oophorectomy.
These observations align with current clinical guidance that removing both ovaries solely to prevent ovarian cancer is not routinely recommended for most women at moderate risk. For individuals carrying a high-risk genetic variant, the decision to remove the ovaries may be considered in a context that includes post‑operative estrogen therapy through roughly age 50 or 51, balancing cancer prevention with potential neurological and other hormonal effects. The study, attributed to the Mayo Clinic team and published in a leading medical journal, emphasizes careful individual risk assessment and shared decision-making between patients and clinicians. It highlights that hormone status surrounding ovarian surgery is an important factor to monitor as part of long-term health planning. (Source: Mayo Clinic study; JAMA Network Open)