keep ovaries or not at age 61?? help

I am 61 years old and am having a hysterectomy. I have never had female problems. My doctor said that at my age my ovaries are not producing much estrogen. I cannot take estrogen replacements because my mother had breast cancer twice. Should I have my ovaries removed? The only reason I would want to keep them is if they are still producing estrogen.

Hi garden88, I don't really have any advice for you but will pray for you to make the right decision for you. You didn't mention the reason for your hyster. Without them you'll be in surgical menopause and even if you keep them they may not "wake up" for awhile after your surgery so you may still have to deal with menopause symptoms. Best wishes and Hugs as you go through your journey.

I can't remember where I read this but the latest recommendations are to keep ovaries until age 65 if they are healthy. I would ask why remove a healthy organ if it is not necessary. You end up with more cut ligaments, more stitches and more work inside you that has to heal. Hope this helps.

I was 57 and supposedly not making hormones-----wrong!!! I had worse symptoms and new ones from what I'd had in natural menopause. Yes the Drs said I shouldn't see a difference, but I did. I'd encourage you to keep those ovaries if you can, esp if you won't be able to take HRT. If I'd realized my ovaries still produced something, even in small amounts, I'd have tried harder to keep them.

gardens88,

I was 55, still cycling and bleeding like crazy when I had my hyster. Doc recommended removing my ovaries to reduce the risk of ovarian cancer, the only reason he gave.

I'm on about my 20th HRT combo. That said, I feel better on HRT than I did on my own hormones. I know I would feel very bad without estrogen. Several personal friends without ovaries and not taking HRT (because of the WHI study) are having problems--osteoporosis or heart problems.

Keeping your ovaries if you can't take estrogen replacement is something you need to seriously consider. Ovaries continue to produce small, but important, amounts of estrogen for a long time.

Let us know what you decide.

Thank you all for your kind words. I have a severe prolapse of the uterus and bladder. I had laparoscopic surgery in September that did not hold. At that time I refused the hysterectomy. Now I am going to a Dr. that specializes in pelvic reconstruction. I have never had problems with my female organs, very few cramps, etc. I went through early menopause years ago. To this day, I still have night sweats, but they only last a few minutes. Menopause was not a big ordeal to me. I would hate to go through a worse menopause at this late time in my life.

Hello!

In addition to producing estrogen, the ovaries also produce progesterone and testosterone. As has already been mentioned, the ovaries continue to produce hormones even after menopause. There are members on this site who have been through menopause, have the ovaries removed, and are surprised to find they are having menopause symptoms again. Natural and surgical menopause aren't the same since with natural menopause at least trace amounts of hormones are produced.

If your doctor doesn't have sound medical reasons to remove your ovaries, please consider keeping them just as you would keep other healthy body parts. The hormones your ovaries produce are free--another bonus!

Best wishes to you!

I assure you my natural menopause, while not symptom free, was way easier than surgical menopause. Symptoms I never had before cropped up, plus all the other ones I'd had before. No one told me that could happen, so I'm telling you so you can factor that into your decision. Good luck with your decision and surgery.

My breast cancer was estrogen positive both times..
If your mother had BC twice as well, it would be nice to know if hers was also
e positive.. If so it may be in your best interest to have your ovaries out. It may give you some peace of mind as well if your mothers cancer was and it may save you more surgery in the future..

I am 66 and had endometrial cancer. I just had a total H everything out plus nodes. Nodes came back negative and the cancer was contained in my uterus. My cancer was caused by unopposed estrogen that I assume my ovaries were producing. Since I have been through menopause for years now, my regular GYN said I would not need HRT. Sure hope she is right. I am only on the 6th day of recovery, but everything is going well so far. I had to have ovaries removed because of the cancer.