Ovaries...keep or remove???

I am having surgery 3/25 and am still confused about the ovaries. The main reason for hyster is fybroids, possibility of endo. But no doctor will give me a straight answer about the ovaries. I am 44 (45 in May) and have been on birth control for 6 yrs to control pms symptoms and bleeding. It's worked until this last year, now symptoms are returning, even on the pill.

The ovary advice that made the most sense was since I have been taking hormones already, and the ovaries function is diminished because of the pill, I might as well take them out. I just have heard horror stories of trying to balance the hormones afterwards. I don't like the thought of altering my normal body function that drastically. But I am also afraid that if I leave them, I will suffer with the pms, ovulation pain, food cravings..., and need hormones anyway.

Any thoughts, I would appreciate it!
Cyndi

Hi Cyndi!

This is a very important issue. So many of us have been faced with making this decision.

All I can really contribute here is my own experience. I did not have a choice to keep my ovaries, but if I had had the choice, I would have kept them.... even if it meant that they *may* (or may not!) need to come out later.

I've read about many gals who have told their DR to keep the ovaries intact unless one or both looked unhealthy or looked to be of potential peril. In some cases, there is no way a DR can know until s/he gets in there in surgery what condition the ovaries are in.

I hope you come to the decision you are most comfortable with, the one that is best for you personally.

((((((((HUGS)))))))

Hi Cyndi, It is a really difficult decision to make. I had mine removed because I had PCOS which had damaged mine. If they are healthy consider keeping them. It is true you may still suffer from PMS if you keep them. Some women do fine on HRT and some have a hard time finding the right combination. Spend some more time with your Dr. talking about the pros and cons of keeping your ovaries. Good luck on making your decision.

Hi,

I too opted to "wait and see what the doctors saw". In fact I was so sure that they were damaged, I was in shock when they told me they were "pristine"!

You could talk to your mom, if you are in contact. Usually the age that she started menopause is about the time you will. Give or take a few years. Mine was 55...so I knew to keep those ovaries unless they were damaged.

Good luck on your surgery! Talk to your doctor and if he doesn't give you the answers you are looking for, get a second opinion! I would rather be comfy with my doctor than worry about what he/she was going to do while I was out of it!

Sara

Thank you everyone for your input.....it really helps to hear all opinions! I do have to talk to my doctor more. I just want to be as informed as I can.

Thanks again, I will keep you posted of my progress.
Cyndi

Hi Cyndi,

I was 43 at the time of my hyst. I had hoped to keep both ovaries, but when the Dr opened me up, he saw that one of my ovaries had been ruined by adhesions, though the other one looked perfectly healthy. He left the healthy one in, and told me that one ovary could do the work of two.

Sure, it was a surprise to wake up with just one ovary, but sometimes Drs. don't know the whole story until they begin the surgery. I'm 45 now, and still doing great with just one ovary. Sure, I have a little PMS, but nothing too bad. For me, it's worth it to be able to make my own hormones, which are the best ones for me.

My very best to you...

Thank you Linda......I am thinking it is better to keep them if I can. If the PMS is really bad, I am sure there is something I can take to help it. Glad to hear everything worked well for you.
Cyndi

Thank you Linda......I am thinking it is better to keep them if I can. If the PMS is really bad, I am sure there is something I can take to help it. Glad to hear everything worked well for you.
Cyndi

Hi Cyndi,

My doctor and I discussed this yesterday. I have opted to keep my ovaries, even though I am 52, when I have my TAH on 3/28.

The surgeon explained the pros (1 in 70 women will develop ovarian cancer if they live a long life. As opposed to 1 in 8 for breast cancer) and the cons.... some women find that their libido decreases when their ovaries are removed with a hysterectomy.

I know that this is a personal decision that only you can make, since there really is no "right" answer. Spend some time evaluating the options and ask your doctor for some statistics. They could tip the scales for you one way or the other.

Good Luck!

Dear Sister Cyndi,
I'm close in age to you (45) so just thought I'd share my opinion. My doc told me that "age 40 and under - keep the ovaries; age 50 and over - take them out" So he very much left the decision up to me. I need to add that there really wasn't too much evidence of any problem with them. I opted for having them removed. I'm very glad with that decision as I'm now on Premarin .625 a day and am feeling better than I have in years! My thinning hair has reversed it's trend; my skin is not like a parched desert; my energy level has increased tremendously and on and on. I really feel that my ovaries were not functioning properly. Best wishes in your search for good health. It's a big decision and must be made individually. (By the way, it's GREAT TO BE A PRINCESS)!!!!