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Tired, Depressed, and Sad After Losing Left Ovary

Hello,

In November of 2019, I had surgery to remove a very large (30 cm! nearly 15 lbs.), benign, fluid filled cyst on my left ovary. During surgery, I also lost my left ovary and tube. I was 37 years old at the time of my surgery. I am an average size woman. (5ft. 6in. tall, and I weighed about 130 lbs. after surgery.)

Ever since then, (a year and a half later) I’ve had extreme difficulty getting up in the morning. I’m also depressed in ways I was not before having surgery. I’m also gaining weight without changing my diet, I’m losing a lot of hair (I’ve always had thicker hair), and my skin has become much drier. (I’ve always had more oily type skin.) I’ve felt like I lost a part of myself, and I just cry and cry for hours sometimes.

I had my thyroid checked and it is normal. Is there anything you can recommend for symptoms like these after losing an ovary from a benign, ovarian cyst?

Thank you for your time and help!


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Avatar universal
COMMUNITY LEADER
I am so sorry this happened to you. I also developed a large ovarian cyst but my gynecologist (needlessly) removed all my sex organs. I developed all the same problems as you and more. Since, in my case, it was obvious that my symptoms were from the loss of ovarian hormones, I persevered with getting enough estrogen to reduce or resolve symptoms.

I did consider taking an anti-depressant but since I had so many other symptoms of estrogen deficiency, I figured estrogen was the best solution. And once I got settled on the "right" form and dose for my body, the depression lifted and other symptoms improved greatly.  

Have you talked to your gynecologist about your symptoms? He/she should know that removal of an ovary can cause reduced ovarian hormones and the symptoms you're experiencing. If you still have your uterus you will need to take a progesterone along with estrogen to protect the lining from hyperplasia and cancer.  

You have suffered too long! You don't need to live this way. I will be happy to share more if you'd like. I wish you the best in getting help.
Helpful - 0
973741 tn?1342342773
Ahh, sweetie, I'm sorry I'm just seeing this. I'm sorry about the loss of your ovary and the subsequent symptoms of depression. Our  hormones can be very tied into  mood and losing an ovary will be immediate impact to hormones. Estrogen deficiency is what occurs from loss of an ovary.  And depression is common from premature estrogen deficiency.   This study talks about it (copy and paste into your web browswer) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6196781/   Depression is treatable though. Your doctor could visit the idea of hormone replacement.  But probably a better idea is treatment for depression that could be short term. An SSRI can be very beneficial at times like this.  If you and your doctor aren't opposed and agree.  I took prozac when I had low level depression caused by  a hormonal imbalance and a slow functioning thyroid.  I felt like a new person after starting the SSRI.  I was not on lit long term but it helped in the short term.  I'd talk to your doctor. I would say that in answer to your basic question, it is very likely that your depression is caused by the loss of the ovary.  
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