What happens after menopause? (WHAM): A prospective controlled study of sleep quality up to 12 months after premenopausal risk-reducing salpingo-oophorectomy

Objective: Sleep difficulties impair function and increase the risk of depression at menopause and premenopausal oophorectomy may further worsen sleep. However, prospective data are limited, and it remains uncertain whether Hormone Therapy (HT) improves sleep. This prospective observational study measured sleep quality before and up to 12 months after risk-reducing salpingo-oophorectomy (RRSO) compared to a similar age comparison group who retained their ovaries. Methods: Ninety-five premenopausal women undergoing RRSO and 99 comparisons were evaluated over a 12-month period using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Results: Almost half reported poor sleep quality at baseline. Overall sleep quality was not affected by RRSO until 12 months (p = 0.007). However, sleep disturbance increased by 3 months and remained significantly elevated at 12 months (p < 0.001). Trajectory analysis demonstrated that 41% had increased sleep disturbance after RRSO which persisted in 17.9%. Risk factors for sleep disturbance included severe vasomotor symptoms, obesity and smoking. Around 60% initiated HT after RRSO. Sleep quality was significantly better in HT users vs non users (p = 0.020) but HT did not restore sleep quality to baseline levels. Conclusions: Overall sleep quality is not affected by RRSO, but new onset sleep disturbance is common, particularly in those with severe vasomotor symptoms. Clinicians should be alert to new-onset sleep disturbance and the potential for HT to improve sleep quality.