Leave in ovaries or remove???

Help...not sure what I should do! I am going to be 50 in Oct. I have fibroids & heavy bleeding. Mom took DES, so they want to remove my cervix & do a hysterectomy. Its my choice whether or not to leave in my ovaries. Reading these posts well I am just not sure.
I am going to be 50 so should I just have him take everything?? IF so I would choose to go on HRT. I do not have my surgery date set yet, but i should know in a month. My dr. wanted to give me time to think about it.

Dale

I had my ovaries removed at age 51 and would not do it again. 1. There was nothing wrong with them. 2. Having them out severely increased my menopausal symptoms. 2. I felt I required ERT to feel normal after surgery. I felt fine before the surgery. 3. I aquired an interesting problem after surgery. Every morning my toes and fingers feel very stiff. I don't know it this is due to extra fluid retention from the ERT or something else.

There are been some new studies that seriously question the benefit of removing healthy ovaries prior to the age of 65. Prophylactic Oopherectomy May Increase Mortality Risk

Anther good article which underscores the value of ovaries for women even at the age of 50 is:

Rational for Ovarian Conservation by Donna Shoupe MD

I am sure your doctor is aware of the controversy. For some reason as part of informed consent most don't share information that would give the information that may be critical in making "your" decision.

I too am a DES baby. DES is associated with clear cell adenocarcinomas of the vagina. Neither your hysterectomy or removal of your ovaries is going to affect this. Also I am told that most of the problems found following this drug exposure were in younger women. I am assuming that your fibroids are causing intractable problems and you have tried less invasive means to deal with them. If you haven't you might want to consider them. For many women fibroids shrink after menopause and cease being an issue. Major surgery for a problem which is likely to correct itself in a few years is poor advice. Be sure that you have had a second opinion from a doctor who is independent of yours and may have a different point of view to offer. I failed to do this and it is among my biggest regrets.

Pearle,
I went to those sites, they are very informative. There is just so much to read on everything, I am feeling overwhelmed! My dr. did explain to me what could happen with DES daughters, I am aware of that. I have fibroids, bleeding, my mom & sister both had Hysterectomies for precancerous conditions. I do not want to take a chance. But I still need to think about the ovary & whether or not the stay in or come out. That site was very helpful, makes me think that I may want to keep them.
How long ago did you have your TAH?

s honeys

Tough, tough decision. I had my TAH back in 2001 and because of my age (40), I kept my ovaries. In 2004 I was diagnosed with advanced stage ovarian cancer. I am now in my 2nd round of treatment, as the cancer has reoccured.

Is there any history of breast or ovarian cancer in your family? Granted, ovarian ca occurs in only about 1 in 60 women, but family history is important. Most people will tell you to leave healthy organs if possible.

I wish you the best in making this most difficult decision.