Kept ovaries, what should I expect from them?

I'm 2 weeks post-op from a TVH. I kept both ovaries, since they were healthy. I've had no complications so far, quite the contrary. I've felt great. Except...
Since last week I had noticed my breasts feeling a bit sore and swollen. I've also been struggling with my appetite and today I woke feeling totally exhausted for no apparent reason. I'm in one of those "leave me alone" moods, not wanting to leave the house (or my desk to be honest) all day.
I'm assuming it's hormonal. This is something that had not crossed my mind prior to surgery. Since I was keeping my ovaries I thought hormones would not be an issue, so I am totally lost. Any insight as to what I should expect?

Just because you kept your ovaries doesn't mean that they are functioning perfectly. Most of the time, the blood supply to them gets disrupted during a hysterectomy. This diagram explains how the blood supply to the uterus and ovaries can differ for various women. According to the info in the diagram, 56% of women have their ovaries get their blood supply from both the uterine and ovarian arteries. 40% of women have the blood supply come from the ovarian artery only and 4% get the blood supply to their ovary from the uterine artery only. During surgery, the uterine artery is cut so you can see how the blood supply gets disrupted. For the 4% that have only the uterine artery providing the blood supply, it would logically seem that if that blood supply gets cut off, then the ovary would stop functioning. And for the other 56%, it would take time for the ovary to get used to have only part of its blood supply. I would assume that the 40% would be the ones feeling the least of the effects. I am not a doctor but I think that my assumptions make sense when one views the diagram. I hope this helps.

Thanks for the info. At least now I have an idea of what could be happening. I'll take it up with my Gyn. at my next check-up in a few days, so he can monitor my symptoms.

I had my hysterectomy 2 years ago and kept both ovaries. Mine did "shut down" about a month after surgery and I started getting hot flashes/night sweats for about 2-3 weeks before they started working again.

Depending on your age, hopefully they will work for awhile. I had my surgery at 45 thinking I'd get at least 5 years before menopause so I decided to keep my ovaries since they were healthy. I just I started to get the flashes again (at 47) but taking an OTC supplement that seems to control them. I have heard that having a hysterectomy will cause you to go through menopause about 3-5 years sooner if you keep your ovaries, so I guess I my timing was borderline......

My doctor warned me that even though my uterus was being removed, I would likely still have to deal with pre-menstrual symptoms such as tender breasts and mood swings because I kept my ovaries. And she's right. While I am grateful that I don't have the horrible pain associated with my period coming soon, I do have swollen, tender, oversensitive breasts/nipples, I am moody, and I am going through the same food cravings I always go through. For the most part, I feel like I always felt. Maybe I'm weird, but in a lot of ways it's comforting to me that I do.

I had night sweats for a few days after surgery but it seems I was lucky. My ovaries seem to have gotten over the shock of surgery fairly quickly and seem to be functioning normally (so far).

I had my 3 week follow-up yesterday. Told the Gyn about my symptoms, including having gone from a 36 C to a 38 D since having the surgery (even though I have lost all the surgery related weight). He assured me that PMS symptoms would continue to affect me as long as my ovaries were functioning (sort of a relief, I guess). But he ordered some blood work to check my thyroid levels. Aside from that I am healing wonderfully (though I'm not cleared to exercise for another week). My next check-up is in 4 weeks. In the meantime I'm looking into natural supplements to help balance my hormones.

I am glad to hear personal feedback ... N hoping that my ovaries kick back and I won't have to rely in pills.

I still have my ovaries as well, but I think they're a little whacky right now.

For some reason I'm more tired now at two weeks post op than I was a few days after the surgery. I think after the surgery I was SO glad it was over with, and SO glad to be back home. Now, I'm kind of tired of it all...tired of still having some pain, tired of not doing everything I normally do...and I get really worn out around 3:00 or so in the afternoon and can't make myself go lay down and take a nap!

I've just been getting really bad night sweats. I take an Atavan (anti-anxiety) before bedtime and it helps a little. I only wake up once drenched in sweat. The one time I didn't take it, I was up most of the night sweating.

I am 4 months post-op and I too am noticing that I have the typical PMS symptoms that I had before. I figured it was due to the ovaries still being there but appreciate the responses on the boards! Now I know it's normal and I get to keep those wonderful PMS symptoms for now. I've found that XS Midol works great though. :-)