Hysterectomy: Should I Also Have My Ovaries Removed?
Hysterectomy: Should I Also Have My Ovaries Removed?Skip to the navigationYou may want to have a say in this decision, or you may simply want to follow your doctor's recommendation. Either way, this information will help you understand what your choices are so that you can talk to your doctor about them. Hysterectomy: Should I Also Have My Ovaries Removed?Get the factsYour options- Have your uterus and
your ovaries removed (hysterectomy with oophorectomy).
- Have your uterus removed, but keep your ovaries (hysterectomy
only).
Key points to remember- The main reason doctors recommend removing the ovaries during
hysterectomy is to lower the risk of
ovarian cancer. Studies show that if you are at high
risk, surgery greatly lowers your risk.
- If you aren't at high
risk for cancer, having your ovaries removed isn't
recommended.
- It's important to know your risk for cancer when
deciding whether to have your ovaries removed during your hysterectomy. Your
doctor will help you find out your risk by talking to you about your medical
history and your family history. Removing the ovaries if you're at risk is a different decision than if you're not at risk.
- Removing the ovaries may increase
your risk of
heart disease and
osteoporosis.
- If you have your ovaries
removed before menopause, you will go into early menopause. You may get
hot flashes and other symptoms.
FAQs Surgery to remove the
ovaries is called oophorectomy (say "oh-uh-fuh-REK-tuh-mee"). The ovaries are
an important part of the
female reproductive system. They store eggs and produce sex hormones, including
estrogen. Of women who have a
hysterectomy, about half of them have their ovaries
removed at the same time.footnote 1 The main reason doctors
recommend removing the ovaries along with the uterus is to reduce the risk of
ovarian cancer. Studies show that if you are at high
risk, surgery greatly lowers your risk. For women
at average risk-this means no personal or family history of ovarian or breast
cancer-there is no clear benefit to removing the ovaries at any age.
Hysterectomy itself can reduce your risk of ovarian cancer.footnote 1 If you have severe
premenstrual syndrome (PMS), removing the ovaries can
stop hormone changes. This may help you feel better. If you are at
high risk for breast or ovarian cancer, having your
ovaries removed can greatly lower your risk. Women at high risk for these
cancers include those who: - Have a BRCA gene change (BRCA stands for
BReast CAncer).
- Have a family history of ovarian cancer before age
50.
If you don't know if you are at high risk for breast or
ovarian cancer, talk to your doctor. If your doctor thinks you could be at
risk, you may want to think about gene testing. When your ovaries are removed, you lose the estrogen that they produce.
Without estrogen, you will go into early menopause. This can cause hot flashes
and other symptoms. Having your ovaries removed before age 65 may
increase your chance of getting:footnote 1 - Osteoporosis,
which can lead to broken bones and hip fractures.
- Heart disease, which is the number one cause of death in women in the
United States.
Women who choose to have their ovaries removed can take
estrogen therapy. This treatment doesn't
prevent heart disease, but it helps to lower your risk of osteoporosis. If you
already have bone loss, other medicines can help protect your bones. Your doctor may recommend having your ovaries removed
when you have a hysterectomy if: - You have a BRCA gene change.
- You
have a strong family history of early
ovarian cancer. You have a higher risk of ovarian
cancer if a close family member, especially your mother or sister, has had
breast cancer.
- You have a type of
breast cancer that estrogen causes to grow.
- You have severe
premenstrual syndrome that could be helped by having
your ovaries removed.
- You have had pelvic pain that involved your ovaries.
Compare your options | |
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What is usually involved? |
| |
|---|
What are the benefits? |
| |
|---|
What are the risks and side effects? |
| |
|---|
Have ovaries removed
along with hysterectomy Have ovaries removed
along with hysterectomy- The ovaries are removed
through the same incision made for the hysterectomy.
- You stay in
the hospital for 1 to 2 days. Some women stay for up to 4 days.
- You
may take
estrogen therapy.
- If you are at high risk for
breast cancer or
ovarian cancer, removing the ovaries greatly reduces
your risk.
