Age old Question/39 years young/PCOS-Keep ovaries?HRT?

Hello,
I'm scheduled to have TAH mid August. My doctor is giving me the option regarding keeping my ovaries. I have PCOS, fybroids, pain, the whole works. 39 seems young to get rid of them, yet they cause me pain. I've read that PCOS makes it tougher to regulate the estrogen via HRT. Anyone have any experiences to share? Thanks in advance.

This is what I did. I asked my surgeon to preserve my ovaries if they looked OK when she went in to perform the surgery. That way I didn't have to live with deciding to take out something and then find out later that they didn't need to come out.

It's possible that what you perceive as ovarian pain is really coming from your uterus, too.

Only you and your medical team can make this decision for you, but personally I would try to keep the ovaries if it's possible.

Hi mr2574,

I have PCOS and did have my ovaries removed. It is true that it is more difficult to control the PCOS with your ovaries, but removing your ovaries makes the PCOS worse. Unfortunately, there is no cure for PCOS, not even an oopherectomy. I also had a lot of pain before my surgery, but we don't know how much of that pain was caused by the fibroids. Many find a low dose bcp will control the polycystic ovaries, and that has a lot less symptoms than losing the ovaries and is a lot cheaper than HRT. Once you lose your ovaries, you can't go back and put them in again if you don't like the results. I was 49 when I had mine removed and I honestly wish that I could have kept them ( they were badly adhered to my uterus and unsalvagable).

If your Dr thinks it is a good idea to keep them for now, IMHO you should consider following his advice. With or without them, the other symptoms of PCOS will remain and need to be treated.

Here is a link to a PCOS article which you may find helpful. Learn as much as you can, but why not try the least drastic change available. You can always remove your ovaries later if they are still causing pain, but you won't be able to put them back if you are not able to find a suitable HRT.

,
Kay

Hello. I wondered too since my ovaries have never been my best friend, should I keep them? After talking to my doctor, we decided to wait and see how they looked in surgery. If even one was healthy, she would leave it. Well one had a big dermoid on it and the other she said looked shrunken and past menopause so out they both came. I was put on a low dose Estrogen patch in the recovery room and really I feel better than I ever remember. Besides the infertility and heavy periods, I didn't really have any other symptoms with my PCOS so, getting it all out may be the best for me. I kinda had hoped one ovary would be saved but really it's good to know I will never have to go back and have any more removed and so far HRT is no problem. Best wishes on your decision. (btw, I'm 44)