Women who have undergone a bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy (BSO) experience a decline in what hormone?

Women who have undergone a bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy (BSO), which is the surgical removal of both ovaries and fallopian tubes, experience a significant decline in estrogen levels. The ovaries are the primary source of estrogen production in premenopausal women. When these glands are removed, the body's ability to produce estrogen is drastically reduced, resulting in the hormonal changes associated with menopause.

Estrogen plays a crucial role in regulating various bodily functions, and its decline can lead to several menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes, mood changes, and vaginal dryness. Understanding the role of estrogen and the impact of its decline is essential for managing menopause symptoms and providing appropriate care for women post-BSO.

While progesterone levels also decrease due to the removal of the ovaries, its primary production occurs in the second half of the menstrual cycle and is largely dependent on the presence of functional ovaries. Similarly, circulating androgen levels may be affected following a BSO, but the most pronounced and immediate hormonal change is in estrogen. Additionally, luteinizing hormone may increase in response to lower estrogen levels, as the body attempts to stimulate the ovaries, which are no longer present after a BSO. Therefore, the most direct and significant hormonal decline