- If you have severe
PMS, you may feel better after you have your
ovaries removed.
- Removing the
ovaries increases the risk of
heart disease and
osteoporosis.
- If you have your ovaries removed before
menopause, you will go into early menopause. This can
cause hot flashes and other symptoms.
- Removing the ovaries during
hysterectomy poses no additional surgical risks than
having a hysterectomy alone.
Have hysterectomy only
Have hysterectomy only
- You stay in the hospital for 1
to 2 days. Some women stay for up to 4 days.
- For women at average risk:
- The benefits of keeping the ovaries usually
outweigh the risks, especially for younger women.
- Hysterectomy
itself can reduce the risk of ovarian cancer.
- If you are at
high risk for breast cancer or ovarian cancer, you will still be at risk.
My mother
died of ovarian cancer when she was 48, so that's always been one of my biggest
fears. I have severe PMS and don't plan to have children, so I
decided to have a hysterectomy. And I'm going to have my ovaries taken out at
the same time. Knowing my risk of ovarian cancer is reduced will give me more
peace of mind. I have a very large fibroid, so I have
decided to have a hysterectomy to remove it. But I plan to keep my ovaries so
that I don't go into early menopause. My mother
and two of her sisters had breast cancer when they were in their 40s. I'm an
Ashkenazi Jew, so even though I haven't had the BRCA test, I know chances are
good that I have the breast cancer gene. I have decided to have a hysterectomy
to put an end to years of heavy menstrual bleeding. I am also going to have an
oophorectomy to reduce my risk of breast and ovarian cancer. I am going
to have a hysterectomy to treat uterine prolapse. When my older sister had her
hysterectomy, they also took her ovaries. But my doctor said it's probably a
good idea to save my ovaries, especially since I am small-boned and my mother
has osteoporosis. What matters most to you?
Your personal feelings are just as important as the medical facts. Think about what matters most to you in this decision, and show how you feel about the following statements.
Reasons to have your ovaries removed during hysterectomy Reasons not to have your ovaries removed during hysterectomy I will worry less about cancer if I have my ovaries removed. I'm not that worried about cancer. More important Equally important More important I don't mind going into early menopause. I don't want to go into early menopause. More important Equally important More important I think that removing my ovaries will help with my severe PMS symptoms. I don't have severe PMS symptoms. More important Equally important More important I feel that there are more benefits to removing my ovaries than keeping them. I feel that there are more benefits to keeping my ovaries than removing them. More important Equally important More important My other important reasons: My other important reasons: More important Equally important More important Where are you leaning now?
Now that you've thought about the facts and your feelings, you may have a general idea of where you stand on this decision. Show which way you are leaning right now.
Having my ovaries removed NOT having my ovaries removed Leaning toward Undecided Leaning toward What else do you need to make your decision?1.
How sure do you feel right now about your decision? Not sure at all Somewhat sure Very sure Your SummaryHere's a record of your answers. You can use it to talk with your doctor or loved ones about your decision. Next stepsWhich way you're leaningHow sure you areYour commentsKey concepts that you understoodKey concepts that may need reviewCredits | Author | Healthwise Staff |
|---|
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine |
|---|
| Specialist Medical Reviewer | Kirtly Jones, MD - Obstetrics and Gynecology |
|---|
References Citations - Parker WH, et al. (2005). Ovarian conservation at the time of hysterectomy for benign disease. Obstetrics and Gynecology, 106(2): 219-226.
You may want to have a say in this decision, or you may simply want to follow your doctor's recommendation. Either way, this information will help you understand what your choices are so that you can talk to your doctor about them. Hysterectomy: Should I Also Have My Ovaries Removed?Here's a record of your answers. You can use it to talk with your doctor or loved ones about your decision. - Get the facts
- Compare your options
- What matters most to you?
- Where are you leaning now?
- What else do you need to make your decision?
1. Get the FactsYour options- Have your uterus and
your ovaries removed (hysterectomy with oophorectomy).
- Have your uterus removed, but keep your ovaries (hysterectomy
only).
