Decision about Ovaries

First, I want to say that I don't know what I would have done if I hadn't found this site right after I found out I was going to have a hysterectomy. I have mostly been devouring the info in the Pre-Op forum. When I saw my doctor in July and we decided on the surgery, I couldn't think of any questions to ask her. After reading all the posts here -- I have subscribed to 62 threads, does that show how obsessed I've become with this topic? -- I knew I had to see her before my scheduled pre-op appointment (Sept. 4th) which is the day before my surgery. I saw her this afternoon to ask my two pages of questions. My most important one was about my ovaries. She prefers to take everything out because I am 51-1/2 and so at the average age for menopause anyway. I am having the hysterectomy because of precancerous endometrial cells. I also have some fibroids which aren't really giving me any trouble although the largest one is the size of a large grapefruit/small melon. [I had to ask after seeing so many others here have described the size of theirs.] I have read a lot about how much harder surgical menopause is and how it increases the risk for heart problems, osteoporosis, etc. Bottom line, my doctor said today that she would do whatever I wanted, & I am pretty sure I do want her to leave them if they look okay.

Has anyone else had an experience like this? She is a very good doctor and has done a lot of these surgeries. She sounds very convincing when she talks about the reasons for taking them out, but she describes them as not being functioning much longer anyway (at my age), when things I have read make it sound more like they do still provide hormones and help the body longer. I just want to make the right decision! Laurel

It sounds like you are a very informed person and you've really weighed all of the options and picked what's best for you. I had them take mine, but the crazy hormone levels they were shooting out were causing me migraines. Now on HRT I get a very level amount of hormones and I am soooo happy. You are not experiencing any of this so that reasoning doesn't relate at all. Sometimes heraing the stories of people with different experiences can help seal our won decisions.... different decisions. Take care. I hope someone posts with a story that rings really true for you to give you some peace.

I was 54 at the time of my hyst for precancerous tumors. I had been menopausal for a couple of years. I didn't have a choice about keeping my ovaries because of the precancer. I was started on hrt the day after surgery and I still went through a "surgical" menopause that was much more unpleasant than the "natural" menopause had been. It all got better after some tweaking of the hrt dosage. I'm still taking it ( a lower dose now ) & doing pretty well. I would have opted to keep my ovaries if I'd have had a choice. My dr explained that they do continue to produce after menopause - just at a reduced level.

It is a personal choice but since you have questions, I'd read, research and talk with your dr again. Then make the choice that is best for you.

S