Frightened!!

I have just had investigative surgery on 14th April (still a bit sore) and the specialist has advised I have a hysterectomy also taking my ovaries away even though they are healthy at the moment as he says in his knowledge if the ovaries are left they usually cause problems after and would result in surgery to remove them which is harder to cope with after the hysterectomy. I have endemetriosis and adenomyosis and at 45 he feels surgery is best. I am having a meeting with him next week but tend to agree. I am just a bit scared about the ovaries going!! but he is a big fan of HRT and is looking at quality of life as I probably have another 5-6 years before hitting the menopause.

I am quite a fit person, hate the thought of not being able to do anything for weeks but am fed up with the bad clotty periods and pelvic/back pain which is now practically constant.

Anyone going through the same dilema?

I am waiting for a hysterectomy too Im still unsure about what they are taking but i think its just my womb. I am terrified about getting the op I have 2 small children and the thought of being laid up for so long is driving me mad but I keep focused on the view that after the op my life should be better than it is the now being in constant pain. I hope everything works out for you from shiona

A good article regarding the ovary issue is:
Rational for Ovarian Conservation by Donna Shoupe MD

On another note: Having experienced the first 8-9 months of a natural menopause-I would take it any day over the chaos having my ovaries removed threw me into. I am straightened out now but would not do it again.

jan05

i would really do some research on keeping or removing your overies if they are healthy. there are pros and cons to both sides of the issue. my dr. let me decide if i want to keep my overies. as the were healthy i decided to keep them. reading posts on the board it seems to me that it can take a long time to find just the right balance of HRT, something you might not have to worry about if you kept them. on the other hand if overian cancer runs in your family it might be best to remove them.
good luck with your decision

jane321

Thanks for the advice. I am seeing the specialist on the 26th with my Husband. I am making a list of questions to ask and hopefully at the end of the meeting will feel happy with what we agree is best. Will be back with the outcome!

Hi Jan,

It is a very tough decision that you are faced with.

When the discussion of a hysterectomy came up with my doctor, I really wanted to keep my ovaries. My doctor would not do the surgery unless they were removed because I was dealing with endometriosis. He said that when the ovaries remain, there is a higher chance of problems with endo even after the hysterectomy since estrogen feeds the endo.

He explained that endo is very microscopic and if any endo remains after the surgery, then by keeping my ovaries the estrogen produced from the ovaries could cause it to grow and spread again. I was also not allowed estrogen therapy for 3 months following my surgery.

Since then I have discovered that each doctor has a different approach to treating endo. Some doctor keep the ovaries...some do not. Some doctors start women on hormones right after surgery....some do not. So I feel it may be helpful to get more than one opinion, so that you are completely comfortable with your decision.

I decided to have my ovaries removed and I am happy I went that route. I have been free from my endo for 3 years. Not all women have the same outcome as I have

I did struggled with finding the right hormone therapy to help control my menopause symptoms. It was not easy and required alot of reading and research, but I have finally found a good regimen of hormone therapy and it has been worth the effort for me

I wanted to share some articles that may be helpful while you are in the deciding stages. Endometriosis

Also here is an interesting article that talks about surgical excision of the endo. It is suppose to have the best long term pain relief and does not require a major surgery such as a hysterectomy.
Surgical excision and also

Progesterone to treat endo

Best Wishes with making your decision. It is something I would take my time and completely discuss the pros and cons.

Hi Troubled Tabby

Thanks for the help and info you sent me.

I have been to see the Specialist and now feel confident in where I am going with everything.

As you say keeping the ovaries will not solve the problem long term. He has assured me that I will be fine will taking the ovaries away as well, I have stage 3 endemetriosis and my bowels are being affected by being stuck to an ovary tube on one side and membrane on the other so I feel as though the lot has to go!! He has suggested 2 types of hormone treatment, 1 being a ring inserted up inside which lasts 3 months but has to be taken out before sex! or a postage stamp size patch that is changed every 3 days. The latter sounds the better option! He suggests startiing me off at about 85% of the estrogen level I have at the moment maybe a couple of weeks after the operation. As I am not overweight and quite fit, he has assured me I should have no problems and should feel like a new woman. Getting rid of the pain I experience will be fantastic. I am booked in to have the op on the 2nd June and having LAVH (incl ovaries) He has said there is always a small (10%) change when he starts this operation he has to revert back to the traditional method but I am happy to take the risk! He says I will be biting at the bit to get back to normal life.

I am looking forward to feeling like a new woman!

It is great to hear from people that have got through this and come out the other end pleased they made the right decision.

Thanks Janette