Key points to remember- The main reason doctors recommend removing the ovaries during
hysterectomy is to lower the risk of
ovarian cancer. Studies show that if you are at high
risk, surgery greatly lowers your risk.
- If you aren't at high
risk for cancer, having your ovaries removed isn't
recommended.
- It's important to know your risk for cancer when
deciding whether to have your ovaries removed during your hysterectomy. Your
doctor will help you find out your risk by talking to you about your medical
history and your family history. Removing the ovaries if you're at risk is a different decision than if you're not at risk.
- Removing the ovaries may increase
your risk of
heart disease and
osteoporosis.
- If you have your ovaries
removed before menopause, you will go into early menopause. You may get
hot flashes and other symptoms.
FAQs What is oophorectomy?Surgery to remove the
ovaries is called oophorectomy (say "oh-uh-fuh-REK-tuh-mee"). The ovaries are
an important part of the
female reproductive system . They store eggs and produce sex hormones, including
estrogen. Of women who have a
hysterectomy, about half of them have their ovaries
removed at the same time.1 The main reason doctors
recommend removing the ovaries along with the uterus is to reduce the risk of
ovarian cancer. Studies show that if you are at high
risk, surgery greatly lowers your risk. What are the benefits of oophorectomy?For women
at average risk-this means no personal or family history of ovarian or breast
cancer-there is no clear benefit to removing the ovaries at any age.
Hysterectomy itself can reduce your risk of ovarian cancer.1 If you have severe
premenstrual syndrome (PMS), removing the ovaries can
stop hormone changes. This may help you feel better. If you are at
high risk for breast or ovarian cancer, having your
ovaries removed can greatly lower your risk. Women at high risk for these
cancers include those who: - Have a BRCA gene change (BRCA stands for
BReast CAncer).
- Have a family history of ovarian cancer before age
50.
If you don't know if you are at high risk for breast or
ovarian cancer, talk to your doctor. If your doctor thinks you could be at
risk, you may want to think about gene testing. What are the risks of having your ovaries removed?When your ovaries are removed, you lose the estrogen that they produce.
Without estrogen, you will go into early menopause. This can cause hot flashes
and other symptoms. Having your ovaries removed before age 65 may
increase your chance of getting:1 - Osteoporosis,
which can lead to broken bones and hip fractures.
- Heart disease, which is the number one cause of death in women in the
United States.
Women who choose to have their ovaries removed can take
estrogen therapy. This treatment doesn't
prevent heart disease, but it helps to lower your risk of osteoporosis. If you
already have bone loss, other medicines can help protect your bones. Why might your doctor recommend having your ovaries removed?Your doctor may recommend having your ovaries removed
when you have a hysterectomy if: - You have a BRCA gene change.
- You
have a strong family history of early
ovarian cancer. You have a higher risk of ovarian
cancer if a close family member, especially your mother or sister, has had
breast cancer.
- You have a type of
breast cancer that estrogen causes to grow.
- You have severe
premenstrual syndrome that could be helped by having
your ovaries removed.
- You have had pelvic pain that involved your ovaries.
2. Compare your options| | Have ovaries removed
along with hysterectomy | Have hysterectomy only
|
|---|
| What is usually involved? | - The ovaries are removed
through the same incision made for the hysterectomy.
- You stay in
the hospital for 1 to 2 days. Some women stay for up to 4 days.
- You
may take
estrogen therapy.
| - You stay in the hospital for 1
to 2 days. Some women stay for up to 4 days.
|
|---|
| What are the benefits? | - If you are at high risk for
breast cancer or
ovarian cancer, removing the ovaries greatly reduces
your risk.
- If you have severe
PMS, you may feel better after you have your
ovaries removed.
| - For women at average risk:
- The benefits of keeping the ovaries usually
outweigh the risks, especially for younger women.
- Hysterectomy
itself can reduce the risk of ovarian cancer.
|
|---|
| What are the risks and side effects? | - Removing the
ovaries increases the risk of
heart disease and
osteoporosis.
- If you have your ovaries removed before
menopause, you will go into early menopause. This can
cause hot flashes and other symptoms.
