Should I worry about having 1 ovary removed due to a cyst?

Wishing both of you successful surgeries and quick recoveries. Mentally preparing yourself for surgery is important, I think. Going in with a positive attitude increases your chance of a better recovery.

Maryann

Hi Mandy,
At such a young age, you are faced with a major decision. I don't know how much information about ovarian dermoid cysts your doctor gave you or how much you discovered on your own. Forgive me if I am redundant. An ovarian dermoid cyst can develop in a woman during her reproductive years. They can cause torsion, infection, rupture, and cancer. These dermoid cysts can be removed with either conventional surgery or laparoscopy , which is surgery that uses small incisions and specially designed instruments to enter the abdomen or pelvis.
As a cancer survivor, I urge you to strongly consider the removal of the affected ovary if there is any indication that your cyst can become cancerous. The remaining ovary should still produce estrogen and progesterone for a few more years. Consider this, at age 46 you are on the threshold of perimenopause. Normally, the ovaries will begin to produce female hormones in lesser amounts. I went through perimenopause while battling cancer and believe me, cancer treatment was worse than any menopausal symptom.