Remove ovaries or not

I just turned 40 years old. I had a fibroid tumor and ovarian cysts removed in Nov 99 and now again I have a small fibroid tumor in my uterus and a very large cyst.My doctor recommends a total hysterectomy, since the fibroid tumor came back just 6 months after the last one was removed and he recommends removing the ovaries because of the persistant cysts, especially this last one that is quite big. He said I would go on HRT right after the surgery and it would be ok. I am not so worried about the hysterectomy as I am about the ovary removal. I will go into instantaneous menopause and I've also heard alot about weight gain after such surgery. Has anyone had a smiliar diagnosis and what were your expereiences? THanks!
Nancy

Nancy,

I kept my ovaries, but did not have the trouble with ovarian cysts that you have mentioned. You may want to go to the Hormone Jungle Message Board and post your question there. You can also visit the Hormone Jungle website and read the pull-down menus. There is a lot of good information there.

http://www.hormonejungle.com

Hope this helps!

Welcome!

I'd also suggest posting on the main hyst support board. You'll find a lot of women who've had the ovary/no ovary question.

My doc is leaving them in, to get a few more years of naturally going into menopause (I'm 48). I have had some cysts in the past, but it is my fibroids which have put me over the top. I suppose if the cysts got too bad, back in I'd go. My decision - you can't put something back in. We are all different - some women want to be sure of no more surgery, especially if they've already had some!

Let us know how you are!

Dixie Tracy, Fibroid Investigator

Nancy,
I am 43 and scheduled to have a TAH/BSO on 6/20. I also have the same problem as you in deciding whether to keep my ovaries or not . I went to the library and read books about Hysterectormies, the books had information regarding surgerical menopause. I also talked to my doctors again about the HRT. He said that I would begin HRT right after surgery and that we may not get my system right the first time with HRT but no to worry, we'll work together to get it right. It's more of a personal choice, if you have the options, for me I didn't want to deal with any more surgeries, and to get on the road to recovery. Good luck, my thoughts will be with you.

Barb