Ovaries: stay or go?

Hi, My surgery is set for Feb 15th. At this time I'm set to have a TAH and taking the ovaries, But I here this from some womenthat say take them and others that say I wish I had left them. I just would love to here from some of you both ways, I know everyone is different. But still hearing from several sources that have lived it I can then look at all the +/- and in doing so calm down some of the nervous, but still scared to death. Never had any kind of surgery so I'm stressing pretty bad. Thanks

Hi Channon,

I was 46 when I had my hyst for fibroids also. I decide to keep my ovaries since they were healthy and ovarian cancer does not run in my family. I wanted to go through natural menopause if I was a candidate. I am 3 yrs post-op now and my ovaries are still working great.

The ovaries secrete important hormones that help with the bones, skin and hair - to name a few. And newer studies are showing that the ovaries secrete hormones well into menopause. And the hormones are *free*. An added plus.

If you just have fibroids, you might consider keeping the ovaries. If a Hyster Sister has endo and/or reoccurring cysts, then there can be a higher chance of post-op ovary removal. I felt with fibroids only I was again a good candidate to keep my ovaries.

Ovarian cancer runs in approx. 5% or less of women. That leaves approx. 95% of women who do not get ovarian cancer. Why remove healthy ovaries to prevent something that might *never* happen?? That was my thinking in pre-op.

Sending best wishes~

Mary

Many women have to make the decision as to whether or not to keep their ovaries. We have several threads here in the Pre Op section asking about this topic. And there is no "one size fits all" answer.

We do have a couple articles you might helpful:
Keep Ovaries?
Keep Ovaries? Keep one or both?

I chose to keep my ovaries as I was only 25. My doctor and I felt I needed hormones for my cardiovacular system, bone health, libido, skin, etc., and HRT for 25+ years didn't seem to be the wisest choice.

Talk to your doctor. Talk to your GP. Seek a second opinion. Do your research and decide what is best for you!

I'm losing both of my ovaries because they are the culprits in my body! I say keep em if you can!

	Quote:
Originally Posted by historylady Ovarian cancer runs in approx. 5% or less of women. That leaves approx. 95% of women who do not get ovarian cancer. Why remove healthy ovaries to prevent something that might *never* happen?? That was my thinking in pre-op.

I totally agree with ((historylady)). I had no sinister family history and was only in my early 40s. The 'deal' I had with my Surgeon was to leave them if they looked healthy.

Good luck.

	Quote:
Originally Posted by pooodle I totally agree with ((historylady)). I had no sinister family history and was only in my early 40s. The 'deal' I had with my Surgeon was to leave them if they looked healthy.

I'm another in agreement. Mine looked healthy, so two weeks after my surgery they're still in there.

My cervix is gone because of a history of dysplasia, otherwise that would have stayed also.

That grossly distorted uterus and rogue fibroids are all history!!!

Leave up to your Dr to go in and look around.. if they look healthy, no family history of cancer.. i would keep them too.

Mine are going due to family history.

I decided to leave the ovaries, but when they got inside, the left one was a total mess. They spent a half hour trying to see if it could be saved but it was beyond help. My right one still seems to be working away- no hot flashes or other menopause symptoms- so I'm happy with my decision.
If they're healthy, I think it's better to let them be. That's only my humble opinion of course- I know quite a few ladies that had them removed and would do it again in a minute.
Wishing you well,
Kimberley

I had a hard time making this decision, too. But I kept mine, because they were healthy, and I wanted the free hormones for as long as I could have them. My main reason to take them out would've been to avoid a future surgery.(But I ended up with one anyway from a different problem!) So, you never know. My 70 year old mom had a hyst in her 30's and just had her ovaries out this year, so they served her well for a long time!

Thanks for input. You are all saying things I've been thinking about. My Doc is saying under 40 he likes to leave them and over 40 he recomends taking them, because you are close to menopause and there is a 10- 15% chance you could have problems and have to go back and have them taken later. But the way I see it that means there is a 85-90% chance you won't have problems . Currently set to have them taken but really thinking of changing that to only if they aren't healthy when he gets in there. MRI and ultrasound show that they are normal. So monday I guess I'll be calling and discussing some more stuff with Doc!!