ovaries (remove or not to remove)?!

I just found this site last night and have been frantically reading information today. I am scheduled for an abdominal hysterectomy on May 2nd. I have several fibroids, one of which is between the size of a baseball and a softball. I have been advised that because I suffer from migraine headaches, that I should have everything (including my tubes and ovaries) removed and go on a low, constant dose of estrogen. I am only 41 years old and am having a very difficult time making this decision. Can anyone offer me advise on whether to keep or remove my ovaries. My headaches are currently under control with my birth control pills and I have been told that I could leave my ovaries and remain on the pill (even though I won't need it for birthcontrol but rather headaches). I am nervous about the physical changes I will feel as a result of having my ovaries removed. Please advise!

I was 54 at the time of my tah/bso and no choice about my ovaries. They had to be removed because of precancerous tumors. I will say that if I'd have had a choice, I'd have opted to keep them. My thinking is - why remove healthy organs? I realize that it is a personal decision, one that should be made after research and discussion with your dr about all the pros and cons. Then make the decision that is best for you.

Best wishes.

S

I agree with jeanus, why remove something if it's not "broken". I'm 45 and one week post op from LSH. I gave the doctor permission before surgery to remove the ovaries if there was a problem but everything was still good and working properly. I would like to receive all the benefits they provide before and after menopause for as long as possible. Obviously the best person to advise you based on any medical history is your doctor. Good luck!

Do either of you two currently suffer from migraines or have you ever suffered from them? I saw a second doctor who agrees with the first in that neither would suggest removing my ovaries unless I feel my migraines are bad enough to warrent it...Tough decision, but I am currently leaning towards not having them removed.

No, sorry, have never suffered from migraines. Maybe some other ladies can give their experiences for you.

Hi Watsonkuhn and welcome to this wonderful site!!! I'm 45 years old and had a TVH with everything removed. Didn't have any signs of cancer but my dr and I agreed to remove the ovaries because ovarian cancer runs rampant thru my family tree. He said if they weren't removed, chances were that we'd be doing it again in 5 years or so. I had migraines right after my surgery and dr said that it was due to the hormone imbalance. He put me on HRT at 2 weeks and I continued to have them until it finally kicked in. I rarely have them now. I would talk with you dr and if there isn't ovarian cancer in your family history, I would recommend trying to keep the ovaries if at all possible.

Best wishes

Wendy

I had migraines often before my surgery, and now am on HRT. The only time I have come close to having a migraine since my surgery was when I forgot the HRT, and I experienced the aura before the headache. So, HRT can control your migraines IF they are indeed caused by hormone fluctuations. However, you do need to be aware that some women have experienced their migraines getting worse, and there is no way of knowing ahead of time which category you will fall in.

Another thing to consider is that our ovaries continue producing estrogen for the rest of our lives, protecting our bones and heart (among other things) and they do this at no additional cost to you. They also are able to provide you with just the exact amount of estrogen you need at just the exact time you need it. HRT is a steady dose. Some days I have hot flashes and headaches because I am more active and need more, while other days I am less active and experience symptoms of too much estrogen. I didn't have choice, my ovaries had to go. However, knowing what I know now, if I had been given a choice I would definitely keep them as long as I wasn't at higher risk for ovarian or breast cancer.

One more consideration. Having an oopherectomy is a relatively simpler day surgery with a quicker recovery. If you keep your ovaries, and then later decide to have them removed ----then you will have that option. If however you have them removed now, and don't like the outcome you cannot put them back .

You are right to research. Keep reading, so you can make the best decision for you.

,
Kay

Hiya,

I have suffered from migraines since I was 11 (started menses at 10). After a few dozen tests or so, it was determined that they are most certainly hormone related. (along with some dietary issues) The frequency and level of my migraines has varied throughout the years, with having 3 or 4 a week to once a month when I was at my best weight, exercising regularly and really controlling my diet.

When all my mystery "female" stuff started a few years back, my migraines went on an all time binge. I was miserable. My doc and I tried all kinds of meds, and finally what helped was a beta blocker, that I still take twice daily. This is preventative. So far, nothing I have been given helps me once I actually get a headache- nothing holistic I've tried, and nothing synthetic.

I was on BC for some time to control the bleeding I was having, which was profound. (also causes severe headaches BTW) When I was just taking Progest, my headaches were worse. When on Estrogen, they were a little better, but not enough for me to consider taking it for the rest of my life. I decided to keep my ovaries, if they were healthy, and they were. Even if you keep them, you can still remain on BC at low doses if they really do help your headaches. I figured better to have the natural hormones for as long as I could. My doc was not completely behind this idea, btw, but I felt pretty strongly about it. If I have to have them removed later, so be it. I'll get what juice I can out of them though....lol.

Since my surgery, I've had a few migraines. Haven't noticed any change since before the surgery though. I have chosen NO HRT even though I am having some menopause symptoms, prefering holistic answers that are working for me until my ovaries wake the hec up.

The classic question- to keep or not to keep- the ovaries. I finally determined my answer the morning of the surgery. If you are not faced with unhealthy organs, or cancer- it is a hard decision. Read, read, read....and read some more. Go with your gut. Listen to YOUR body.

BTW- I am 42. Good luck to you in your journey,
Jean

Wow, a lot of helpful information. Does anyone have any helpful sites that I can read up on this info. I have been searching the internet, but what I find on one site as a positive to HRT I can find on another site as a negative to HRT. I am overwhelmed and frustrated! Can anyone help in directing me to a valid site? Kelly

I really think your best bet is to discuss this with your dr. Tell them about your fears of taking it for a long period of time. Ask questions. My dr. told me that we would like me off of the premarin in 1 year and then possibly going to something more holistic. That is really the best advice that I can give

Wendy