Do I keep my ovaries or have them removed?

Well... this has to be your decision. I was adamant to keep mine, but when i asked the gynaecologist her thoughts she totally changed my mind. She said the ovaries can go into sudden menopause after the op due to shock, and then there is the risk of the silent killer, ovarian cancer (which a friend of mine died from 10 years ago) She also explained that due to the op your ovaries can fail and cause more problems and could end up being opened up again to have them removed. i definately wouldn't want to go throught that again! I ve always suffered with pre menstrual pain, tender breasts and headaches, this would go if i had my ovaries taken. I was peri-menopausal before my op so thought maybe having them taken away wouldn't affect me that much anyway, so i had them removed....

I suffered with menopausal symptoms 4 days after the op, hot sweats and sleepless nights were the worst, i just could not sleep, and i was so emotional. After 6 weeks i felt like a woman of 90 years, every joint and bone in my body ached and i kept having headaches. My gynae put me on HRT, i asked for the patches as they are the safest way to take. She started me on a low dose then highered it after a month as it made no difference, now i am on 50 mg and feel great!

At first i cried for my ovaries, thinking i had signed my death warrant after reading about heart disease and brittle bones, but i have done alot of homework and HRT for hysterectomised women does not have the bad side effects like a woman with a womb. Most of the researches were doen with women whos ovaries were intact. Research is now suggesting that oestogen-only HRT after hysterectomy does not increase risk.

I have stayed on my patches and intend to well into my 70's if i live that long! My mom has had breast cancer and i still prefer to take HRT. The way i felt without it was awful, i thought i was dyin(honestly), but since i ve been on my patches i feel 100% better and will no longer suffer with period pains, tender breasts and have a risk of ovarian cancer. For me, thats a godsend. Hope this helps in any way x

 

 Hi, I'm 57 and had a total laparoscopic hysterectomy on Monday. My consultant put it like this , if I were 37, I'd keep my ovaries, at 47 we'd discuss them but at 57 I really don't need them, which made sense to me. I must admit that leading up to the procedure I was a wreck and I know it's only a few days but I have no regrets. Follow the medical advice and listen to your body when it comes to recovery.  Hope this helps .

Good evening Angie,

Last year I had a hysterectomy. I was 44. My physician was super helpful on my decision to keep my ovaries. I have a thyroid issue that kept my periods completely irregular and horrible. I bled for 68 days straight. Enough is enough...The suggestion was that since I have to history of ovarian cancer in my family keeping them and allowing my body to naturally go into menopause is appropriate. Obviously you have to factor in your family history and personal choice. I did not want to be forced into menopause. My friend had a hysterectomy and they took everything. She was fairly miserable. 

Good luck with this decision!! 

Best Regards,

Sheri

Wishing you all the best with your op and recovery, 

Hi Angie, I had hysterectomy 9 weeks ago, they removed my womb, uterus & fallopian tubes. I had a cyst/polyp attached to one of my ovaries, but after speaking to 3 different surgeons, they all said that it was best to leave the ovaries, less chance of cancer etc in the future, they managed to leave both of mine.