Remove uterus too?

I am planning to have my ovaries removed because of history of ovarian cancer and cysts and my doctor suggested I might also want to have my uterus removed as well. I can't find the benefits or the risks to having the uteruss removed as well as the ovaries. I understand the surgery menopause with the ovaries coming out - but not sure why I should or should not also have a hysterectomy. Any thoughts?

rsl,

If I was presented with this decision, I think I would tend to go with my Dr's recommendation and have my uterus removed at the same time. Then I would be undergoing one surgery instead of a second surgery to remove my uterus if it develops a problem. Granted, without the hormones from the ovaries the uterus won't be functioning anymore, but that doesn't guarantee that it couldn't develop other pathology or cancer. For me I would want the peace of mind of having it out of there. But I've already had a LAH. You need to go with what your heart and gut tell you - that's the ONLY right decision for you!

Hugs.
Lisa

((rsl))

Have you had a second opinion yet about what would be best for your specific situation?

There are definite pros and cons to each and every medical procedure so you do want to be sure to consider all of them when making your decision!

How will you be managing surgical menopause issues? Are you a candidate for HRT? If you use estrogen replacement, you will also need some type of progestin or progesterone to keep the endometrium from building up too much and possibly resulting in uterine cancer. If you go the progestin route, yon and your doctor will want to consider that the progestin could raise your chances of getting breast cancer.

There are ladies here on the site who have had a bilaterial salpingo-oophorectomy (BSO) and did not have their uterus removed. There are others who chose to have the hysterectomy along with the BSO that was needed. Each woman has to do what is best for her and it may not be what is best for another woman!

If you read all over the site you can find risks for either surgery. They can include sexual dysfunction, pelvic floor and bladder issues, hormonal problems, surgical complications, infection, on and on.

Talk to your doctor some more, get a second opinion, and keep doing your research. All of those will help you determine what is right for you!

s