Hysterectomy - take ovaries out or not?

Question

I am post menopausal and have been having problems with fibroids and am considering a hysterectomy. My mother keeps telling me to ask that they not remove my ovaries as they still are putting out a small amount of estrogen which helps a lot of things like vaginal dryness, skin, etc. My doctor keeps saying that my ovaries are nothing now but little dried up balls and they aren't benefiting me at all. One of the pluses is that if the ovaries are gone, you don't have to worry about ovarian cancer. But I don't want to have other problems like getting hot flashes again or ultra dry skin, etc. If you have had a hysterectomy with ovaries removed, can you advise pros and cons.

Answer 1

actually recent studies suggest that even post menopausal ovaries put out some hormones that could help prevent heart attack.

Personally, I would leave them

Answer 2

Leaving the ovaries after a hysterectomy in a postmenopausal woman is not a common practice becasue of the risk of ovarian cancer. Since you are already postmenopausal - the likelyhood of developing symptoms associated with "the change" are far less. Chances are your ovaries are doing something close to nothing as far as hormones go at this stage of the game and your provider is absolutely correct in noting that your ovaries have probably atrophied and no longer function at a level considered beneficial.

Ultimately, it is your body and your decision. Talk with your provider again if you are having any doubts or seek a second opinion to ease your mind.

Either way you go ---Goodluck and wished for a speedy recovery!