Keep ovaries or not???

I am 33, and diagnoised with adenomyosis.. I have tried lupron injection and continous birth control to control the pain..None of which have helped with the pain.. I go Nov. 4th to set up a date for my hysterectomy.. My doctor told me to think of what I would like to do with my ovaries, keep them or not.. right now the decison to have the hyst is hard enough.. especially since I have no children.. now he wants to me decide this.. I was wondering if someone could help me with this decision.. Do I keep them or not, what are the pros and cons.. I would greatly appreciate any replys and take all of them to heart.. Thank you...


:confuse:

Hi Jen,

I decided to keep my ovaries after a long discussion with my Dr.

He said that ovarian cancer runs in about 5% of women. Ovarian cancer does not run in the females in my family, so I thought I had good odds.

I am 46 and I wanted to go through natural menopause, if I was a candidate. I felt my ovaries could still give out important hormones for my hair, skin and bones.

If the ovaries are removed it causes surgical menopause. Check with your Dr. about HRT and alternative methods if you opt for ovary removal.

Best wishes. The ovary question is a very personal decision.

You should look at your family history of cancer in order to guide you. You can also consult a genetic counselor to find out if you have the genetic markers for ovarian cancer.

I recently put together a bunch of info on ovaries and cancer - http://www.healthdiaries.com/2004/09...g-ovaries.html

Ovaries do wonderful things to protect our bodies from heart disease, bone loss and possibly mental cognition. Unless you have another medical condition such as endo, recurring cysts or cancer that recommends you remove them, I can't think of a good reason to have them taken out. You are very young and can benefit some much more from your own natural hormones.

Take care.

Hi

I am scheduled for a hysterectomy on Oct.6. I have to get rid of my uterus which is the size of a 5 mo. pregnancy and 2 fibroids; one is 10 cms. and one is 6 cm. I have opted to keep my ovaries ( we hope). My right ovary may be too damaged by the fibroid to save. I also decided to keep my cervix. My thinking is that first, at 45, I don't want to have to go one HRT. And secondly, I want my cervix for pelvix floor issues and for the sexual issues even though the jury is out on both. But since there is no incidence of cervical or ovarian cancer in my family, I am going to keep as much of me as intact as possible!

It is a hard decision, but thanks to these sisters, I am getting through it and finding the answers!

Blue (maria)

Dear Jen:

If your ovaries are healthy, and you have no family history of ovarian cancer, you should consider keeping them. They can continue to provide (FREE!!) hormones to contribute to the good health of your eyes, skin, heart, bones, etc. for many more years.

Good luck on your decision. I am sending huge cyberhugs