In menopause and having both ovaries removed

[Number4224]

I am in menopause or late stage peri menopause.

I have had endometriosis my whole adult life and am prone to ovarian cysts.

I saw my consultant today and she has put me on the list for surgery due to a sizeable dermoid ovarian cyst.
They are going to remove both ovaries.
I thought that would be best as I’m already going through menopause.
Now I’ve had a bit more time to think about it and I’m worried that although I am going through menopause, I’m coping ok without HRT. The only thing I’m really bothered by is hot flushes.
Am I suddenly going to get extreme mood swings? Will I start ageing quicker? Looking up online how I’m going to feel is frightening .
Has anyone had this done whilst going through natural menopause?
Should I ask them to only take the one ovary that has the cyst and leave the other (with the risk that I get cysts on that and require further surgery). And will they be ok with me changing my mind?

Thanks for reading.

Total hysterectomy and surgical menopause in my mid 40’s due to Endo. I had my first hot flush in hospital that night! Other than that I have been absolutely fine. In fact my moods/weight/skin/hair has all been a lot better since being on HRT that I was when I was suffering peri symptoms.

You can change your mind anytime at all. I was asked at least 3 times in the anaesthetic room before being wheeled in to the surgery to confirm what I was actually having removed.

Thank you so much for replying toohottoogreedy, you’ve really helped put my mind to rest.

I had a total hysterectomy at 36 due to ovarian cancer. I’ve only had hot flushes and some brain fog/memory issues. No mood swings and anything I can’t cope with drug free currently.

You should ask about keeping one ovary.
Surgical menopause is not fun.
You are likely to go into full blown meno symptoms straight away. Most women do, although others will say they are fine.
Sadly, too many surgeons have a cavalier attitude to women's menopausal status and decide if a woman is 50 ish they can whip everything out.

Depending on your age now, you should use HRT to age 51 at least (age of average menopause in the UK.)

You are only in peri now, not menopause. They define menopause as the date of your last period.

Just another thing @Number4224 Have the surgical/gynae team not discussed HRT?

You really ought not to be having all of this done without a plan for what happens next.

If you are in your 40s, you will need HRT to protect your bones and heart.
But the good news is that without a womb you will only need estrogen, which is not associated to any increase in breast cancer risks.

I had a total hysterectomy on the recommendation of my (female) surgeon. Had been suffering with lots of menopause symptoms pre op anyway, think weight gain has been my main new one. I started hrt post op and not sure it's helping much. She recommended both ovaries out as I was 46 and they wouldn't be of much use (never had been really) for much longer, so better out than in.

I had both ovaries removed at 51 on my consultants recommendation, as keeping them would mean a potential for ovarian cancer. I was still having regular monthly periods at this point.

Surgical menopause was actually fine, I did experience sweats and flushes, but was a whole !or easier than the symptoms of my monthly periods. Still not taking hrt, but was given the option to if I wanted it. I figured my body was better off without the hormones surging around and I am still fine four years later.

Reading through these replies, I think I’ll ask to keep my other ovary. I already struggle with mood swings but am coping - just. I don’t think I could handle it if they got any more severe.
Thank you to everyone that responded.

Sorry, forgot to say, I’m 48.
The consultant did say they’d start me on HRT immediately.

I had a total hysterectomy due to severe endo15 years ago and went straight into menopause. I tried everything the health food shop had for remedies and eventually went onto HRT. It was the best decision I have made and saved my life. The lack of sleep due to night sweats was dreadful and I wish I had started HRT the day after the Op as my specialist advised.

I now use HRT patches as I do several longhaul flights a year (NZ to UK) and the risk of DVT is lower. I have no intentions of stopping HRT ever.

Good Luck with whatever you decide.