Carpal Tunnel syndrome in ovariectomized women.

Electrophysiological parameters were studied in 32 gynecological patients before and after major gynecological surgery. No changes in maximal nerve conduction velocity or simple reaction time could be found after either hysterectomy or ovariectomy. Of the 20 ovariectomized patients, 3 developed subjective symptoms and electrophysiological signs of the carpal tunnel syndrome within a few months after surgery. Thus the carpal tunnel syndrome, which is common in women of menopausal age, seems to be precipitated also by iatrogenic menopause. The present findings indicate that ovarian relaxin overproduction cannot be the basis of the carpal tunnel syndrome, but they are consistent with the view that the syndrome is a sign of hypothalamichypophyseal overactivity or imbalance.