Ovaries

This site is new to me. My hysterectomy is 6/12. I have 3 large fibroids which I'm glad to get removed, even with hysterectomy.
My Dr. wants to do a total hysterectomy, ovaries included.

I do not have any problems other then my fibroids are getting larger. My period is the same as before, normal. I'm 53, no hot flashes yet.

He says that after menopause the ovaries don't do anything for me, so remove them. I just read in a phamlet he gave me "If the ovaries have not been removed, the outer genitals and the vagina are not affected. In this case, a woman's sexual activity often is not impaired." I must ask him about this.

If it helps the sexual function, I would want to leave my ovaries in.

I'm not sure what to do. I just wonder how other women make up their mind.

Thanks for listening,

Judy

Ladybug 94

Welcome to this awesome site.

For me, also 53, it is an easy decision. I have no menopausal symtoms but I have alot of fibroids. I figure that if I leave my ovaries they will very soon start to act up...hense; hot flashes, moodiness etc. The doctor will start me on hormone therapy. But my hormone output from my ovaries will vary each day until I'm completely through menopause (years). Because of this imbalance I would be calling the doctor and changing the dose to adjust. I don't want that constant changing. I believe there are many different kinds of hormones now available and finding one that works well would not be difficult.

The second reason is that I do have a paternal aunt who passed at age 54 from ovarian cancer. So it is in the family.

The third reason is that during by endo biopsy the doctor mentioned cancer because the uterus had grown suddenly and the outline of it could not be seen on the ultrasound. Well....I couldn't sleep!!!! Just knew I also had cancer. I promised myself that if I got the chance for surgery I would take them out because of the worry of ovarian cancer. There really is not a good enough test for this silent killer.

The reason our fibroids are enlarging is because our hormone level is dropping, I'm told. The biopsy confirmed that. Getting a surge of estrogen and or a decrease of projesterone. At this point we can go for surgery or wait for complete menopause which MAY shrink the fibroids. I would just hate to have this surgery and then go back for another to remove the ovaries because of future problems with them, cysts etc.
Even if you decide to keep them the doctor has the last say. After seeing them during surgery he may deem them NOT HEALTY. He will remove them. You may have to agree to that prior to surgery. Good luck with your decison.

Maralyn

Good grief Judy, I forgot to talk about sex

If you have your ovaries you will continue to have hormone output...... until they start to decline...any second now!!! Symtoms of this decline can include vaginal dryness, less desire, etc. If you keep your ovaries but have the uterus removed do you plan on going through menopause without hormone therapy?

This is a very individual thing. Thousands of women take no hormones, go through menopause and have sex too. It just depends upon our own bodies way of going through menopause and how much we want to put up with.

When you talk with your he will probably tell you that in his opinion your ovaries are on the decline and he would rather remove the risk of cancer and put you on hormone replacement therapy to ease you through the next 2-6 years (normal menopause decline). Average age of ovarian cancer is 60.
That probably did not answer your sex question, did it?

Maralyn

Hi Judy

Hmmm. I'm not sure I really understand that statement in the brochure. Your ovaries secrete a small amount of testosterone, in addition to producing estrogen and progesterone so when ovaries are removed some women experience a marked drop in libido. Also, hormones contribute to vaginal lubrication, etc. Maybe this is the point of the statement.

There are ways to overcome these issues. Some estrogen replacement therapies include small amounts of testosterone. There are testosterone "pellets" that can be used. There are a variety of vaginal estrogen tablets/creams etc. that can help keep vaginal tissues from atrophying.

Please review the ovary decision with your doctor. If your ovaries are healthy and you have no family history of ovarian cancer, you may want to consider keeping them. Age 45 often seems to be the "magic" number (older than 45, take them out) but this is your decision to make, in conjunction with your doctor. Keep asking questions until you are satisfied that you can make the best decision for you.

Beth

Even after Menopause ovaries will continue to dribble some much needed Hormones, which are easier to supplement than totally replace! Here is a great thread with some wonderful info about reasons to retain those healthy ovaries:

https://www.hystersisters.com/vb2/sho...?threadid=8076

Another good one:
https://www.hystersisters.com/vb2/sho...threadid=10987

Good luck.....