Ovaries ... keep or not to keep???

I'm 37 and having a TVH this Wednesday (15th). My doctor has suggested I keep my ovaries and let them do their thing as long as they will! My concern is this -- I am a hormonal mess! My face is in continual break-out mode and my mood swings are awful!! I also am on an anti-depresent for depression. If I keep my ovaries won't that mean all this stays the same??? Just because the uterus is gone - won't my hormones stay the same? I would appreciate any feedback. Thank you so much!!

Hi Lel- I think that as long as the ovaries are not diseased, you would be better to keep them. You did not mention the reason for the hyster, but just removing the uterus might be enought to straighten out the hormonal imbalance for you. You should let your body go through natural menapause by keeping your ovaries, or the problems may intensify. I wish you all the best, I will be thinking of you- by day is Dec 12. Let me know how you do...

Best wishes,
Laura

At your age, and if they are not diseased you should keep them. That way you won't have to take harmones when you ovaries are keep doing what they were put there for. I am 52 and had ovaries removed because years ago one had to be removed. Since I am pre-meno they will stop functioning soon anyway, so out they came. Ovaries also play an important part in osteoporosis. God Bless you with a speedy recovery as he did me.

Thank you for your response. I am having the TVH because of heavy menses and continual spotting. My doctor has said the same thing you both did . . . I guess that is the best choice. Thank you!

Everyone feels differently about it..I do not miss my ovaries one bit. I had a hysterectomy mainly due to a pap result of severe dysplasia CIN3, & I'm glad that I had my ovaries et al, REMOVED. <P.S. My post-op path report did indeed show carcinoma in situ, so that made me doubly glad that I had them taken out...I'd rather be safe, than sorry.>

I must agree that everyone feels different about this. I am 30 and I chose to have mine removed.I had my TAH/BSO on Oct 19. I feel great! No problems at all with hormonal therapy.
I had Endo and I know with that if you leave the ovaries the endo can reocur. Not something I wanted.
Lea

Hi Lel,
I had to deal with this issue, as well, but I'm quite a bit older than you (I'm 47). Since I've started reading these boards in August, there have been several very lengthy threads about this exact subject that contain a lot of very good information about what your ovaries do for you.

You might try using the search function (it's at the top right of your page when in one of the message boards -- it has a globe icon). You can enter "ovaries" in the subject and limit it to looking in the "topic" line of the post (instead of the entire post text).

Maybe one of the hostesses will come along and can give you directions to some of the more relevant posts.

Best of luck to you!
Cheryl