Difficult decision- remove just cyst or ovary as well?

If you are 45+, I think it is ok to consider removing the ovary as well since u r near menopause age anyway. However, like me I am experiencing hot flashes now although I have been told it will resume normal sooner or later because I still have one ovary left. Yet the hormonal swing is not enjoyable.

So my advice is, if u r less than 45, definitely try to keep both ovaries.

Hi Jen,

I have recently had both ovaries and fallopian tubes removed down to a dermoid cyst and had the full cut as my surgeon said he didn't like the idea of keyhole with a dermoid cyst rupturing and it getting in to the abdomen. I am 54 so really in no longer need for my ovaries, so too me was to listen to his advise. Hot flashes will eventually go away where the chronic pain won't probably. I agree with the other 2 ladies age will play a part in your decision as if you want children obviously keeping your tubes and ovaries is essential.

I hope that you come to the right decision for you, best of luck,

Sharon x

Hi, I was offered a hysterectomy due to a 9 cm ovarian cyst but refused as only 43, I know that might sound alien to some but I really didnt want to be put through a surgical menopause. I have finished having babies but my theory was if its not broke then dont try and fix it! Surgeon then offered tube and ovary removal leaving me with one but said he could only do it via laparotomy due to size and suspicious nature. I went for a check up with the Dr some weeks later and found out that the cyst had ruptured during surgery! Putting that aside I have had no ill effects from the rupture at all the only thing that has been noticeable is my mood, i have been very low at times and very much bitten the hand that feeds me, but if you make your nearest and dearest aware that this may happen then you'll ride through it.

I have what i can only describe as spasms from the side my ovary was removed but haven't had to take pain relief for it. I dont have periods due to a coil so not sure if my other ovary has taken over duties yet! There have been no hot flushed so i can only assume normal service has been resumed! There have been times when my husband has commented on how cold hes been and I haven't but it may just be a coincidence.

If you have had a history of ovarian cysts then it's probably best to remove said ovary and tube but as your 34 then you need to factor this into the equation, you don't know if one ovary works better than the other so going on to have another pregnancy may take longer. I've just had my 2nd cyst removal, so my first surgery was done with the idea of opening me up and trying to preserve my ovary which the surgeon thankfully did. I was your age then but again had no plans for a baby.

Its about your choice, don't be pushed into unnecessary surgery but weigh up all the options, sometimes the surgeon won't know what they're dealing with until they get in so maybe you both come to some agreement ie leave ovary if the cyst can be removed without spoiling ovarian tissue. Sometimes you'll get a returning cyst from previous surgery site. I did; but what looked like an ovarian cyst on ultrasound and ct scan actually turned out to be a cyst on my tube once they opened me up.

Also another factor to consider is scar tissue, its very rarely mentioned anywhere but the more pelvic surgery you go through the more scar tissue is likely to form so keeping surgery down to the minimum is key. Most of my post op pain has been from removal of previous scar tissue. Had i have known beforehand i may have opted for a hysterectomy in case i end up with another cyst. (Ive had 3 removed each time ive had surgery, always 1 biggie and 2 smaller ones on the other ovary)

The trick is to schedule a long chat with your surgeon, dont be fobbed off by a 5 minute appointment, write your pros and cons down, for-warned is for-armed.

Hope this helps, everyone's different so there is no right or wrong, surgery on any reproductive organ is not one to be taken lightly as there are always fors and againsts in a young woman. Good luck 🌈

Hi,

i had both cyst and ovary removed last April due to the cyst being wrapped round the ovary. He said that there were lots of adhesions to be cut through due to previous hysterectomy, and it was impossible to save the ovary, it's not a hard surgery to recover from.