keep or remove ovaries?

I am 47 with a large, very troublesome, uterine fibroid. My doctor wants me to have my ovaries out during the vaginal hysterectomy due to my age. I can't decide to keep or remove my ovaries. I have no fam hist of ovarian cancer, but I admit it scares me. A good friend was just dx stage 3 and had no symptoms. I am tentatively sched Dec 6 for surgery. I have no pain with the fibroid, but severe bleeding. So much so that I am uncomfortable leaving the house. I have heard some negative things about HRT. I am worried that HRT will in turn put me at higher risk for breast cancer. What should I do? And, has anyone ever heard about just keeping one ovary? Does that reduce your risk of ovarian cancer and at the same time supply enough hormones? Please help. I need to make this decision soon because my fibroid is growing! Thanks.

Hi Summerhouse,

I was 46 at the time of my hyst and I decided to keep my ovaries. I too had no history of ovarian cancer in my family. Also, I read that the ovaries secrete important hormones that help with the bones, skin and hair.

Here is a ~ovary~ thread from last spring that had some very informative posts:

http://www.hystersisters.com/vb2/sho...hreadid=188698

In pre-op, my Dr. and I decided to leave my ovaries since they were healthy. If he had gotten in there during surgery, I had signed a medical release that he could have removed one or both ovaries if he had seen a problem. I feel fortunate that my ovaries were in good shape.

I can suggest if you are really leaning towards ovary removal, check out the HRT-No HRT Surgical Menopause forum areas for more information.

Best wishes,

Mary

Thanks so much for the VERY helpful information. I have been reading through everything posted for the last hour! I am now questioning whether to remove my ovaries. I don't have fam hist of breast or ovarian cancer, but my Dad had a stroke when he was 70 and died very abruptly of pancreatic cancer at age 74, 2 yrs ago. My Mom, on the other hand, is as strong as an ox at 74. She had a total hysterectomy for an ovarian mass(benign) about 12 yrs ago and is in great shape. I have 4 sisters, all in good health, no breast or ovarian cancers there. So, all of this info has given me a lot to think about. I wonder if by leaving just one ovary still gives you enough hormones, but also reduces your chances of ovarian cancer? Has anyone read anything about this? My left ovary has given me some minor problems with cysts, etc., but nothing else. I think I will postpone the Dec 6 surgery to think about this a little longer and maybe do it after the holidays. There is no urgency, just that the fibroid is getting bigger and I want to have a vag hyst if possible. Thanks for the help. If anyone knows about the stats for leaving one ovary, let me know. My mini dachshund is chewing my shoe laces as I type this.

I'm 44 and have one ovary and decided to keep it. I figure that I have half the chance of anyone else of getting ovarian cancer. I've had just the one ovary (it's not even one complete ovary - just 3/4 of one due to a cyst.) It's done the job of two for the past 10 years and got me through 2 pregnancies. Even after my hysterectomy, my cycle has continued like clockwork. I do have cancer history in my family, but heart disease and stroke are more prevalent so I didn't want to mess with the hormones.

Good luck to you with whatever you decide.

Hi Summerhouse,

From what I have read on Hyster Sisters, having endo and/or cysts in pre-op can sometimes lead to post-op ovary removal if they come back after surgery. So, maybe something to talk about with your Dr.

As Beachlady said, having one ovary does lower your risk of ovarian cancer by 50%.

Here is another Hyster Sisters thread that can give you some information on stats on ovarian cancer:

http://www.hystersisters.com/vb2/sho...d.php?t=224039

Best wishes. You will make the right choice for yourself.

Mary

I was 43 at the time of my TAH for heavy periods, adenomyosis, and fibroids. I didn't have any family history of ovarian or breast cancer so I opted to keep my ovaries. I believed that you don't mess with something that is not broken. Unfortunately, 6 months after my TAH, I developed a complex cyst on my right ovary that continued to grow and change in complexity. I just had it removed this past Wednesday. I could have had the left removed also but I wanted to keep the natural hormones for as long as possible.
It is a very personal decision in which you have to weigh out the pros and cons of each alternative and how it affects you and your family. Best wishes with your decision.
Nancy

I read that your risk for developing ovarian cancer goes from 1 in 80 to 1 in 300 after hysterectomy. I would think it would be even better if you left just one ovary. I discussed this with my sister who is a doc and she thinks I am crazy for leaving any ovary in! She has seen some pretty bad stuff though as far as the ovaries go. Still don't know what to do. I talked to my breast doc yesterday about the effects of HRT on breast tissue. She said it does change it and does raise your risk a little. I think if I left the ovaries I would forever by fearful of ovarian ca. IT SCARES ME. Still waiting to talk to my OBGYN about the one ovary thing and her opinion on that. Thanks to all for the help. It has really made me think about this and find out anything and read everything I can!

If you are having trouble deciding what to do regarding your ovaries, a 2nd opinion would be a great idea, IMO. Most insurance will cover a 2nd opinion and some even require it. There is really no such thing as too much information when we are making life altering decisions.

I had my ovaries removed at 47 and left my uterus in. I had my ovaries out due to a benign cyst. Even tho menopausal, I immediately could tell I had hit the hormone wall. If I had it to do over again, I would have kept my other ovary. Looking back I saw that I freaked myself out, got over anxious, and should have really thought it out better, like all of you are doing. Wish I had had this website!

	Quote:
Originally Posted by jvsb I had my ovaries removed at 47 and left my uterus in. I had my ovaries out due to a benign cyst. Even tho menopausal, I immediately could tell I had hit the hormone wall. If I had it to do over again, I would have kept my other ovary. Looking back I saw that I freaked myself out, got over anxious, and should have really thought it out better, like all of you are doing. Wish I had had this website!

I agree with you!! I am 47 and had a tah on 10/10. I kept my ovaries which my gyno didn't push me one way or another. He said it was my choice. I sure wish I would have known about this site and I wouldn't have had the hyst at all!!! I have a huge fibroid, excessive bleeding, anemia etc. Everyone said I had to have this surgery, which as a result, I have a quarter size hole in my bladder and need vaginal cuff repair also. I am in a catheter constantly and still urine leaks out my vagina all over me. The repair is very scary and the chances of recurrance are great. I just wish I would have checked in to hysts more and the complications. Everyone led me to believe they are no big deal, well they are a big deal!!!
Littlepup