Having Hysterectomy, Doctor Suggested Ovary Removal

I had a hysterectomy this past July and I'm 34. I feel pretty good. i've noticed that the HRT's make me tired sometimes. But much better than dealing with the possibility of Cancer

K.

I had a complete Hysterectomy a year ago when I was 40 years old. I had many of the same concerns that you do. My doctor explained the risks of hormones, including that most of the risks come with older (55) women who use HRT. Don't forget, there are actual benefits of HRT (I can't remember it now, but I think it reduces your chance of breast cancer and something else).

I chose to have them removed. I do not regret it one bit!! I love being able to slap a patch on twice a week, that's it. The only problem I had was the patch that I started on (once a week) irritated my skin so I switched to a smaller twice a week patch. Other than that I had NO hot flashes or other symptoms that you might associate with it. In fact, it help me with my hormones as they were out of wack (terrible PMS) before the surgery.

Honestly, I had all these terrible expectations of what it would do to my body. None of them came true and I feel better than I have in years!! Good luck!!

I had total hysterectomy, and now am on bio-idnetical replacement and feel better than ever!
I am a mk director and one of my star consultants is a ob/gyn nurse and she told me there was no reason to keep it...would more than likely have to have it taken out later, more expense, I would be older...made sense to me and I have never regretted going that route.

I have had several friends who left them, either had to get them done later, or emotions never quite what should be.
L.
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I don't know where you live, but Baylor Irving's Cancer Center now does BRAC Analysis and they have a new genetic councilor. I would contact them to see if you can get a BRAC test done to determine your genetic predisposition to cancer. This might help with your decision to keep or remove that ovary.

I would seek a second opinion about your ovary. I know that removing ovaries increases your chances of heart disease considerably. Good luck to you!

I would try to keep the ovary if possible. I had the surgery done and had one ovary that was fine but opted to have it removed and use HRT. Did great but found a lump in the breast and it was cancer of the duct. My surgery was a lumpectomy. A suggestion would be to have blood work done in advance for the BRAC and use your gut feelings. Remember we can't tell you we can all suggest to you what to do. Good luck to you whatever you decide. The other S.

I had a complete hysterectomy in 2001 at age 40. I am on the HRT patch with NO REGRETS at all.

IT WAS THE BEST THING I EVER DID!!!!!!!!!!!

I had no complications, no swelly belly, no weight gain. I started the Vivelle dot patch for HRT at the hospital and never any issues with it. I am still on the same HRT.

The only side effect I've had has been positive...my perky 34C's popped to a perky 34DD+ thanks to hormone therapy. I feel better than I ever had, higher sex drive (free from dealing with pregnancy). I can't say enough positive things as far as how the surgery effected me.

When I was doing research, I came across this website that was extremely helpful www.hystersisters.com

It is a site much like this one but with women wo are thinking about the surgery, already had the surgery, HRT or no HRT. There are a lot of personal decisions and you can tell from my note here that i could not be happier.

You can hardly see my scar. Dr. Rovner did an excellent job. I was afraid to be knocked all the way out so I went with epidural for surgery and a light sedative. I had NO pain until they moved the pain pump the day after surgery and then I had a lot of pain for about 12-24 hrs at the hospital before everything got better.

This was SO worth it for me. Good luck on your decision and feel free to pm me if you have any questions.

I would be tested for the BRAC genes - they also predict your genetic potential for Ovarian Cancer. If you are negative, I would fight tooth and nail to save my ovary. Hormone treatment is FAR FROM EASY - and it carries a whole host of side effects with it. The words "the smallest effective dose for the least amount of time" come to mind. Prozac has shown some effectiveness with hot flashes though - both in severity and frequency.

Losing your ovary also immediately increases your risk of heart disease - which is one of the leading killers of women anyway. I would absolutely get a second - even third - opinion (From a doctor) before I followed through with a total hysterectomy.

JMO
S.

I was 6-7 years older than you when I had my hysterectomy and I let them take my ovaries. I began hormone replacement and had no hot flashes or any menopausal symptoms. It was wonderful! But after 5 years on HRT I began to worry about the long term effects. My doctor was NOT worried. I decided to go off of the HRT's anyway. When I went off I had to deal with the menopausal symptoms, but I have began herbal remedies that have helped.....not conquered, them. Do some internet research and ask other doctors. This is your decision alone and there is no clear answer. Some women I know have gone back to Hrt's after going off for awhile, etc...
Sorry if I confused you more, but for me it has not been a clear cut decision.

D.,

I have an option for estrogen replacement.

I have a botanically based skin care, health and wellness comapny.

We have a great natural horomone balancing cream. It comes in 2 forms. One includes estrogen herbs.

This helps with a number of symptoms including hot flashes, cramps, moodiness, night sweats and much more.

If you'd like more information, I can send it to you via email.

I wish you the best.

Take care and God bless!

M.
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