TLH: Ovaries - do they stay or do they go?

I am 44 and I have my surgery scheduled July 24th. I have been wanting to have a hysterectomy since I was 12 due to bad periods (which got better over time - I have a beautiful 16-year-old so that worked out). I have had fibroids for at least 17 years and now they are impacting my stomach and bladder. I am having a DaVinci hysterectomy.

The doctor gave me the option whether or not to keep my ovaries. I am close to menopause, but not close enough where they would take them out automatically. However, in talking to my GP yesterday, she thought I should give consideration on having them removed. I have 3 aunts who have had breast cancer, two of whom died from it. My GP said there was link between breast and ovarian cancer and thought I should really think about having them removed.

I am worried about the instant menopause and its effects, as is my husband. Does anyone here have any thoughts?

I am in the same boat! Do I keep or not to keep. I go in for mine on the 7 of june.

That's a tough question, shiborilady. With your family history of breast cancer, you should definitely avoid HRT. Therefore, you'll be going through menopause some years early.

I'd suggest asking both your GP and your gyn (because it sounds as if that way you'll get both sides of the story!) if there's a way to monitor you for ovarian cancer if you choose to keep the ovary. Frequent bimanual pelvic exams? Frequent blood tests for CA125?

Try and get all the information before you make a decision. Don't be shy of asking questions! :-)

Just talked to my gyn and he said that I should really consider keeping them. Birth control pill gave me migraines so I wanted to avoid hormone replacement anyway.

Ovaries are great things to have for as long as you can hang on to them. (Alas, I'm about to lose mine, but I'm post-menopausal in any case.)

Did the gyn say anything about a proposed plan for monitoring for ovarian cancer?

Not yet. Though he is extremely thorough. So I have confidence that he has a process.