ask: can an ovarian cyst be removed without removing the ovary?
i'm 35 years old. when i was 17, my left ovary was removed because of a large cyst found in it. i got married at 25 and had 3 children. now, i had my routine check-up and it was found out that my right ovary had a cyst in it, measuring around 6.8 cm by 8 cm. my obgyne advised for a hysterectomy. is there any other option than removing everything including my uterus? can the cyst be removed without removing my ovary? i'm still very young...
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Hi hsaperocho
Thanks for your question and I'm sorry to read you have yet another ovarian cyst but delighted you have been able to have 3 children!
You are correct - 35 is very young to have to consider such a serious decision like hysterectomy. Our reproductive systems are much more than baby makers and carriers. A hysterectomy can sometimes have far- reaching consequences for women.
For my own education, as well as other women who may be reading your question, here is a list of the various types of cysts a woman can have:
Functional Cysts
These normal cysts will often shrink and disappear within two or three menstrual cycles. Because this type of cyst is formed during ovulation it rarely occurs in menopausal women because eggs are no longer being produced.
Dermoid Cysts
Ovarian cysts which are filled with various types of tissues including hair and skin.
Endometrioma Cysts
These cysts are also known as the chocolate cysts of endometriosis and form when tissue similar to the lining of the uterus attaches to the ovaries.
Cystadenoma Cysts
These are ovarian cysts which develop from cells on the outer surface of the ovaries
Polycystic Ovarian Disease
Cysts that form from a buildup of follicle cysts which cause the ovaries to thicken. These cysts cause the ovaries to enlarge and create a thick outer covering which may prevent ovulation from occurring and are often the cause of fertility problems.
http://womenshealth.about.com/cs/ovariancysts/a/ovariancysts.htm
Has your doctor advised you of the kind of cyst you have? The kind of tretment you need may depend on the type of cyst on your ovary.
Women have had their cysts disappear by themselves, certain birth control pills or medications have helped, or they have the cyst removed with surgery. Some, like in your case when you were younger, have the entire ovary removed. And in some serious cases, women have had to have a hysterectomy.
Has your doctor explained why he/she thinks a hysterectomy is needed? Have you asked about medications or the removal of the cyst itself or the removal of your ovary?
Please keep us imformed!
July 5, 2008 - 11:46amThis Comment
i remembered my cyst 18 years ago...i think it was a dermoid cyst. i don't know yet the type of cyst that i have now. my obgyne advised for a hysterectomy considering there will be no more ovaries to give eggs to it (layman language). she scheduled me for the operation next month. i still hope and pray that there will be another remedy to this. thanks for your info.
July 10, 2008 - 6:37amYou never need a hysterectomy for fibroids, cysts or polyps unless you have the wrong doctor. To remove fibroids, the alternative surgery is a myomectomy. To remove polyps and cysts the alternative surgery is a polypectomy. BUT, you have to find a doctor who does alternative surgeries. GOOD LUCK in finding one. Most doctors do not like to do alternative surgeries because it takes longer and is easier to do a hysterectomy along with castration (removal of ovaries). They will tell you it doesn't work and they will grow back. Not if you find a doctor who has done at least 100 of these surgeries.
Once your sexual hormone producing organs (uterus, ovaries and cervix) are gone so is your health and well-being, zest for life and your sexual enjoyment and probably your career. Your life as it was will never be again.
I got my information from the HERS Foundation web site which has a video you can watch "female anatomy" and also a blog where you can read what women have said after their hysterectomy and castration.
April 7, 2009 - 5:52amHi hsaperocho, Some cysts can be removed without removing the ovary in a procedure known as a cystectomy. Have you chatted with your doctor about this option yet? The size, shape and composision of a cyst are factors in the type of procedure your doctor will recommend.
July 5, 2008 - 11:49amive also been toldi have 2 ovarian cysts and told only option is hysterecttomy im 42 have 3 teens and want another baby i do not want a hysteretomy im getting a 2nd opinion asto seeif i can just have cyst removed and not ovary
October 10, 2008 - 11:28amA pelvic and transvaginal ultrasound performed in the Radiology Department of a hospital (not in a gynecologist's office) should determine with a high degree of probability what type of cyst you have. 99% of ovarian cysts are benign. There are many common ovarian cysts that do not need to be removed. When there is a cyst that causes sufficient symptoms to have it removed, a cystectomy (removal of the cysts, leaving the ovary intact) can be performed, if the the doctor has the skill.
If you would like more information about ovarian cysts you can contact the HERS Foundation by filling out the contact form at http://www.hersfoundation.org, or you can call HERS (the phone number is on the website).
I also suggest that you read the new book, THE H WORD, everything you ever wanted to know about hysterectomy.
August 18, 2009 - 1:54pmI had a hysterectomy when I was 35 I am now 43 and I do still enjoy sex it is not the same as before though, I still have one ovary and they are now telling me it has a mass on it and must be removed. I am so sick of this I only have one son who is now 27 and I have depression, I just know when they remove this I will never be the same I don't want it to happen, but if it must what can I do about it, nothing. I will forever be sad and no one will ever now how bad I feel. I don't want to suffer from menopause at such a early stage in my life and I don't want to be put on estrogen pills either, I don't know what to do but trust God that he will work it out the way it should be
August 18, 2009 - 11:58amHave you shared your feelings with your doctor? Before you go into any surgery, it is vitally important to feel confident that you are receiving the best care, and also that your outcome and recovery will be of utmost importance. You have many options; have you received a second opinion, to make sure that your ovary must be removed? If so, please talk with your doctor and ask for references of women who have gone through this procedure. Let your doctor know about your current depression (I assume s/he already knows?), and ask many, many questions about hormone replacement therapy and other options you have.
Do you have any specific questions about your treatment or recovery process? Have you spoken with your doctor about your concerns?
I appreciate women who "trust in a higher being", but it is also important to have an optimistic outlook, seek help for your depression, and conduct research into your options, so that you are not only "trusting" in someone else besides yourself, but you can also trust in yourself---armed with information and resources.
August 18, 2009 - 12:15pmPlease do not have your other ovary removed. You should never had the first ovary removed. You definitely had the wrong doctor. An alternative surgery to remove cysts is cystostomy. An alternative surgery to remove fibroids is a myomectomy and polyps is polypectomy. You have to find a doctor who has performed these surgeries. Most doctors will never mention alternative surgeries because it is easier and faster to give a hysterectomy. Please go to the HERS Foundation web site and have them help you find a doctor in your area. Read what women are saying about this damaging surgery on the HERS Foundation blog site. While on the site, order the 'H Word' book. I was not able to put the book down until I had read it all. This is information you need to know before you submit to a life-altering surgery with many side-effects.
August 18, 2009 - 2:29pmI have a question on Dermoid Cysts: I am 43 years old and my 2 kids are 12 and 10) A 1" cm dermoid was found accidently last October on an MRI. I have had a followup ultrasound and the cyst is still there and is not about 1.3 CM. I have been told that the Ovary would probably need to come out as well (cyst may be on a blood supply and is small). I would rather keep watching it rather than have surgery and probably lose an Ovary but do not want to have any cancer risk. What should I do?
September 9, 2009 - 3:57pm