ovaries and uterus

I am  planning on having my ovaries removed because of ovarian cancer family history.  I am 50 so I am not concerned about kids anymore.  My doctor suggested I might want to consider having a hysterectomy at the same time.  I am trying to find out the benefits or the risks  of also having the hysterectomy.  I know the recoup time may be longer - but are there other reasons not to have the hysterectomy also?

[Annekathryn Goodman, M.D.]

Hi There
if your have any family history of uterine cancer or a personal history of abnormal pap smears, abnormal bleeding, pelvic pain, endometriosis, or pelvic infection
then removing the uterus makes sense
otherwise, usually just removing the ovaries and fallopian tubes is fine
best wishes