Decision to remover ovaries

[maureyangel]

I'm a 47 year old women with ductal carsinoma insitu who has decided to follow the recomendation of my breast surgeon and have a mastectomy.  My mother passed away at 52 from cancer originating in the ovaries.  While I'm waiting for results from the gene test, I'm trying to decide if the gene test comes back negative, should I have my ovaries removed prophlactically(spelling?)?  (If I test positive I will definately have them removed.)

I have 2 children and really have no need for my ovaries.  I would like to know more about how difficult surgical menoopause would be to tolerate.  Is it really that much more intense?  Are the hot flashes, etc, 10 times more difficult? more prolonged? More intense? last longer/ how many years??

Just trying to weigh the factors as I lean toward having my ovaries removed as the same time that the mastectomy and reconstruction are performed.

[butterfly72977]

I am 26 years old and had my ovaries removed.  I had one removed when I was 12 years old, and I had the other one removed last week.  I immediately began experiencing menopausal side efffects.  I was advised to take hormone replacement therapy.  The hormones have definitely helped.  I was waking up 8-10 times a not with hot flashes.  Now I a waking up 1 or 2 times a night.  Unfortunately I was not given a choice about the oopherectomy, but overall I am dealing with it the best I can.  I do have to focus on osteoporosis with this and also breast exams since they contribute to menopause.  I am taking calcium along with hormones to ensure further complications will not occur.  From experience I have learned that this type of problem will continue to occur if drastic measures are not taken.  After multiple surgeries it was inevitable to have the ovary removed.  I do still have my uterus, which allows me to take hormones.  Best of Luck!!!

[goldfiber]

I had surgically induced menopause at 47 two years ago, and yes it came on quite suddenly, in the hospital the day after surgery I got my first hot flash.  All in all, I didn't think that the whole process was that bad, nothing like I expected.  It has been quite tolerable.