Anyone refused a bilateral oophorectomy?

[nowtygaffer]

Hi I have recently been diagnosed with a large ovarian cyst. I am 49 years of age. CA125 came back normal. MRI and US also look as if nothing sinister. The gynaecologist wants to remove cyst and tubes and ovaries. I do not want to have the operation as I am concerned about long term implications of loss of ovaries. The gynaecologist was quite dismissive of their function at my age. There is family history of strokes and heart disease.

I’m having this operation in August, I too have cysts. I was told I could watch and wait so I see no reason why you shouldn’t do that except that the chance of the cysts turning cancerous is eradicated after the op.
I’m ten years older than you and those bits of me have served their purpose. My older son and his father in law are both GPs and they both thought the operation was a good shout which helped me to feel confident about my decision.
Good luck.

Thanks Lentil63. Hope your op goes well. I hate being a woman sometimes! Men have it so much easier! 😀

after the menopause the ovaries produce only male hormones which the body converts to oestrogen, but in tiny amounts. maybe you could take oestrogen replacement or hormone replacement post surgery. personally id be glad to get rid of them as ovarian cancer is the most horrendous disease and as long as they remain the risk is there however slight

I had the op after being diagnosed with breast cancer at 36 and finding I had the BRCA2 gene. It hasn't been easy but I was in a completely different position to you and you will presumably be able to take HRT.

I've worked in a hospice the nurses said that they would have ovaries removed because of the patients they treat that didn't. HRT for a short time does help. You're being foolish and I say this kindly

I asked about this before I had my hysterectomy ( also massive fibroid) and was told that they wouldn't want to have to go in twice if anything removed tested negatively. I suppose that makes sense and didn't see the point in hanging on to them. I did have a horrible surgical menopause though afterwards and am now on HRT which has been great.

I had a large and very painful cyst removed when I was 48. I also had one of my ovaries and both tubes removed at the same time, so one ovary left as my surgeon said the ovarian cancer risk is in the tubes and I may as well keep the one ovary that wasn’t affected. I’m now on HRT anyway at 51. I’d have the operation but maybe keep the ovary that’s not affected if possible.

I recently had the opposite - hysterectomy but left just my ovaries!

When we discussed ovaries I was told they'd die within 5 years (a average) because they don't have a blood supply. Which put me about 47 when I have the menopause which they say is lowest age it's considered within normal range.

So at 49 I'd say the surgeon is probably looking at it how mine did. They won't have a long term function but there is an increased risk if they are left.

Fwiw if my ovaries looked unhealthy during surgery the consultant was going to remove them because of the risk of raised CA125 and my mum died of peritoneal cancer which comes from same as ovarian and hers was always raised.

Thank you everyone for taking the time to reply. I completely understand those saying get rid because of a risk of ovarian cancer. I'm just not sure whether that risk outweighs the heart disease, stroke risk etc. Maybe HRT is the answer?

Thank you everyone for taking the time to reply. I completely understand those saying get rid because of a risk of ovarian cancer. I'm just not sure whether that risk outweighs the heart disease, stroke risk etc. Maybe HRT is the answer?

You're only having one removed though, yes? I had a huge cyst removed in my mid 40's. The other left as normal. My periods continued regularly as clockwork, and I am now 56 and still having regular periods. So the removal of one ovary did little to alter my body. The other ovary took over very effectively.

I have just started HRT, but only for minor symptoms. Ovulating and periods still going regularly.

Hi BigWoollyJumpers. No it's both ovaries and tubes. I wonder if I can request the removal of just the affected ovary?

You'll start het from the op because it'll be considered surgical menopause.

I don't see why not. Why does your surgeon want to take both?? Unless you have family history of breast and/or ovarian cancer, there doesn't seem a good reason.

No history of breast or ovarian cancer. History of strokes on my mum's side of women in their early 60s. I've signed the consent form for the removal of both so not sure where that leaves me!

At your age, I wouldn't hesitate. They serve no purpose now. I'm lucky, I had a scan recently and mine have shrivelled away, so no risk of ovarian cancer. My uterus has shrunk to nothing. I'm a few years past menopause. Why keep something that could be a potential risk? My colleague had ovarian cancer and lasted a year leaving three school age DC.

Thanks WarmJuly. I am very sorry to hear about your colleague. I have a friend whose mum died of ovarian cancer in her 50s. It really is a horrible cancer. I suppose I'm just trying to weigh up the risks of that or the risks of a stroke or heart disease in the future.

I've missed the bit about increased stroke and heart disease? Are you referring to HRT?

SkeletonFight, the increased stroke and heart disease risk is from the ovary removal.

I had one ovary, a cyst & both tubes removed, you can refuse to consent to both ovaries being removed.

Thank you Nat6999, I think I will see if that is an option for me.

Ah ok and that is because of your age I understand?

Yes I think so. But only from what I've read on here and on Internet! I really have no idea what to do for the best.