Post-Op members only: Did you keep your ovaries?

I am 53 and was perimenopausal when diagnosed with endometrial cancer. Five days ago I had a vaginal hysterectomy and both ovaries removed, one of which had a golf ball sized cyst on it. My surgeon and I had discussed whether or not my ovaries would have to go, and she said she would try to take them as a preventative measure, but if she couldn't do that vaginally, she would leave them. Because I am overweight, she says that most likely they have been producing little estrogen and that my adrenals, which produce testosterone, were converting that into female hormones. That may be a little warped but that was the gist of it. She said I would likely NOT have any major menopausal symptoms.

I'm 54 and had both ovaries removed during my hysterectomy on 1/8/09. I have a family history of ovarian cancer, my grandmother in her 70's or 80"s and my younger sister @ 30. I was going to get the Braca genetic test for breast & ovarian cancer but realized it's not 100% accurate and I'd worry if I left them in. The other reason is my hysterectomy was due to uterine cysts and fibroids that had developed in the last 3-5 years and were still growing. Since that's unusual post menopausal I decided to just be done with all parts that could cause problems. My doctor left the decision up to me and agreed with my rational. I struggle daily with anxiety and didn't need anything else to add to my worries. Hopefully I made the right decision and will not have trouble adjusting my hormones.

I am 36 and have had abnormal vaginal bleeding for 2 years. I chose not to keep my ovaries (family history of ovarian cancer). I have not started any HRT. I am 26 days post op and doing GREAT. My only complaint is a few hot flashes.

radoncnurse
LAVH/BSO 12-18-08

I made it know that I did not want a full hyst. but when I woke she said that i took everything you weren't planning on having babbies and its just better now, with the history o cancer in your family. so I have noting left and have ployoverian something and dont even have my stupid overies any longer and now I have to get tested for overian cancer and I dont even have them.. I was amazed that I could still get that kind of cancer with out haveing the overies.. oh well God bless to all

munchkin1367,

Thanks for the reply. I know that its crazy you can still get ovarian ca without ovaries. I have done a ton of research (thats the nurse in me), even though rare, still possible to have such a horrible disease without the organs! I think its GREAT that you share your experience with other people wh may or may not be aware o f this risk. Keep up the good work! God be with you.

i kept my ovaries but wish i hadnt. i have and had endo worst stage. and i have had to have another lap done since the hesto, and now i am still in pain because of the ovaries and scar tissue and the endo that causes it. so now i will face another surgery to remove them. i had my hesto at 36 which is why decided to keep the ovaries at the time because i was so young now at almost 40 with issues still. i am ready to take them out and face whatever i need to as far as hormones. i just want out of the the pain and aggrevation for once.

Interesting thread. I had TVH + Rt Ooph on 12/29/08. In the pre-surgery discussion with my doc, I told her that I didn't want to go through surgery any more than necessary so she had my permission to clean out whatever she felt she needed to. However, since I'm 44, I asked her to be conservative in judgement and save ovaries if possible. Turns out there was tube twisting and lots of endo on Rt side, so out it came. With family history of cancers and quite our own club of hyster sisters, I'm confident that's for the best. Hoping one left will help mitigate some of the endocrinology challenges ahead. So far, so good.

I'm at high risk for breast cancer, and am on tamoxifen to try to prevent it. I was 46 at the time of my surgery, and already having hot flashes due to the tamox. My gyn. suggested keeping them "because if your think you're having hot flashes now, you ain't seen nothing yet. AND, you can NOT go on HRT." My breast surgeon had also told me I could never put any external estrogen into my system. I met with an oncologist prior to surgery, and he said it was reasonable to keep them to avoid surgical menopause. Only my breast surgeon felt I should have them removed, because he feels my increased risk is due to estrogen. I respect this man TREMENDOUSLY, but I sure hope he's wrong!! I don't have cancer, I'm just at high risk (due to atypical ductal hyperplasia). So it didn't seem worth removing the ovaries and suffering with menopause symptoms withoug being able to relieve them with HRT. (My gyn. and I agreed that if my ovaries looked problematic she would remove them. After I became more coherent, the recovery room nurse told me that the first question I asked as I was coming out of anesthesia was "did she take my ovaries?" )

I am only 42 and did not want to start menopause yet so my doctor and I agreed that if my left ovary ( the one that has not given me any trouble) looked healthy then it would stay. After 4 laproscopic surgeries for endo, this is hopefully my last surgery.

Randaroo 40;

Thanks for the post. I have had over a year to think about my hysterectomy so none of this was a hard decision. I too have had a lot of pain from my ovaries, I'm sure that they were the culprit now that they are gone. My biggest deciding factor was famiy history of ovarian cancer. I have seen several people with this disease in my line of work, and its never a pretty sight. I have decided not to take HRT, honestly I feel so much better, I am realizing how BAD I have felt for a really long time. Only a few hot flashes per day and some fatigue, but who doesn't have fatigue. I wish you the best of luck with your decision. God Bless you.