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Upcoming December hysterectomy: To keep them or not? Ovaries
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10-18-2017, 08:26 AM
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HysterSister
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Posts: 31
Hysterectomy: January 3rd, 2018
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Upcoming December hysterectomy: To keep them or not? Ovaries
hello ladies! This is my first post here and I'm looking for advice on whether or not i should keep my ovaries. I am a 47 year old and starting to experience some menopausal symptoms (hair loss, heightened emotions, "cold flashes" and insomnia). I'm going in for my hysterectomy on December 1st due to extremely large fibroids. First doctor wanted to do a vertical incision from pelvis to chest and remove my ovaries as well. Second opinion doctor said he only needed to make a C section incision and to leave my ovaries in. I do have a history of cancer (leukemia, pancreatic, breast and skin) in my family, not me personally. I'd prefer to let menopause happen more naturally, but I'm scared of the whole ovarian cancer threat. Any advice is welcome. Thank you!
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10-18-2017, 08:51 AM
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Posts: 479
Hysterectomy: May 16th, 2016
Surgery Type: TLH
Ovaries: Kept 1 or both
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Re: To keep them or not?
Hi and welcome Butternut!
I was a little younger than you, 40 years old, when I had my hysterectomy last year. I originally told my Dr just take all of it, I won't need my ovaries anymore anyway. She sat me down and had a talk with me about what an important role your ovaries have. Even if you are starting to experience menopausal symptoms your ovaries will still release some estrogen. That estrogen is important to our bone and heart health. There is also a lot of thought in the medical field that ovarian cancer often starts in the fallopian tubes so often Dr's will remove those but leave the ovaries. No Dr should automatically make the assumption to take your ovaries, especially if you're opposed to it. My dr said she would take a look at them and if all looked well they would stay in. I'm happy to report that I did keep my ovaries, which means I still experience PMS symptoms every month but without the period.
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10-18-2017, 09:08 AM
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HysterSister
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Posts: 40
Hysterectomy: September 8th, 2017
Surgery Type: TLH
Ovaries: Kept 1 or both
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Re: To keep them or not? Ovaries
I am 46 but had no real signs of menopause and had a large fibroid and extremely heavy periods. I never had any ovarian issues. My doctor said it was totally up to me but that it was unnecessary to take them out since cancer was likely to start/form elsewhere. I certainly didn't want to take the hormone replacement stuff if I didn't need to and also was concerned about the effects on my bones, etc from not having natural estrogen. I think it's definitely your decision!
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10-18-2017, 09:18 AM
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HysterSister
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Posts: 31
Hysterectomy: January 3rd, 2018
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Upcoming December hysterectomy: To keep them or not? Ovaries
Thank you Purfctdrm!
I had no idea that research suggested that ovarian cancer may start in the fallopian tubes. My second opinion doctor (which will be my surgeon) said he would take my tubes out already, so this makes me feel better about wanting to keep my ovaries. Thank you!
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10-18-2017, 09:21 AM
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HysterSister
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Posts: 31
Hysterectomy: January 3rd, 2018
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Upcoming December hysterectomy: To keep them or not? Ovaries
Thank you Alyssa!
I feel the same way about hormone replacement drugs!
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10-18-2017, 09:41 AM
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HysterSister
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Posts: 7,531
Hysterectomy: October 23rd, 2006
Surgery Type: LSH
Ovaries: Kept 1 or both
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Re: To keep them or not? Ovaries
i personally would never have my healthy ovaries removed and have to deal with surgical menopause/hormone replacement. it's great you got a second opinion. i kept my healthy ovaries and cervix and have no regrets!
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10-18-2017, 10:00 AM
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HysterSister
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Posts: 31
Hysterectomy: January 3rd, 2018
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Upcoming December hysterectomy: To keep them or not? Ovaries
thank you for your input dressedupinblue!
It seems as though the general consensus is to keep them. This is really putting my mind at ease.
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10-18-2017, 01:49 PM
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Posts: 99
Hysterectomy: October 30th, 2017
Surgery Type: DvH
Ovaries: Kept 1 or both
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Re: To keep them or not? Ovaries
I'm 50, with no signs of approaching menopause. For what it's worth, I am hoping to keep my mine. I have a history of endometriosis with lesions on the ovaries and ultrasound shows "cysts" which may be endo. My surgeon prefers to leave the ovaries IF they are healthy. She will get to decide when she's in there, but we both agree to keep them if possible.
I have no family history of true breast cancer, however. There is post-menopausal ductal carcinoma in situ (dcis) in my family, which is different from invasive breast cancer. It's the invasive breast cancer that can be correlated with ovarian cancer. Do you know anything more about the type of breast cancer that is in your family? I think that if my family history on breast cancer were different, I might look at my ovaries differently. If the BRCA mutations ran in my family, I would get tested and if I had one of those alleles, the ovaries would go, I think. I don't believe there is any correlation with ovarian cancer and any of the other cancers you mentioned. Most cancer is just bad luck, and not about family history, FYI.
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10-18-2017, 08:09 PM
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Posts: 17,510
Hysterectomy: May 17th, 2011
Surgery Type: TAH
Ovaries: Removed both
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Re: To keep them or not? Ovaries
Hi Butternut70 -
I had a TAH BSO (total abdominal hysterectomy bilateral salpingo oopherectomy) so everything is gone - uterus, cervix, tubes and ovaries. That rudely dumped me into surgical menopause at age 46. For me, it was MISERABLE! My GP put me on HRT and it gave me my life back, but it is not the same as my own hormones. If I could have, I would have kept one or both ovaries.
Keep in mind that even in menopause, your ovaries release small amounts of hormones. Your doctor will also probably remove your tubes where it is believed that ovarian cancer may start. Here are articles that provide information:
Should I Keep My Ovaries if I Am Near Menopause?
25 Health Risks Related to Oophorectomy and Surgical Menopause
What Ovarian Hormones Do for You
Fallopian Tubes and Ovarian Cancer
Talk to your doctor about your concerns and make the right decision for you.
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10-18-2017, 09:16 PM
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HysterSister
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Posts: 32
Hysterectomy: September 19th, 2017
Surgery Type: LAVH
Ovaries: Removed both
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Re: To keep them or not? Ovaries
Hello! I was also on the fence so my doctor ran some tests to determine how close I was to menopause (fsh, estrogen, amh). I went forward with removal due to endometriosis, very low test results indicating menopause and my mom going into menopause at age 48 (I'm almost 46). I started HRT shortly after surgery. If my ovaries were healthy, I'd have kept them. At the very least, have your doctor run blood work to see how close you to menopause. Good luck!
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