Hysterectomy & removal of ovaries dilemma!

[Penguin-01]

I'm new here but hope you can help me by sharing your experiences … I was diagnosed with endometriosis a year ago after a couple of years of pain. I am due to have surgery in 2 weeks and my consultant has advised a full hysterectomy with removal of both ovaries, together with excision of endometriosis and bowel surgery. I know that my right ovary will need to be removed but am unsure whether I should opt to keep my left if it is healthy? I don't like the idea of surgical menopause, or HRT (I'm 43 so have been told I will have to take this), but equally the idea of the endometriosis recurring because I have chosen to keep an ovary is worry me! If you have either had both ovaries removed or just one are you able to tell me whether you have regretted your decision or are pleased with it? Many thanks!

[Sludge78]

I had the full lot removed a week before my 40th. Yes there are some downsides to it but I find the pros far outweigh the cons.

[Mrsrestell]

It’s different for everyone, and also depends on how aggressive your endo is. I had mine removed in May 2017 to hopefully start a family. By August 2018 the little bit of cyst on my remaining overy had grown x10 to 9cm and had obliterated the remaining healthy ovarian tissue and taken with it any hope of me having a family. I’m now awaiting a full hysterectomy at age 35, but after my experience I know this is the right decision to avoid being in surgery every year. Apparently I’m a rare case (according to my consultant). You just need to do what’s right for you. Xx.

P.S I’m in a chemical menopause at the moment. If you’re facing a surgical menopause then you should ask to try it chemically - at least you’ll get an idea of how it is for you. Again, it’s different for everyone. Apart from the brain fog and concentration issues, I’m loving menopause!! I can’t believe how utterly terrible I was feeling before, and how much of an improvement menopause is for me. As a result I’m kind of looking forward to the hysterectomy so that I can have the full HRT treatment! It’s made me see that I had been perimenopausal for many years and had suffered the horrible side effects unknowingly and without any help. I’m wondering what it will actually feel like to have a ‘normal’ level of hormones (as I have no idea when that last happened to me - I’m guessing in my late 20s). The thing I’m most looking forward to is having my energy and zest for life back! Hormones are funny little suckers!

[ChloeV]

I had a full hysterectomy with bowel excision and pelvic floor repair in December 2018 , at 42, and felt so much better afterwards. The endo had been affecting me even more than I had truly understood. I feel healthier and oddly younger too. I was put on low-level HRT patches and felt great apart from memory and brain fog. The surgeon then put me on testosterone and that cleared the fog and my memory is slowly getting better too.

For me it was a relief to get both ovaries out as I now know that new endo will likely not come back or grow. It feels like a new page in my life is turning.

[StefaniaJW]

HYSTERECTOMIES WILL NOT CURE ENDOMETRIOSIS. REMOVING BOTH OVARIES IS NOT A GUARANTEE EITHER. If I were you, if I felt like not going into menopause, I'd keep the left ovary and tube, BUT endo might come back and you might have to have surgery again.

Just take everything into consideration carefully knowing hysterectomies are only a "cure" for adenomyosis