Ovaries can lose blood supply after hyst?

In one of the posts there was a reference about the ovaries maybe losing their blood supply after a hyst. Does anyone know the facts? Thanks! Going to the Castle 11-25-03.

I had read that the blood flow to the ovaries can be reduced after a hystectomy ( I believe it was reduced in half, but don't quote me on that ). I'll have to say that mine are functioning on a monthly cycle. I have a week in the middle of the month where I can't get enough to eat, I break out like a teenager, and my breasts are larger. I'm 9 months post TAH, kept ovaries. In my experience, my ovaries are getting plenty of blood to function. I just don't have to deal with the blood flow coming out anymore. Yeehaa! I am one happy
Good luck with yours.

Thanks for info, Sheri. Doc wants to take both ovaries and I am inclined to go along with it. I am 52 and not menopausal yet, but it'll be soon, doncha think? ha! If they are going to atrophy (that is what Doc says), then I agree with him. I hear you on "Aunt Flo".....what a pain she is! Was on BC pills and that controlled it ok. Doc told me to go off until castle visit on 11/25. After 17 days, she's here again WITH A VENGENCE!

Heidi

Dear Heidi,

My doc was a uro-gynecologist specializing in pelvic reconstruction. Because of his specialty, he performed 25 hysts per week

He told me that there is a 50/50 chance that the ovaries will fail within 5 years post-hyst. Being an optimist, *I* heard him say, there is a 50/50 chance my ovaries will still be working at 5 years post-hyst AND I have two of them to increase my odds even more I am now 4+ years post-op, and everything seems to be puttering along ok in there.

There are zillions of women walking around with their *retired* ovaries still inside. Reaching menoapuse doesn't mean the ovaries need to be removed. They can continue to dribble out good stuff for you (free stuff!) even after menopause.

If you weren't having a hyst, would you be asking your doc to remove your healthy ovaries? Just some food for thot... I am sending huge cyberhugs

Twyla,
Thanks for your well-put thoughts. My doctor mentioned that the ovaries would be "atrophying". The thought of that made me wonder why I needed them. But your question is profound and I certainly wouldn't be taking out healthy ovaries if I wasn't having a hyst! Good point. My doctor is gyn-ob and therefore not as specialized as a uro-gyne. I'm going to ask a lot more questions. Thank you so much.
Heidi

Ok I am so glad you brought this up, this is something I need to talk to my doctor about, my right ovary was removed because of a cyst that torsed the ovary cutting off blood supply, my left ovary continues to develop cysts and they rupture causing intense pain, I want it gone. She isn't willing to take it though, I am wondering what happens if the blood supply is cut off, do cysts still develop on them? Come to think about it where does an ovary get it's blood supply if it isn't connected to anything? This is all stuff we haven't discussed and I am not scheduled for a pre op appointment. I am going to call my dr. office and ask her all these questions. I don't want my ovary because it is such a problem for me. I realize surgical menopause can be just as much as a problem, but I just didn't know that I could go into menopause even if she doesn't take the ovary. I don't want her to have to go in there again to remove the ovary if it stops working but is still getting painful cysts. I can't imagine the cysts are helping the horemone production much either. At least I won't have a period anymore though. Ok any more info on this subject would be good.

Before you let anyone take your ovaries, I suggest reading up on the latest medical findings regarding the very important functions the ovaries play in our overall health. The ovaries are part of our endocrine system (pituitary, thyroid, adrenal, kidneys and ovaries/testes). These organs (yes, organs) are all interconnected and help to regulate our HEARTS, vascular, urinary, IMMUNE SYSTEMS, bones, skin, vision, hair, weight, and MORE. The ovaries are NOT just for reproduction and it is incorrect to assume that they cease to be valuable after menopause. On the contrary, scientist are now discovering that the function of the ovaries/testes continue throughout our lives. Unfortunately, most GYNs are unaware of this because it is not what they were taught in medical school. Ask you doctor for copies of the latest, 2002-2003 medical reports regarding the ovaries and the health issues mentioned above if you want to find out how current your doctor is in his/her education. If she/he can't produce abstracts or reports (remember, current reports is the key) to back her/his opinion as to why your ovaries should be removed, you may want to consider another opinion.

I personally believe that women should consider seeing doctors who are BOTH gynecologist AND endocrinologist before surgery. The specialty of endocrinology has a much better understanding of our ovaries than your average GYN. Hard as that may be to believe. These new discoveries are going to change the course of women's health and treatment of our problems.

Health issues aside; I didn't even go into the sexual dysfunction that can come from losing your ovaries. That is another complicated subject that depends on many factors. However, even the medical communities own reports show a much higher percentage of sexual dysfunction than most (85%) of the GYNs tell their patients. If your doctor is assuring you that your sex life will NOT be effected by oophorectomy (removing ovaries) that is a red flag for a second opinion because
no doctor who is really informed can make this claim. Again, ask to see the reports. Your doctor should be happy to load you up with all the facts so you can make a truly informed decision.

I didn't do any of this and unfortunately, got my education the hard way and too late. All I can do now is encourage each woman to make sure she is fully informed and truly understands her health situation, down to the last detail, before having a possible, life-altering, irreversible surgery.

Best wishes,

I do realize that the ovaries are ovaries and that is where the majority of hormone production is, and that after menopause they do keep working but they produce less hormones at that time. The problem with my ovary (yes singular because one has already been removed) is that it causes intense pain as I continue to grow hemoragic cysts on it and then it ruptures and well extremely painful. For this reason I would much rather it be taken and deal with the aftermath of hormones and all that stuff. But I am thinking if you have a hyst and the blood flow is cut off to the ovary then the ovary can't function at all and dies. This is similar to why they took my other ovary, the cyst got really big twisted the ovary cutting off the blood flow and they did emergancy surgery to remove it. The ovary may be able to function after menopause however if there is no blood flow to an ovary it can't function. If there is limited blood flow the function is limited. Anyway I have done my research and while I understand that in most cases it is valuable to keep your ovaries if they are not causing problems however if they are like in my case I would rather they remove it.

Lucille,
My situation different than Michelle's (she is 29 and I am 52) and her ovaries problematic and my ovaries are not. I understand all that you have conveyed. Thank you! I have NOT done my research....where do you think I should start?

	Quote:
I have NOT done my research....where do you think I should start?

Hi Heidi,

An excellent place to start is here:

http://www.hystersisters.com/vb2/sho...&postid=635240

Scroll down to the post by Savh, and be sure to click the links in her post. There's lots of great information on ovaries there.

It might be a good idea to print out the information and bring it with you when you see your doctor. Together, you can make the decision that is best for you.