Ovaries should they stay or should they go?

I posted this earlier and nobody has answered me. I really need some advice. I have endometriosis. I may have a hysterectomy. My Dr. said I should have both ovaries removed, because leaving one that still produces hormones (which aggrivate the endo) defeats the purpose. Has anyone have endo and had one ovary left in? I really need some help here!

Hi, Pdevil,

There's no right or wrong answer to your question. Doctors don't know what causes endometriosis, and they don't know for sure how estrogen affects endometriosis. It's an opinion question.

Some doctors recommend no hormone replacement therapy for women with endo, after a hysterectomy. Others recommend waiting for a set period of time before starting HRT. And other doctors start women with endo on HRT immediately after a hyst. Some doctors recommend keeping one or both ovaries. Others recommend removing the ovaries.

Some women who keep one or both ovaries do very well. Others experience ovarian pain, and choose to have their ovary/ovaries removed later, as a second surgery.

What's a woman to do?

Your doctor knows you best, and I'm not a doctor. If you question your doctor's advise, please consider getting a second medical opinion. It's always a good idea to get at least two medical opinions before having surgery, anyway.

I chose to have my ovaries removed. I was 47 when I had my hysterectomy. I've done very well on HRT, and I'm happy with my choice. I had endometriosis, and the estrogen I'm taking doesn't seem to have caused any problems. But that's just me.

It's a tough decision, and you're wise to get all of the information you can, before making your choice. Good luck!

Best wishes,
Helen

((Pdevil)),
It is a hard desicion exp when dealing with Endo Helen gave you some wonderful advice...
Mine would be to research all the pro's & con's of both options, discuss what you have learned with your Dr, then you can make a well-informed desicion on what you think is best for you We are all so different, what is best for one isnt always for another. Many of us who've had the same symptoms, DX & surgery all have different outcomes...Here is some info on Endo, that is very informative, it might provide you with some better insight to help with your decision:

http://www.centerforendo.com/QandA.htm
www.endometriosistreatment.org
http://www.drcook.com/ Dr. Andrew Cook
http://www.endometriosistreatment.o.../reprints1.html
http://www.womenssurgerygroup.com/c...is/overview.asp
http://www.usdoctor.com/endo.htm
http://www.reutershealth.com/wellconnected/doc74.html
http://www.womens-health.com/
http://www.endometriosistreatment.or...question1.html
http://www.gynsecondopinion.com/endometriosis.htm
http://www.lifesciences.napier.ac.uk...iosis/doc1.htm
http://www.obgyn.net/cfm/endo.cfm?ID=5243
http://www.angelfire.com/mi/jenneybean/
http://homepage.psy.utexas.edu/homep...terectomy.html
http://s.ivillage.com/health/lnav/en...166045,00.html
http://boards.ivillagehealth.com/cgi...ards/bhendomet

Endo support:
http://www.endo-online.org/family.html
http://www.geocities.com/fightendo/treat.html

recurring Endo-Q&A:
http://www.pelvicpain.com/adca4.html
http://www.endometriosis1.com/indexj.html
http://www.angelfire.com/fl/endohystnhrt/resource.html
http://www.hystersisters.com/vb2/sho...threadid=81855
http://forums.obgyn.net/forums/women...0202/1958.html
http://www.angelfire.com/fl/endohystnhrt/resource.html
http://www.hystersisters.com/vb2/sho...ne+Bend+Oregon
http://www.hystersisters.com/vb2/sho...ne+Bend+Oregon



Surgical Procedures for Endo:
http://www.reproductivecenter.com/radical.html
http://www.universityobgyn.com/laparosc.htm
http://www.umm.edu/surgery-info/methods.htm
http://www.kenes.com/cogibook1999/Me...rine_Bleeding-
_Does_Hysterectomy_Still_Have_a_Place_in_Modern_Management.html
http://www.gyndr.com
http://www.reproductivecenter.com/radical.html
http://www.drdeljuncojr.com/surgicalprocedure.html
http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/...do-study_x.htm
http://www.kumc.edu/instruction/medi...endometr4.html

Endo Specialists & Resources:

http://www.hcgresources.com/resources.htm
http://www.geocities.com/friday_sfws/ind.htm
http://www.endoangels.com/links.html
http://www.lupron.com/

Painful Signs of Endometriosis Should Be Taken Seriously:
http://www.nytimes.com/2002/07/09/he...th/09BROD.html

Nerve-sparing Hysterectomy:
http://www.newshe.com/articles/hysterectomy_3.shtml
If you are facing surgery:
http://www.gynsecondopinion.com/surgery.htm
http://health.discovery.com/converge...y/surgery.html
When deciding if or not to retain Ovaries, some things to consider~
Surgical Menopause:
http://www.hormonejungle.com/privacy.htm
http://www.hormonejungle.com/
http://womenshealth.about.com/cs/surgicalmenopause/
http://www.surgimenopause.com/
http://www.helioshealth.com/menopause/surgical.html
http://www.menopausehysterectomy.com/Menopause.htm
http://health.yahoo.com/health/encyc.../000894/0.html
http://www.project-aware.org/Experience/premature.shtml
http://webmd.lycos.com/content/article/1680.50792
http://my.webmd.com/content/dmk/dmk_article_5963052
http://members.tripod.com/fiona_51/faq.html
http://www.surgimenopause.com/NoFrames/surgi_4.html
http://www.hystersisters.com/surg.php
[HRT: The Whole Story:
http://health.discovery.com/centers/...hrt_whole.html

The role of ovarian hormones upon brain:
http://www.bbsonline.org/Preprints/O...bbs.fitch.html

Old Ovaries-still of value?
http://www.hystersisters.com/vb2/sho...threadid=10987
Ovaries:
http://s.ivillage.com/health/lnav/ov...416874,00.html

Good Luck, pls know my thots & prayers are with you!
(((hugs)))