Upcoming hysterectomy: keeping an ovary?

I have a large fibroid. When I went back for a follow up ultrasound they found a 7 cm cyst on right ovary. I am scheduling a hysterectomy as soon as my CA125 results come back. I am 49 and perimenopausal. ( Cycles started going crazy in September). I don't want nor do I think I am a candidate for HRT (can't take the Pill because estrogen makes my BP soar.). I am thinking I would like to keep the other ovary. Do they have to take both if you have a cyst? Does it make a big difference at this point if I have both removed because I am close to natural menopause anyway?

I wanted the option to keep my ovaries provided they were healthy. My surgeon told me most women ask her to take everything. I wanted to avoid surgical menopause. I read the averages about women going through menopause at 51. But I know women who had regular periods until 60. I will be 50 soon and so far my ovaries seem to be doing their thing( I did have my Fallopian tubes removed as some studies indicate ovarian cancer might start there). Talk to your Dr. about the pros and cons of your particular situation. Then make a decision that makes you feel comfortable. Good luck on your journey to wellness

Hi lisajt -

For me, I had a very large complex ovarian cyst (12 x 9 x 11 cm) and had uterine fibgroids. I was 46 at the time of my surgery and not in perimenopause; my CA125 was normal and my OVA1 was elevated. My gyn onc took both ovaries, both tubes, uterus and cervix. He told me the chances of my right ovary developing a complex cyst were very high, given my situation and my age.

Talk to your doctor and see what are your options. Even in menopause, your ovaries produce small amounts of estrogen. If you can keep one, that would be good. But you may not have a choice, just like I did not.

Hi Lisajt

I had a hysterectomy in August. They left one ovary.

I had 20 years of painful periods, ending up in me taking morphine. Then I got a cyst, which moved from one to the other ovary. My surgeons wanted to leave one ovary as they maintain that I'd be in "full blown menopause" within 3 days of the surgery.

When they did the surgery they found endometriosis, that was all removed, even around the one remaining ovary.

I'm actually glad that they left one, my emotions have been all over the place, I can only imagine how it would be without the other one. Personally speaking I think it helps having some hormones there rather than none, I know you said that you're peri-menopausal but perhaps consider keeping the one ovary.....it may be easier in the long run.

Poodie