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What possible side effects of removing 1 ovary? Or should I have both removed?

By July 21, 2008 - 8:00pm
 
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Newbie here so I hope I'm doing this right....LOL I found out 3 years ago that I have 3 cysts on my right ovary. My gyne has been watching them closely via ultrasounds and CA125 blood tests because my mom had ovarian cancer 13 yrs. ago....alive and healthy!! My CA125 are within the normal ranges. Within the past year the cysts started growing a little bit. He first suggested removing the right ovary only but after my last ultrasound suggested removing both but also wanted me to go see an oncologist gynecologist. I went to see the Dr. that performed my mother's surgery and a very high rated doctor. I had an ultrasound done today and he called me to tell me that he does want to remove the right ovary for sure and gave me the option to remove both ovaries but not the uterus. The left ovary is healthy but given my history it's up to me. I am 47 and premenopausal. I feel I should only have the right one removed so that I do not go into instant menopause as I already suffer from mild depression. I am still trying to digest all this so any input would be appreciated. I should add I have a very supportive husband and family and of course they are leaving the decision up to me. Thanks so much!

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EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous (reply to Anonymous)

I had my right ovary removed and a DNC done at the same time 1 week before my period started. I got mine back 1 week before my normal cycle. I'm assuming that the DNC was the cause of that. So I would assume that you should get it on time. In the case that you don't, just remember that every woman is different and don't be afraid to ask your doctor. You can never ask too many questions

August 29, 2015 - 9:00pm
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous

I'm not sure the pain meds would cause your boobs to grow maybe worth speaking to your doctor as it could be your hormones. I have had 3 operations in the last 18 months to remove many many cyst which keep getting bigger, some have ruptured which resulted in me having my right ovary and Fallopian tube removed. I now experience quite a bit of pain during inter cause that side which ive been scanned for and awaiting gyne appointment! When they scanned me recently they noticed that I have a large cyst again on my other side so I'm expecting another operation due to my history! However since having my right ovary removed I have become increasing down, I don't even recognise myself or my irrational thoughts anymore. Feelings of leaving my husband as I am not good enough for him. Cry loads not eating or sleeping properly! It's been going on about 6-8 months now and I only opened up to my husband about this a couple days ago! He has been really supportive but I just don't know what to do to stop me feeling so pants. Could it be more hormones with having only one ovary removed?? Or am I just losing my head?

Desparate girl in need of some advise! X

August 2, 2015 - 2:56am
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous (reply to Anonymous)

I had my left ovary removed in December and was feeling very similar. Doing some research, live found a lot of these symptoms coordinate with PTSD. I'm not an expert by any means and the feelings are definitely rooted with a feeling of loss and frear, no sex drive and overall a need to disconnect. Anyway, hopefully this helps and I hope you're feeling better!

March 26, 2017 - 11:55am
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous (reply to Anonymous)

I will have to agree with you. I had a cyst the size of a football attached to my ovary. It was removed along with my right ovary, right Fallopian tube and appendix. I had that done in April 2015. It is now almost 9 months later and I have a lack of sex drive and I feel down all the time! I just can't seem to snap out of it! You are not alone! There really might be something to it! I am starting to believe maybe my hormones are totally out of whack! I can't imagine what else could. E causing me to feel this way! Most the time I don't even know why I feel so down! Time to go to a doctor and look into this! Good luck to all you ladies out there!

January 4, 2016 - 1:05pm
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous (reply to Anonymous)

Its just hormones. If they remove the other ovary I suggest talking to your doctor about hormone replacements. Its hard at first, but it does get better over time. I found that it helps to work on little crafts and projects to keep my mind off all the craziness going on in my mind. Just hang in there!

August 2, 2015 - 3:20pm
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous

Hello, I am 20 years old and just had my right ovary removed along with a DNC( to remove a polyp) now all of the sudden my breast have gotten significantly larger. Is this normal? Could it be the pain medication that I am on? I'm not complaining at all, I would prefer them to continue getting larger, but I would like to know the cause of it.

July 24, 2015 - 9:46am
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous

My wife had ovarian cyst removed a few years ago. The cysts came back and her gyn told her that she should consider having one of her ovaries removed. She put her trust into the dr and had it done.
Since the surgery my wife's mode changed and nothing seems to make her happy. The slightest thing would set her off. I have been researching it and found that removal of a females ovary has a detrimental affect on a female. I wish I had done research prior to my wife having her ovary removed because I found that a lack of either iodine or iron can cause cysts to form and a regiment of either iron or iodine can reduce the size of the cyst and eventually cause the cysts to disappear. I would have had my wife go that route instead.I have spoken with my wife about her change and she becomes extremely defensive. I believe most of these Drs don't give a sh-t and do what ever they want with out thinking about how their actions affect their patient.
People need advocates and I'm telling you that u should do your research before having something done that may destroy the person that you are.

July 1, 2015 - 7:07pm
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous (reply to Anonymous)

Thanks for your post. I was diagnosed with Stage IV metastatic breast cancer in March 2016, and since its ER and PR positive, my hormones are the main culprit. I have all the horrible symptoms of moodiness, weight fluctuations, irritable, chin hair growth, depression, anxiety, insomnia...uggh, its horrible cycle dealing with my hormonal fluctations throughout the month. I took Lupron to shut down my hormones, and well I had an allergic reaction, so I stopped it. I have been treating myself completely holistically, and its working, the tumor has reduced by about 40% now. I have been told that I should get my ovaries removed so I can solve the too much hormones problem, but uggh, I am 45, and while I have no desire to have kids, or anything like that, I truly believe that we need everything we got for some good reason or another, and ovary removal feels like the wrong thing to do. Yet, my hormones have been driving me crazy, for way too long. I am not so sure what to do.

July 20, 2016 - 4:40pm
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous (reply to Anonymous)

Thai you for this you just helped me
Make My decision to not get mine taken off ! I am anemic
And about to start taking iron pills so I will see if that helps .
I'll let him rose the cyst but not the ovary . Any other info will be helpful thanks

February 24, 2016 - 6:54am
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous (reply to Anonymous)

Could you please share more of what you found about mood changes after an ovary removal. I had one ovary removed 4 months ago and I've noticed a huge change in myself regarding my mood. I was told this would have no effect on my hormonals but I believe its having a huge effect.

October 24, 2015 - 3:47am
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