Keep ovaries or not?

My DR wants to remove both ovaries, the cervix(due to cancer of the cervix) and my uterus due to fibroids and heavy bleeding, but since they have determined that the ovarian cyst is benign, is ovary removal really neccessary? If I keep the ovaries, would I still have periods?
I am not clear on why she still wants to remove it all, probably due to family history of ovarian cancer. With a family history, even though I do not have it, is ovary removal still neccessary?
I do not object to removing them if they can supplement the hormones without much side effects, but I do not want horrible mood swings, or to have my already high blood pressure go even higher etc.
I will talk to my DR tomorrow if possible. Thanks all.

Hi shortcut58,

Having a discussion with your doctor is a good idea. There are a lot of good reasons to keep one or both of your ovaries if you can, but sometimes medical reasons prohibit it. It is a very personal decision and through researching the pros and cons, as well as a good talk with your doctor, it is ultimately a decision that only you can make.

My mom had a radical hysterectomy for cervical cancer 23 years ago and at that time, she had no choice about her ovaries. I was fortunate to be able to keep mine. Over the years, though, it seems we do have a choice in a lot of cases.

Some ladies do have their ovaries removed if there is a history of ovarian cancer in their family and some don't. There are a couple of articles in the Pre-Op Article section that you might want to take the time to read. One is Keep Ovaries? and the other is Keep Ovaries? Keep One or both?. You can also do a search by clicking Resources, which you can find at the top of each page.

I wish you the best with your surgery and the decisions you have to make.

s

Deb

If you keep your ovaries they will still produce hormones following the regular monthly cycle until menopause when they will slowly wind down. If you have your uterus removed, you will no longer have a menstrual period.