What happens if both ovaries are removed

Removal of both ovaries in a premenopausal woman results in an abrupt withdrawal of estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone. Therefore removing both ovaries rather than just one or neither ovary may have significant effects on mood and well-being in women.

Over the years, many studies concluded that women who had their uterus removed some of whom also had their ovaries removed developed depressive symptoms at a greater rate than women who did not undergo this surgery Dennerstein et al. Therefore, it is not known if depression symptoms were related to the surgery itself, the medical condition requiring the surgery e.

It is possible that each of these factors could independently, or in combination, contribute to mood symptoms. In a recent review , Shifren concluded that mood and quality of life may actually improve after surgery in women who had hysterectomies for non-cancerous conditions.

Approximately one-quarter of women reported pelvic pain before the surgery. The researchers found that regardless of the type of surgery uterus and both ovaries removed or removal of uterus only , fewer women reported depressive symptoms 12 months after surgery compared to the percentage of women reporting depressive symptoms prior to surgery.

As a result, it is unknown if the estrogen therapy helped their mood. Other important factors to note in this study are that the mood assessments did not evaluate for clinical depression, and that the reason for the surgery and the decision to have both ovaries removed varied based on a number of different factors.

In contrast, the proportion of women with depressive symptoms decreases after surgery, even among those who have depressive symptoms before their surgery, and does not seem to be related to removal of both ovaries.

These studies provide encouraging information about mood effects of gynecologic surgery for women who require surgical removal of their uterus with or without their ovaries.

Additional research is still needed to definitively establish the association of gynecologic surgery with mood and other aspects of quality-of-life, such as sexual health.

For example, we do not know the impact of these surgeries on mood for women who have been diagnosed with clinical depression prior to the operation. It would be important to monitor mood symptoms carefully in any woman with a history of mood disorders after major life events and medical illnesses, which would include hysterectomy and the medical conditions for which the surgery is indicated.

However, it is hoped that such surgical interventions may be associated with improved mood because they relieve the symptoms and distress that occur because of the medical conditions that require the surgical treatment.

A population-based study of depressed mood in middle-aged, Australian-born women. Menopause Sep-Oct;11 5 A prospective study of 3 years of outcomes after hysterectomy with and without oophorectomy. Am J Obstet Gynecol. Surgical menopause: effects on psychological well-being and sexuality.

Bilateral oophorectomy and depressive symptoms 12 months after hysterectomy. Am J Obsetet Gynecol ; I feel that there are more benefits to keeping my ovaries than removing them. 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. How sure do you feel right now about your decision? Here's a record of your answers. You can use it to talk with your doctor or loved ones about your decision.

Having your ovaries removed before age 65 may increase your chance of getting: 1. I think that removing my ovaries will help with my severe PMS symptoms.

If you are at high risk for ovarian cancer, will you benefit by having your ovaries removed during a hysterectomy? Can you have menopause at the normal time of life if you have your ovaries removed? Can removing your ovaries increase your chances of getting heart disease and osteoporosis? Are you clear about which benefits and side effects matter most to you? Do you have enough support and advice from others to make a choice?

Author: Healthwise Staff. This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated, disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. Learn how we develop our content. To learn more about Healthwise, visit Healthwise. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated.

Updated visitor guidelines. Get the facts. Your 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.

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. What is oophorectomy?

What are the benefits of oophorectomy? Have a family history of ovarian cancer before age What are the risks of having your ovaries removed? 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. Why might your doctor recommend having your ovaries removed? Although an oophorectomy is often performed to help treat or prevent diseases, it may put women at risk of other issues.

Serious complications are rare, but people who smoke, are obese, or have diabetes may be more at risk for surgical complications. Women who have had pelvic surgery or serious infections in the past may also be more vulnerable to complications. Women who have both ovaries removed will no longer be able to become pregnant. A woman who wishes to become pregnant or is considering pregnancy in the future should discuss alternative options to oophorectomy with a doctor.

It is vital to report any signs of a complication to a doctor, as soon as possible. These signs and symptoms include:. Women who have both of their ovaries removed before they have reached menopause usually take hormones to reduce the risk of menopause symptoms or other disorders. Hormone therapy, comes with side effects, however, including mood swings, nausea, and headaches. A woman may choose to let the body go through menopause without taking replacement hormones.

It is best to discuss any potential hormonal changes with a doctor before an oophorectomy. Some women will be treated with hormones, but not all are good candidates. A bilateral oophorectomy may also increase the risk of a woman developing osteoporosis , which causes weak and brittle bones. This is because the body will no longer produce much estrogen.

Women who keep their ovaries until at least the age of 50 may live longer than women who have a bilateral oophorectomy before then. One study noted that while a bilateral oophorectomy does reduce the risk of death from ovarian cancer and breast cancer in some cases, it may increase the risks of death from all other causes. A review in the Journal of Clinical Oncology noted that women with these genes who have their ovaries removed have an 80 percent reduction in the risk of death from specific cancers and a 77 percent reduction in risk of death from all causes.

It is essential for a person to discuss their personal history and all their options with a doctor before choosing an oophorectomy. An oophorectomy can be a lifesaving procedure in many cases. However, women with an otherwise healthy uterus and ovaries should thoroughly discuss their options with a doctor, as the surgery comes with some risks. Antonetta Mueller Dr. Elise Vo Dr. Mai — Linh Vu Dr. Cassidy Sullivan Dr. Christine Feigal Dr. Lauren de Winter Dr. Marilee Kiernan Dr. Kirsten Devin Dr.

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