Surgery is set for May 3rd, I need help with a decision

I am 29 years old and I am scheduled for an abdominal hysterectomy May 3rd. This is due to endometriosis, possible adenomyosis, and PCOD. I've had previos surgeries, and a million courses of treatment, but nothing has worked. The only question that remains is whether or not to keep an ovary. The good side is no HRT, the doctor says it's better for my body, and he was kind of hinting around for me to do that. However, with endo, this could cause the disease to continue, and with PCOD, I could have another cyst (have had 2 removed already). He told me 30% of women who leave one in, end up having surgery again in the future to treat the ovary. Any advice would be welcomed and appreciated.

Thank you,
Shannon

Quite a decision and not an easy one at that. Here is a good web site with some of the ups about keeping ovaries. As far as the endo, I can't offer any info on that. Try using the Google search engine to find out some info.
Good Luck in your decision.


http://www.drnorthrup.com/womens-health-ovaries.php

Oh my goodness... what a problem.. I don't know what I would do.. my DR says we will keep my ovaries because the problem is with my cervix.. and I was like "Thank Goodness!!"... but then if the problem could keep going if I kep them I may feel differently.. you need to do TONS of research to make that decision...

*hugs and good thoughts*

T

This whole decision making is a process and not easy. My DR was dead against taking my ovaries unless really necessary. I am 39 and she feels too young for hormone therapy. Luckily for me she said my ovaries were in great shape no hot flashes!! But everyone's case is different. You are 10yrs younger than me, good luck with deciding and your surgery!

I thought I would keep my right ovary, but after my consult with my dr, decided it will go along with everything else. I have polycystic ovaries, and my dr said that he prefer to take it now. That if he were to leave it, there was a good chance, I would later on have problems with it and would require another surgery. So to save me the all the hassels, he prefers it go now. Dr, DH, and I all had a lengthy discussion and decided that it will go. I am not taking any chances on that part.
We talked about HRT and all that, my hormone levels have been checked as a part of my tests done at pre-op. That way he knows where to start as far as that is concerned

This a decision only you can make. Do some research, listen to what the girls here have to say, and take it from there.

Kedi

Hi Shannon
This is a very big decision indeed. I will share how I came to my decision. This isn't really advice, but I want to share with you my experience so far.

I am a few years older than you (33). My doc and I talked at great length about my ovaries. Keep in mind that even though most of my pelvic cavity is full of endo and adhesions, my ovaries are in pretty good shape.

Because of my age, I could have 17 yrs or so until menopause. That's a long time. My doc is not keen on using HRT in someone my age. So, we discussed the fact that my ovaries may cause the endo to grow back. I am willing to undergo another lap or 2 over the next few years in order to do "cleanups" of any endo. That is my choice. At least I know the symptoms, so I won't wait until it gets horrendous before I have a lap done.

Also, I may get tired of the "maintenance" laps, so I can choose to have my ovaries removed at a later date. This could likely done by laparoscopy, so it wouldn't be another major abdominal surgery.

The decision is very individual. One of the other reasons I choose to avoid HRT is the fact that heart disease and cancer runs rampantly in my family, and I would rather avoid that. I am also diabetic, so I have enough risk factors for heart disease as it is.

Wishing you strength to make the decision that is right for YOU.


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