Removing Ovaries - Should Uterus Go Too? - Hystersisters Hysterectomy Article

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Removing Ovaries - Should Uterus Go Too?

Removing Ovaries - Should Uterus Go Too?

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I am going to have both ovaries removed due to ovarian cysts, as well as prior breast cancer. That is fully decided. What I don't know what to do, is about whether I should have my uterus removed. I do have some fibroids, and have had some minor bleeding issues, but my gyno has said it's a much more invasive surgery. My Oncologist says there no reason "cancer wise" to remove it. My thought is if we are already removing the ovaries, and I'm going into full menopause, why not just do the full thing and spare me a future surgery? Any thoughts would be appreciated!

This is a difficult question and only you can make the decision with the input of your personal doctor, your medical history and your personal choices. To help you make that decision, here are some questions to consider: (Start a pros and cons list if it helps!)

Do you plan to take hormone replacement therapy to control menopause symptoms?
How are you planning to maintain your uterus' health? Typically a doctor will put you on a hormone therapy to help keep your uterus cycled, reducing the chance for endometrial cancer.
Are your fibroids symptom-less? If not, you might want to consider a hysterectomy with your oophorectomy to take care of that issue.
Have you had any abnormal pap smears ever? Many doctors suggest a hystectomy to reduce the possibility of cervical cancer.
Do you have any reasons you might need a hysterectomy in the future? There are risks to a hysterectomy so if it's unlikely you'd need one, it may be safest to leave it.
How healthy is your uterus?
Will your insurance cover a hysterectomy if your doctor says it's an elective surgery on a healthy uterus?

It's a hard decision no matter what you decide. Know that there is no "right" or "wrong" decision. If your ovaries need to come out, your choice to keep your uterus is a toss-up. The only thing that would move the decision into one side of "pro" or "con" would be your own medical health and your personal choices.

This content was written by staff of HysterSisters.com by non-medical professionals based on discussions, resources and input from other patients for the purpose of patient-to-patient support.

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Find A Doctor Near You

Wilfredo R. Ramos, M.D. 5301 F Street, Suite 210 Sacramento CA 95819 (916) 453-3440	Susan Carter, M.D. North Colorado Medical Center/ MCR 1800 15th Street, Suite 220 Greeley CO 80631 970 353 1335	Ellen Wilson, M.D. 5323 Harry Hines Blvd - Dept of OBGYN Dallas TX 75390 214-648-4747
Debra Richardson, M.D. Gynecological Oncology Clinic - SW Med 2201 Inwood Road Suite 106 Dallas TX 75390 214-645-4673	Francisco Garcini, M.D. 1870 Silver Cross Blvd Suite 210 New Lenox IL 60451 815-463-3000	James Kondrup, M.D. 161 Riverside Drive Suite 109 Binghamton NY 13905 607-770-7074
Susan D. Hunter, M.D. 626 Ed Carey Dr Harlingen TX 78550 956-428-4868	Elizabeth Stevenson-Gargiulo, M.D. 9101 North Central Expressway Suite 250 Dallas TX 75231 214-826-2979	Stephen Zweibach, M.D. 815 S Parsons Ave Brandon FL 33511 8135712777

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