Several ladies believed their osteoporosis was caused by an early menopause following a hysterectomy. If the ovaries are preserved, hysterectomy is not a significant risk factor. In fact, many women benefit from the reduction of estrogen after surgery. Osteoporosis is a condition in which your bones become thin and fragile. It can lead to broken bones if you fall accidently or are pushed down. This disease is most common among older adults but it can happen at any age. Women who have had their uterus removed (hysterectomy) are at increased risk for developing osteoporosis because they no longer produce estrogen. However, this risk is reduced if the ovaries are also removed during the procedure. Women who have had a hysterectomy should get bone density tests regularly to prevent fractures. The type of surgery performed affects how much risk there is of developing osteoporosis later in life. A total hysterectomy means removing the uterus along with the cervix. A subtotal hysterectomy removes only part of the uterus. Other organs may be removed along with it. For example, a woman might have her uterus, ovaries, and part of her bladder removed in order to treat cancer of these organs.