WASHINGTON -- A new study suggests that most women getting hysterectomies should keep their ovaries.

Researchers from the University of California-Los Angeles found that the common extra step of removing ovaries during uterine surgery seems to do no good and might increase the chance of dying from heart disease.

The study appears in Monday's issue of the journal Obstetrics and Gynecology.

The procedure to remove ovaries during hysterectomies has long been accepted despite little evidence to back it. Of the estimated 615,000 hysterectomies performed every year, 90 percent are for noncancerous reasons, including fibroids, endometriosis, and uterine prolapse. More than half of those women also get their ovaries removed as a protective measure against developing ovarian cancer in the future.

The new research challenges that, saying that leaving the ovaries intact during a hysterectomy for noncancerous reasons benefits long-term survival for women under 65.

The researchers said that the ovaries continue to make small amounts of estrogen for years after menopause, and those hormones important in protecting against heart disease and osteoporosis, especially among women who choose not to take hormone therapy.

Because ovarian cancer is relatively uncommon, the research showed no substantial reduction in long-term death rates for women who had their ovaries removed before age 65. According to the researchers, hysterectomy itself reduces the risk of ovarian cancer, and the protective effect lasts for 10 to 20 years.

In an editorial accompanying the article, Dr. David Olive of the University of Wisconsin-Madison Medical School wrote that this study is not definitive, but it "is sure to provide significant impact upon clinical practice."

Additional Resources:

• 4woman.gov: Hysterectomy FAQ
• MayoClinic.com: Benefits And Alternatives