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Keep Ovaries or go on Estrogen?
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04-19-2010, 12:41 AM
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HysterSister
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Posts: 15
Hysterectomy: April 28th, 2010
Surgery Type: TLH
Ovaries: Removed both
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Keep Ovaries or go on Estrogen?
My 3 large calcified fibroids and a pedunculated fibroid will be removed 4/28 via laparoscopic surgery. I am postmenopausal and 60 years old.
A significant 2009 study cited reduced lung cancer and heart deaths in women who had their uterus removed but kept their ovaries.
The most surprising part of this study for doctors was that it applied even to women 65 and under who were in menopause.
Heart and lung cancer deaths kill more women than ovarian cancer. To beat the odds, and for other reasons, it seems prudent to keep my so far healthy ovaries. (fraternal grandmother died from o.c. but drs. say this is not an important link.)
My doctor has never heard of this study and seems to want to remove my ovaries and put me on estrogen patches post surgery. HRT has its risks, too.
Any opinions or experiences out there?
Getting anxious.
Thanks.
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04-19-2010, 05:55 AM
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Posts: 3,319
Hysterectomy: July 2nd, 2007
Surgery Type: LSH
Ovaries: Removed both
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Re: Keep Ovaries or go on Estrogen?
pamalani,
Sorry you are in a position to need to make this decision. I was 55 when I had to and decided to go with my doc's recommendation. I thought that I hadn't listened to him on a couple other decisions and I was wrong so I'd go with him on that one. Ovaries went and I went on HRT. In my case I didn't realize until I was on HRT how bad my ovaries were making me feel. I'm doing much better on the fake hormones than I did on my own. My LDL and blood pressure were going up pre op, on HRT they have both come down significantly. That's me, I'm not saying that will be the case with anyone else. I'm just someone who is glad I had the BSO and would do it again.
You and I agree that heart disease, lung cancer and stroke too are a much bigger risk than ovarian or even breast cancer. Estrogen has been shown to be useful in heart health but the drug manufacturers aren't allowed to say so. It's very confusing.
You are wise to carefully consider this decision. The only reason I was able to get from my doc for removing my ovaries was less risk of ovarian cancer. I don't think the increased risk of heart disease, lung cancer and stroke warrant the removal. There are women, like me, who have ovaries that don't work quite right that makes the decision easier. If your ovaries shut down or you have menopause symptoms after your hyster, you can always take HRT.
Best wishes, keep us posted on your thoughts and decision.
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04-20-2010, 01:05 AM
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HysterSister
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Posts: 100
Hysterectomy: October 6th, 2008
Surgery Type: SAH
Ovaries: Removed both
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Re: Keep Ovaries or go on Estrogen?
Hello ladies,
I will have to research this study. I am 32 and had my hysterectomy last year. I had both my ovaries removed b'c the pain from the endometriosis was making it hard for me to leave the house and my quality of life was zero. I have read so many conflicting stories about all of this that it makes me want to scream. I was left with the decision on HRT by my GYN and so far, I have gone without. There have been hot flashes and sleepless nights where I have wanted to change my mind but I am almost out of the woods here.
If I were you, I would really question my doctor about the idea of HRT. Why does he/she want you to take HRT when you are postmenopausal? Seems like that would work out for you for a little while but then you would be left to ween off it and go thru those wretched symptoms again? Yikes. Obviously, I have not gone the 'natural' route in my on life but I would have to question a study regarding these estrogens when they would normally be gone from your system by now anyway! I wish there was just one place to get a straight answer but it doesn't exist does it?
Best wishes to you both. Maybe someday we will get a correct answer on this that we call can agree on!!
Liz, 31
SAH W BSO
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04-20-2010, 11:52 AM
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HysterSister
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Posts: 12
Hysterectomy: April 23rd, 2010
Surgery Type: LAVH
Ovaries: Undecided
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Re: Keep Ovaries or go on Estrogen?
I'm scheduled for a LAVH on April 23rd. As long as they don't find any cancer and they're healthy, my doctor recommended that I keep my ovaries. She said they will still be of some use to me. Not with estrogen, but with other hormones. I'm 57 and have been through menopause (although my uterus didn't get the email because it still continues to bleed!) There are no plans for HRT. Why would you do that AFTER you've been through menopause? It was never even suggested to me. Did anyone get a reason for HRT after you've been through natural menopause and are pretty much done with the symptoms of it.
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04-25-2010, 12:03 AM
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HysterSister
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Posts: 15
Hysterectomy: April 28th, 2010
Surgery Type: TLH
Ovaries: Removed both
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Re: Keep Ovaries or go on Estrogen?
Dear Northof50,
I asked my dr. about why HRT, even though I'm keeping my ovaries, and she said the light dose estrogen patches posed no health threat, would supplement the minimal ovarian output and I could be on them for life.
I tried the weekly patches for a month recently and I could think better and was less tired and cranky. Never had night sweats or other problems through menopause. I guess I'm just thinking that, being 60 and active, quality of life is becoming more important.
(Not to mention firmer skin, thicker hair and feeling sexier.)
If anyone knows a good reason not to take light doses of estrogen, please raise your hand!
As all the posts say, it's completely an individual decision so please don't take this as a recommendation for everyone.
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