Top Reasons You May Need an Oophorectomy

Oophorectomy is the process used to remove the ovaries surgically. The ovaries are the reproductive system of the woman where the eggs are stored and released for fertilization. It also produces the sex hormones of the female.

This procedure is usually only done when it is part of a hysterectomy. They often need to do it when a disease of the pelvic like cancer of the ovarian is present. It will also be recommended sometimes when hormones that is produced by ovaries, make a disease like severe endometriosis or breast cancer worse. Sometimes ovaries will get removed to reduce any chances of the possibility for future development of ovarian cancer. They call it prophylactic oophorectomy.

Reasons for an oophorectomy

There are about ten out of a hundred women that after they had a hysterectomy can develop a disease or condition that might increases the need to have an oophorectomy.

These diseases or conditions might include:

Inherited or heredity diseases.

Some women that have certain genes that are abnormal can have a greater risk to develop cancer of the ovarian before they are seventy. If your sister or mother had cancer of the ovarian or you know that you carry the abnormal gene, it will be wise to consider the removal of your ovaries.

After you had an oophorectomy, you won’t be able to fall pregnant but the risk of you getting cancer of the ovarian will nearly drop to zero. The risk to get cancer of the breast will also become lower. You can discuss it with the doctor and decide if the choice will be right for you.

Cancer of the breast.

The ovaries produce hormones that can increase a higher risk of getting cancer of the breast. Oophorectomy will reduce any risk of ovarian cancer or breast cancer when women have abnormal genes. It is also recommended sometimes to treat cancer of the breast, because of the fact that it will eliminate hormones that is produced from the ovaries.  

Oophorectomy might also be performed for the following reasons:

With a tube-ovarian abscess – this means that the fallopian tube and the ovary have a pocket that is filled with pus.

If you have endometriosis or ovarian cancer.

When you develop a non-cancerous cysts or tumour on the ovary.

In the case of ovarian torsion – this is in the case of an ovary that is twisting.

Any risks

Oophorectomy is a procedure that is relatively safe but there are small risks that it carries. Complications which may include the following:

There might be infection and bleeding. Some damage to organs that is nearby. A tumour that might rupture and spread potentially cells of cancer. Ovary cell retention that might continue to cause symptoms and signs, like pelvic pain for women that is premenopausal or small obstruction of the bowels.

The risks of menopause that is premature

Women that still have to undergo menopause may experience premature menopause when both of her ovaries are removed. This will deprive her body of any hormones that is produced through the ovaries and lead to some complications.

These are like:

Symptoms and signs of menopause like vaginal dryness and hot flashes. Anxiety or depression and sometimes even a heart disease. Her sex drive might decrease and problems with her memory, premature death and osteoporosis can occur.

Different procedures for an oophorectomy

Incision on the abdomen

With this procedure they will cut either horizontal across the line of the pubic hair, or they can make it vertical from the pubic bone up to the navel. You will have less of a scar with the horizontal incision but the vertical incision will provide a much better inside view of the abdomen. They will pull the abdomen muscles apart for the surgeon to see the ovaries clearly.

They will tie off all the blood vessels to prevent you from bleeding. Most of the time they will remove the fallopian tubes with the ovaries, and stitches or staples will be used to close the wound.

With a laparoscopic procedure

With the laparoscope, which is a thin tool that has a tiny camera attached to the end. They will enter through a cut that is small close to the navel, they will insert it into the abdomen. With this the surgeon will be able to observe on a video monitor all the organs of the pelvic.

They will make more small cuts and insert special tools into the abdomen to tie and cut off the fallopian tubes and blood vessels. They will detach the ovaries and remove them through an incision just above the vagina.

The ovaries might have to be cut smaller in order to remove them through these tiny cuts in the wall of the abdomen. They will close the cuts with stitches and there will only be small scars. Talk to your doctor about the procedures and what is best for you.