Keep ovaries?

I am 46 years old. Hysterectomy scheduled for August 22. MD could not see my ovaries via sono, so don't really know what he will find. I am having a lot of trouble deciding if I should ask to keep my ovaries if possible.... I understand the benefits, but I also understand increased risk for Ovarian CA. Also, a friend told me about some kind of natural help for menopause that contains rhubarb root. Any ideas??? Please help!!! I appreciate this site SO much!!

My opinion (and I am not a doctor) is that you should keep them if at all possible. They do so much to regulate the body and it's difficult to reproduce that.

Thank you so much! I really, really appreciate it!

I kept both of mine even though I had a 4" dermoid cyst on my right ovary. My Dr feels it's best to keep your ovaries , if possible, because natural menopause is better than surgical induced.

Thank you so much! Have either of you heard of that natural estrogen thing made from rhubarb root?

No I haven't heard of it. Even if it is natural, do you think it's as good as the estrogen your body makes? Did your Dr say that he can save your ovaries?

I have not heard of the rhubarb root. A quick use of my Googlefu brings up a lot of conflicting information. It looks like it's used for hot flashes but I can't find anything about it's use for surgical menopause.

With natural menopause your ovaries and uterus continue to produce some hormones throughout your life. With surgical that doesn't happen so it's a very different animal.

I kept my ovaries but later had to have them removed. I use Vivelle Dot. It's an estrodiol patch.

thank you to both of you....I just learned about the rhubarb root thing and so haven't discussed with MD. I'm leaning towards trying to keep my ovaries..... won't know until I wake up!!

You're so welcome, sister! Sending well wishes and ((hugs)) your way...

best of luck to you! I am wondering about hte benefits of keeping my ovaries vs. taking them out now to avoid my 1 in 70 chance of getting ovarian cancer. It is a lot to think about and never imagined that would be a choice I would have to make.