Reasons to keep one ovary?

I will be having both ovaries removed on Thursday. I'm still not quite sure how I got from one Doc just talking about removing one ovary to scheduling surgery with the second doctor to have both ovaries removed.

The lab results show my hormone levels as being in the post menopausal range. The doctor said I won't need to take any type of HRT after the ovaries are removed.

I've been reading on the net that women with both ovaries removed are more prone to having bone density loss, and that frightens me because I've already shown some signs of this.

Things seem to have changed so much in my life over the last 2 years that it makes me wonder if stress caused my body to cycle out of control.

Is there any reason to keep one ovary if it's healthy?

Hi,
I am new to HS, just jointed a fewminutes ago. I am scheduled for surgery on Monday (11/17). I am 45 and will be keeping at least one ovary. The other has a large cyst that won't go away so they may or may not take the ovary with the cyst, it depends on how it looks. I guess the benefit of removing both would be that you will not have to worry about getting Ovarian Cancer. If you are post-menopausal it shouldn't make much difference hormonally, I would think? I am preimenopiuasal so my doc recommended keeping at least the one.
Good Luck! I am getting VERY NERVOUS.
)

Actually, if you're not at high risk for ovarian cancer, it's usually best to try to keep one or both ovaries if you can.

Removing both ovaries does not remove the risk of ovarian cancer, but it does cut it way down.

Being naturally postmenopausal pre-surgery does not mean you will not have symptoms. Some women do and some don't. The ovaries do continue to trickle out small amounts of useful hormones even postmenopausally, and if the ovaries are removed you will not have the benefit of those. It will then be extra-important to use either HRT or other meds to help you maintain bone mass; the rate of bone loss post-ovary removal is highest in that first post op year. Most of us have DEXA scans every year or two to monitor our bone mass to make sure we are doing enough to keep our bones healthy.

HRT can be very expensive - if you have the option to obtain the hormones you need naturally at no cost, that would seem a good thing to do.

Best of luck in whatever you decide to do.

s,
-Linda

Both ovaries and fallopian tubes were removed yesterday. The doctor said the mass I had on the ovary was a brennon tumor.

I'm pretty sore today however as long as I don't walk fast or stand up straight I can manage. The doctor gave me pain pills but I'm trying not to take them if I don't have to. I still have a headache that I've had since yesterday.

Now the doctor is talking about putting me on HRT depending on what's going on in 2 weeks when I have my follow up appointment scheduled. In the mean time I'll do some research on the pro's and cons since my mom had breast cancer and I was told I should never take HRT.

I'm still planning on returning to work Monday.

Wow, glad it went so well. I had some complications in the hospital (Morphine made my heart stop and I blacked out)and had to stay an extra day and then came home with a 102 fever and should have gone to ER that night, but I was too sick to go. I had diahrrea so bad tat I lost 4 lbs between the time I got home wed afternoon and 7 the next morning. Went to the doc yesterday, fell better today and actually slept almost 5 hours straight last night! Yay!
I am supposed to go to the doc at one week and then again at the two week mark.

Today, I am up and about the house a bit and the nausea has decreased so I've eaten a little. But, my energy is great! ) I expect BIG thing over the weekend.. I am ususally the high energy fun gal and am ready to be back again!

I wish you a continuned awesome recovery!
Take Care

I had blood clots so hormones is no longer an option for me. I kept both of my ovaries for 1) my sanity & 2) the bone density problem you brought up. Estrogen helps offset this problem so keep your ovaries if there is nothing wrong with them. The good they do far out ways the odds of ovarian cancer. Which, BTW, you can still get even if you don't have your ovaries anymore. It can develop in what's left. I had a long discussion with my OB on this subject & we agreed keeping them was the better choice.

Good luck!

Take it easy and rest/recover. Headache can come from stress and anethesia. I usually get a migraine either before or after surgery.

Please talk to a gyn-oncologist regarding hormone replacement wiith your family history. I know nothing about this specifically, but I have learned, in my long medical history, that specialists are just that: SPECIALISTS. They really do know their stuff and keep up on the latest and greatest. I have had my normal gyn and internist tell me something and truly believe it is the correct advice, but then the specialist suggests something different. Do a consult with a gyn-onc regarding your breast cancer family history. Then you can have a clear perspective on what to do next.

Good luck,

CC

Nov. 17 I was suppose to have a lavh but turned into a abdominal with removal of one ovary due to endometriosis. I wanted to keep one ovary. I am 44 and have 2 sisters that have had breast cancer(estragen driven). After talking to friends and family that have had ovaries removed and the probelms going totally without hormones, I decided to roll the dice and keep my ovary. I guess I figured that if they took both ovaries I would not be a candidate for hrt. I don't want to go through hot flashes, dry skin, etc... If I can have one year or more with hormones it would be worth the risk. My aunt who also had breast cancer had a brac 1 and 2 and it was not familial. Hard choices....
PrincessCeCe