Features of post-surgical menopause with concomitant primary hypothyroidism: A prospective single-stage clinical study

Background. In recent decades, the frequency of surgical interventions on reproductive system organs has been steadily increasing. In gynecological practice, preference is given to minimally invasive surgery and precision treatments, especially involving ovaries. Despite the modern approach, it is not always possible to preserve this endocrine organ, which leads to post-surgical menopause (PSM). The relatively high incidence of total hysterectomy-associated PSM and primary hypothyroidism in late reproductive age often leads to their combination. Clinical manifestations aggravating each other form an unfavorable vicious circle.

Aim. To study the features of the PSM course with concomitant primary hypothyroidism.

Materials and methods. A prospective clinical study included 130 women aged 45 to 55 years with a history of PSM. The main group consisted of 70 patients with PSM with subclinical primary hypothyroidism. A control group included 60 PSM patients without thyroid disorders. We assessed the effect of hypothyroidism on the PSM course by comparing several indicators in the main and control groups.

Results. It was found that in the main group patients, severe 26.5% and moderate 38.8% menopausal syndrome prevailed, while in the control group patients, such forms were twice as common. In the women of the main group, the levels of triglycerides were higher than those in the control group by 1.3 times (2.6±0.86 mmol/L and 1.43±0.33 mmol/L, respectively). The total serum alkaline phosphatase activity in patients in the study groups was 29.8% higher than in healthy women.

Conclusion. It can be concluded that the severity of menopausal disorders depends on the thyroid status, with more severe in patients of the main group with hypothyroidism. In addition, in patients of the main group with hypothyroidism, dyslipidemia is more pronounced, which predisposes them to severe diseases in the future, in particular cardiovascular disorders, the unfavorable course of metabolic syndrome, and the development of postmenopausal osteoporosis.