ovary question

I have a question, ladies-

My pre-op isn't till the afternoon before my surgery (Tuesday), so I can't ask my doc, and I can't find the anwer anywhere on the net. Perhaps you all can help me!

I'm keeping my ovaries, but I don't understand how they will continue to function after being severed from the uterus... where does the blood supply come from? Are they attached elsewhere or will they float around?

I 'preciate your help!

There is a wide band of connective tissue called the broad ligament that stretches across, and the ovaries are firmly attached to that (if you Google "broad ligament" you will find some very good drawings). Not sure about the blood vessels, I think sometimes the blood supply may get temporarily disrupted but normally they should keep on working.

Here is a link that might help answer your question: http://www.bartleby.com/107/illus1161.html. You will see that the broad ligament is a major means of support for the ovaries!

As I understand it, most of the blood supply does not come from the uterus, but some does, and that is why in a small percentage of cases the ovaries fail after hysterectomy--decreased blood supply. But enough comes from elsewhere that most women's ovaries continue to function...particualrly if they were not close to menopause to start with.

I had a PH on 2/19 and kept my ovaries and cervix. I had similar Qs to yours. Dr. told me that because the uterus has been removed the hormones are released directly into the blood stream.

Hi NoMoPro You asked a very good question! There are two potential blood supplies to the ovaries: the uterine artery and the ovarian artery. Women differ on how much of the ovaries' blood supply comes from each:

http://www.tubal.org/OvarianBloodSupply.htm

Your ovaries may or may not continue to function after the uterus is removed. Hopefully you will be lucky and they will still work - or, at worst, they may shut down for a little while and then start working again as they reestablish sufficient blood supply. But it's a good idea to have a plan in mind just in case you start having symptoms of menopause.

Usually the ovaries are attached to the broad ligament; however, occasionally one or both will move around. The little buggers can actually travel a fair distance around the pelvis, making them occasionally hard to spot on ultrasounds and causing ultrasound techs' hearts to skip a beat.

I hope this helps. Good luck with your surgery!

s,
-Linda

OK, here's weird question. How would I know that my ovaries aren't 'hooked' up if I don't present signs of menopause. Do they need to be removed if they aren't working?
Thanks everyone and take care!

Blood tests for hormone levels should tell your doctor.

I asked my doc that too, I wondered if maybe I would occasionally need to have the hormone levels measured and he said don't worry - you'll know. But so far, so good, I haven't had any symptoms (yet). At any rate I don't see why they would ever be removed just because of not functioning, only if they were causing you problems.

Thanks surferbabe, my doc didn't mention that sometimes ovaries like to go swimming, that's interesting. We're all so different in so many ways, even under the surface!

If the ovaries stop working, you will definitely know. Surgical menopause can be quite intense for some women. If your DR doesn't believe you (yes, it happens), you can request an FSH test. It's a simple blood test which shows whether or not the ovaries are working without going to the trouble of measuring levels of all the sex hormones (estrogen, progesterone, testosterone), which fluctuate in a monthly cycle anyway. FSH is a pituitary hormone whose job is to be a messenger that tells the ovaries to make more estrogen. If they don't, the pituitary makes more FSH; so a high FSH level means the ovaries aren't pulling their weight.

If the ovaries stop working, they don't have to be removed - it's just like women in natural menopause in that way. They'd only have to be removed if they become diseased later on - doesn't happen that often, but it can happen.

Good questions!

s,
-Linda