Aa
To get rid of both ovaries or save one...
Wow, this forum is just what I need!
I am 44 years old. I have four cysts on my left ovary, one of which is complex, and a solid cyst on my right ovary. My mother has Stage 3 ovarian cancer and had a double mastectomy at 33 years old. She is now 62 and one and a half years post surgery from the ovarian cancer. My hormone levels are normal but I have not had a cycle since 9/9/09.
I am in pain every day and on painkillers. Both the pain and painkillers are making working very difficult. I have seen a gyn onc. and he wants to perform a subtotal hystero, which means leaving only the cervix. I asked him to try and save my right ovary so I won't have to start on HRT as I'm afraid of the risk of breast cancer.
Part of me thinks I should just have both ovaries removed so I won't have to worry about cx of the ovaries in the future, and the other part of me knows that the lack of naturally produced estrogen affects about 100 different symptoms in our body.
I am completely open to any feedback and looking for feedback from a group like this who is familiar with the pain associated with this situation and the consequences. I've gotten a lot of negative feedback from friends who are telling me to get another doc because I should not have both ovaries removed at this age, but they also don't seem to grasp the intricacies of all the facts that are weighed into this decision and definitely don't seem to understand that constant pain can wear down a person.
Would love to hear any input!
Thanks,
Cindy
I am 44 years old. I have four cysts on my left ovary, one of which is complex, and a solid cyst on my right ovary. My mother has Stage 3 ovarian cancer and had a double mastectomy at 33 years old. She is now 62 and one and a half years post surgery from the ovarian cancer. My hormone levels are normal but I have not had a cycle since 9/9/09.
I am in pain every day and on painkillers. Both the pain and painkillers are making working very difficult. I have seen a gyn onc. and he wants to perform a subtotal hystero, which means leaving only the cervix. I asked him to try and save my right ovary so I won't have to start on HRT as I'm afraid of the risk of breast cancer.
Part of me thinks I should just have both ovaries removed so I won't have to worry about cx of the ovaries in the future, and the other part of me knows that the lack of naturally produced estrogen affects about 100 different symptoms in our body.
I am completely open to any feedback and looking for feedback from a group like this who is familiar with the pain associated with this situation and the consequences. I've gotten a lot of negative feedback from friends who are telling me to get another doc because I should not have both ovaries removed at this age, but they also don't seem to grasp the intricacies of all the facts that are weighed into this decision and definitely don't seem to understand that constant pain can wear down a person.
Would love to hear any input!
Thanks,
Cindy
If it were me they would both come out. Ovarian cancer can still run in a family even without being positive for the gene. You are very close anyway. Better safe than sorry. Please let us know how it goes.
Hormonally, no change. I had already completed a natural menopause. Losing ovaries made no noticeable difference in how I felt post-op. In fact, I feel better without them because my cyst was having an adverse affect on hormone output. I had a BSO (both ovaries/tubes removed but uterus/cervix remains).
I suppose if you lost both ovaries you could use HRT patches for awhile until closer to a menopause age. HRT is more risky for those that continue to take it well beyond the menopause years, trying to avoid the natural process of aging.
The easiest solution perhaps is to retain one ovary, but be mindful you still have to keep close watch on it for new cyst development and the family ovarian cancer risk, and it could mean future surgery to remove that one as well. Hopefully not.
I suppose if you lost both ovaries you could use HRT patches for awhile until closer to a menopause age. HRT is more risky for those that continue to take it well beyond the menopause years, trying to avoid the natural process of aging.
The easiest solution perhaps is to retain one ovary, but be mindful you still have to keep close watch on it for new cyst development and the family ovarian cancer risk, and it could mean future surgery to remove that one as well. Hopefully not.
MarieMichele,
do you mind sharing your post op experience as far as hormonally? Did you or do you take an HRT?
We are awaiting the results of a BRCA 1 and 2 genetic test on my mother. If she tests positive for either or both, my decision is very clear to me. The fact that my hormone levels are "nowhere near menopause" (doc's words) is what gives me pause on getting rid of both.
I must say, this pain is horrendous, and the waiting is just unbearable. My surgery isn't until the 11th.
Would love to hear about your post hysto experiences.
Thanks so much for sharing.
Sincerely,
Cindy
do you mind sharing your post op experience as far as hormonally? Did you or do you take an HRT?
We are awaiting the results of a BRCA 1 and 2 genetic test on my mother. If she tests positive for either or both, my decision is very clear to me. The fact that my hormone levels are "nowhere near menopause" (doc's words) is what gives me pause on getting rid of both.
I must say, this pain is horrendous, and the waiting is just unbearable. My surgery isn't until the 11th.
Would love to hear about your post hysto experiences.
Thanks so much for sharing.
Sincerely,
Cindy
I had my last period (completed menopause) naturally at age 46. You are getting close to the time when ovaries would shut down anyway. Both my ovaries were removed 1 month prior to my 49th birthday and I feel great.
Doctors do not try very hard to save ovaries when a woman is no longer in family planning mode. It is possible ovaries cannot be saved due to damage from cysts and/or damage that could be the result of surgery to remove cysts. Be prepared for the possibility. Triggering surgical menopause now (without HRT) might be the end result.
You can insist on them saving at least one ovary (if possible), but cysts can return, requiring more surgery in the future, often more complex due to adhestions/scar tissue from the prior surgery. One ovary is enough to delay menopause. On the other hand, with the ovarian cancer family history, I would be inclined to have them removed. But that's me. There is no perfect answer, just a set of choices.
These are very personal decisions. Go with your instincts. I am sorry you are going through this and I hope all turns out well for you.
Doctors do not try very hard to save ovaries when a woman is no longer in family planning mode. It is possible ovaries cannot be saved due to damage from cysts and/or damage that could be the result of surgery to remove cysts. Be prepared for the possibility. Triggering surgical menopause now (without HRT) might be the end result.
You can insist on them saving at least one ovary (if possible), but cysts can return, requiring more surgery in the future, often more complex due to adhestions/scar tissue from the prior surgery. One ovary is enough to delay menopause. On the other hand, with the ovarian cancer family history, I would be inclined to have them removed. But that's me. There is no perfect answer, just a set of choices.
These are very personal decisions. Go with your instincts. I am sorry you are going through this and I hope all turns out well for you.
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