- Removing the ovaries during
hysterectomy poses no additional surgical risks than
having a hysterectomy alone.
| - If you are at
high risk for breast cancer or ovarian cancer, you will still be at risk.
|
|---|
Personal storiesPersonal stories about having an oophorectomy with a hysterectomy
These stories are based on information gathered from health professionals and consumers. They may be helpful as you make important health decisions.
"My mother died of ovarian cancer when she was 48, so that's always been one of my biggest fears. I have severe PMS and don't plan to have children, so I decided to have a hysterectomy. And I'm going to have my ovaries taken out at the same time. Knowing my risk of ovarian cancer is reduced will give me more peace of mind." "I have a very large fibroid, so I have decided to have a hysterectomy to remove it. But I plan to keep my ovaries so that I don't go into early menopause." "My mother and two of her sisters had breast cancer when they were in their 40s. I'm an Ashkenazi Jew, so even though I haven't had the BRCA test, I know chances are good that I have the breast cancer gene. I have decided to have a hysterectomy to put an end to years of heavy menstrual bleeding. I am also going to have an oophorectomy to reduce my risk of breast and ovarian cancer." "I am going to have a hysterectomy to treat uterine prolapse. When my older sister had her hysterectomy, they also took her ovaries. But my doctor said it's probably a good idea to save my ovaries, especially since I am small-boned and my mother has osteoporosis." 3. What matters most to you?
Your personal feelings are just as important as the medical facts. Think about what matters most to you in this decision, and show how you feel about the following statements.
Reasons to have your ovaries removed during hysterectomy Reasons not to have your ovaries removed during hysterectomy I will worry less about cancer if I have my ovaries removed. I'm not that worried about cancer. More important Equally important More important I don't mind going into early menopause. I don't want to go into early menopause. More important Equally important More important I think that removing my ovaries will help with my severe PMS symptoms. I don't have severe PMS symptoms. More important Equally important More important I feel that there are more benefits to removing my ovaries than keeping them. I feel that there are more benefits to keeping my ovaries than removing them. More important Equally important More important My other important reasons: My other important reasons: More important Equally important More important 4. Where are you leaning now?
Now that you've thought about the facts and your feelings, you may have a general idea of where you stand on this decision. Show which way you are leaning right now.
Having my ovaries removed NOT having my ovaries removed Leaning toward Undecided Leaning toward 5. What else do you need to make your decision?
Check the facts
1.
If you are at high risk for ovarian cancer, will you benefit by having your ovaries removed during a hysterectomy? You're right. Studies show that if you are at high risk for ovarian cancer, surgery to remove your ovaries may greatly lower your risk. 2.
Can you have menopause at the normal time of life if you have your ovaries removed? You're right. If you have your ovaries removed before menopause, you will go into early menopause. This can cause hot flashes and other symptoms. 3.
Can removing your ovaries increase your chances of getting heart disease and osteoporosis? You're right. Having your ovaries removed before age 65 can increase your chances of getting heart disease and osteoporosis. Decide what's next1.
Do you understand the options available to you? 2.
Are you clear about which benefits and side effects matter most to you? 3.
Do you have enough support and advice from others to make a choice? Certainty1.
How sure do you feel right now about your decision? Not sure at all Somewhat sure Very sure 2.
Check what you need to do before you make this decision. Credits | By | Healthwise Staff |
|---|
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine |
|---|
| Specialist Medical Reviewer | Kirtly Jones, MD - Obstetrics and Gynecology |
|---|
References Citations - Parker WH, et al. (2005). Ovarian conservation at the time of hysterectomy for benign disease. Obstetrics and Gynecology, 106(2): 219-226.
Note: The "printer friendly" document will not contain all the information available in the online document some Information (e.g. cross-references to other topics, definitions or medical illustrations) is only available in the online version.Current as of:
November 23, 2016 Parker WH, et al. (2005). Ovarian conservation at the time of hysterectomy for benign disease. Obstetrics and Gynecology, 106(2): 219-226. Last modified on: 8 September 2017
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