Everything out or just bad ovary?

I am 52 yrs old, w/2 horizontal c-sections in my 30's. Have a 5x7 cyst on right ovary. No pain but doc says must go. At this point he is giving me the choice between total hyst or just offending ovary. My initial choice was to get rid of everything...my girlfriends say no! No family history and tested 57 on menopause test. Doc referred me to this website, which I have spent hours on. Ya'll are great

Hi Jimo,

I am a fibroid sister..I had a hyst for two large fibroids...and I thought I would reply anyway.

In my opinion, you might look at the less invasive direction...and just remove the unhealthy ovary. If your uterus, cervix and left ovary are healthy...and ovarian cancer does not run in your family...why remove the healthy parts?? There is a Hyster Sister saying...Why remove something...If it ain't broken??

Before I had my hyst (at 46), I had a friend who was diagnosed with a large cyst on one of her ovaries. Her first Dr. recommended removing everything...her uterus, her ovaries and her cervix. She decided to get a 2nd opinion and he recommended removing only her unhealthy ovary via a laparoscopic surgery. I saw her shortly after her ovary was removed and she said she was so glad with the decision that she had made.

Also, you mentioned having two C-sections. With today's every changing medical world, a C-section does not automatically mean a Hyster Sister is not a candidate for a laparoscopic surgery. My younger sister had an abdominal myomectomy (removal of a grapefruit-sized fibroid), then she had two C-sections with my nieces and she had a laparoscopic hyst two years ago. So ask your questions on that too...if you decide on removing the ovary only or if you proceed with a hyst.

Also, the ovaries secrete important hormones that help with the bones, skin and hair...to name a few. And newer studies are showing that the ovaries secrete their important hormones well into menopause and that the ovaries help with overall heart health. Also, my Dr. told me that ovarian cancer occurs in 5% or less of women so that was good odds for me. In my case, I was not prepared to remove my healthy ovaries to prevent something that might never happen. So maybe leaving the healthy ovary might be a benefit to you. It has been to me.

That all being said...in the end...just do what is *best* for you. That is what is most important.

Sending best wishes~

Mary

Hi Jimo,

I'm sorry you are having problems. Did your Dr give you a reason for removing your uterus? You know the old saying, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it." It seems to me that if there is nothing wrong, leave it alone. It is understandable to take the ovary with a cyst. It can be removed laproscopically as an outpatient procedure. You could be back to normal quickly. Taking the uterus is more involved. JMHO Does your Dr want to take the other ovary too?

Welcome, hope you get answers to all your questions.

if it were me and everything but the ovary was healthy..i'd have just the ovary and cyst removed. i'd avoid having major surgery if at all possible. good luck with whatever you decide to do!

And here is another one saying don't remove anything healthy!

If I had a choice I would have kept at least one ovary as surgical menopause is no picnic and dealing with that on top of normal recovery is no fun at all.

Go for the less invasive option if you can.

I think a second opinion could be very helpful for you. I do believe I would only have the problematic ovary removed. A hysterectomy is a major surgery that is not without risks so I would suggest trying alternatives and less invasive procedures first. Weigh all of your pros and cons and then do what is best for you!

I am glad your referred you here to HsyterSisters!

S

Hi,
I wanted to just give you some options/side effects to having only one ovary... just to have more information as you go forward. I had one ovary removed 1 1/2 years ago (ovarian cancer runs in my family and there was suspicioius cyst). The Dr. assured me that there would be NO side effects as my one remaining ovary would pick up. He was SOOO wrong. Within 3 mos. I started feeling a little more tired, periods became irregular and very clotty, my sex drive went down also. My doctor kept assuring me that this wouldn't be happening... but it was. Within 6 mos. I had a fibroid tumor...which I had not had before. Now, it is about 11cm x 12 cm.... that's a whole other discussion : ). Anyway.. I finally went to a dr. that specializes in bio hormone treatment. He told me that it is common for women to go into estrogen dominance when one ovary is removed...estrogen dominince is linked to fibroid tumors and other hormonal side effects. At this date, I am faced with a hyst. anyway... the large fibroid is painful and still growing... and of course, I'm afraid of the side effects of a hyst. .... my encouragement and suggestion would be to keep all that is healthy as others are saying... but understand that there could be side effects that your Dr. doesn't mention. Do some research and find a hormone specialist to go over what could happen with one ovary. Good Luck to you!!!!

Thank you all for your kind thoughts and compassion. The surgery consult is Feb 3rd, so will find out more.