Why Wouldn't I Just Want My Ovaries Removed?

Hammie28

I just had my first Zolodex injection yesterday and the thought of continuing this every 28 days for the next 5+ years seems daunting! Why wouldn't I just go ahead and remove my ovaries? Either way I'm dealing with early/sudden menaupuase, right? Are there benefits to a medical shutdown of the ovaries vs surgical removal? I am not hoping for another baby.

Goodie16

My choice to do monthly Lupron instead of having my ovaries removed is simply because I didn't want another surgery.

If you feel surgery is a better solution for you, discuss it with your MO. Good luck!

KiwiMum

I put up with monthly Zoladex injections for over a year and then decided I hated it and didn't want to continue so I had my ovaries removed. I'm happy I did. The surgery was relatively easy, with quick recovery.

I don't think there are medical benefits. It's purely choice.

Tresjoli2

my OB/GYN said that the ovaries play a larger role in our bodies, including links to cardiovascular health. He was adamant that I keep mine. I take Lupron, a shot every three months.

Anonymous

Tresjolie, I heard the same about our uteruses--they secrete prostaglandins that support cardiovascular health; and much research supports the trend that because we are yanking them out too easily and without thought simply because surgeons (whose only tool is a knife) can do so, our overall health suffers (unless those organs are cancerous, of course, a different story as we all know).

Personally I feel all our organs, including our tonsils, which used to be taken out routinely in children when they weren't even a problem in the decades of the 50s/60s in the US, play a part in overall health. Tonsils are now seen as a link to a stronger immune system, and I expect in 50 years the idea that a hysterectomy solves all female problems will be seen as over-treatment...

ElaineTherese

Hi!

I do Zoladex every month. It takes about 10 minutes. Every other month, I get my port flushed at the same time, which takes about 5 minutes. I talked to my OB/GYN about having my ovaries removed instead. He said that his preference was to leave the ovaries in unless they are causing problems. He noted that women who kept their ovaries lived longer than those who had them removed. He suggested that I do Zoladex until I'm 50 (another two years), and then test my hormone levels to see whether or not I am post-menopausal (average age of menopause is 51). If so, I could stop the Zoladex.

Lupron is more convenient (fewer shots), but MO wasn't sure that my insurance would cover it. That's why she has me on Zoladex. I don't mind getting it; it gives me a chance to chat with my chemo nurses again (they're very nice ladies).

By the way, I'll be on Aromasin for nine more years (just had my first anniversary) Nine more years! Nine more years!

Best wishes!

__asher__

He noted that women who kept their ovaries lived longer than those who had them removed.

Elaine, did your surgeon mean for women with BC, or women in general. Just curious. Thanks

slv58

_asher, I just went through this decision because I had an ovarian cyst with thin septation that was getting larger over the last year. My oncology gynaecologist told me that in my case the only way to be 100% sure it wasn't malignant was to have it out. My regular gynaecologist had told me previously the same thing Elaine stated so I went back to her to discuss the pro/ con to removing ovaries. The study that information is from is 'The Parker study' here is a brief copy of that stats- I decided to have mine removed and found it to be a very easy surgery. I hope this info helps.

Of the roughly 30,000 women who underwent a hysterectomy, nearly 17,000 had both ovaries removed, while the rest kept their ovaries.

The researchers found that over the course of 28 years, 16.8 percent of those who had their ovaries removed died, compared to 13.3 percent of those with their ovaries.

The women's risk of dying from ovarian cancer was dramatically reduced if their ovaries were taken out - 44 women in the group with ovaries died, versus four in the group without ovaries.

But the women who had their ovaries taken out had a 13 percent greater risk of dying from all other causes, Parker's team reports in the medical journal Obstetrics & Gynecology.

Among those other causes, heart disease and other forms of cancer predominated. The group without ovaries had a 23 percent increased risk of dying from heart disease, a 29 percent greater chance of dying from lung cancer and a 49 percent higher risk of dying from colorectal cancer than the women who kept their ovaries.

For instance, nearly three percent - 481 women - in the group with their ovaries removed died from cardiovascular disease, while closer to two percent - 281 women - died in the group that kept their ovaries.

Scarlett152

I just had my ovaries removed last week after 15 months of Zoladex. I combined it with a stage 2 reconstruction surgery. I have almost no pain related to the oophorectomy. I hated having to go to the infusion center where I had chemo every month for 5 more years. I'm turning 49 next week to the decision was easy for me. Both my MO and surgical gynecologist said it made no difference whether I continued with Zoladex or removed the ovaries, although they didn't bring up the study Special K mentioned. I was tied of the monthly reminded of cancer and chemo. Good luck with your decision.

Hammie28

I think I feel a lot like Scarlet. I would like to be done with regular trips to the infusion center. I had such a strong dislike for being there during chemo. Everyone there is much older than me and much sicker. All through chemo, I just felt like I didn't belong there and that everyone was staring at me wondering why we were there.

I wonder if the study mentioned above is comparing women with BC or not

barbe1958

Just so y'all know. I had a hysterectomy about 5 or so years before I got breast cancer in 2008. Now, 8 years later is has recurred and now I'm on Arimidex among other treatments. Estrogen is produced in other places in your body apparently, not just the ovaries (liver and adrenal glands as well as breast). I had no more breasts and no more ovaries and I recurred. Perhaps if I was on Arimidex 8 years ago I wouldn't be here again.

So, don't think that your surgery gives you a 'get out of jail free' card. Perhaps the other things your ovaries give you are worth it.

ElaineTherese

asher, OB/GYN was talking about women in general.

barbe1958

Should add, when you have ER+ breast cancer you can't really mess around.

Nik1966

I have just passed my 12 months on Zoladex & aromasin and am seriously considering having my ovaries out as well. I hate the side effects of the medication, but I worry about the side effects of having no ovaries.

Hammie28

Barb, I'm taking monthly Zolodex for ovarian suppression plus the anastrozole for all of the other estrogen my body produces. The anastrozole would continue even if I choose surgery to remove the ovaries, but I could eliminate the Zolodex injections.

reaux2gumbo89

Finally the right place to post! Started Zoladex & Arimidex 2/17/16. Two weeks later cough very stuffy & noticed trouble swallowing with dizziness. I have menieres disease winch causes severe vertigo & increased head pressure so I went to ENT. Everything looked fine. No strep or flu. Antibiotic & steroid shot (steroids choice for menieres Ive since learned not so much for bc so I'll only use when absolutely needed now on) & z pack. Over next week so weak have to lie on laundry room floor between tossing a few clothes in until a whole load is in either machine. Can't stand to cook wout seeing stars. Headache all time. So exactly 1 week later ENT spot mono test neg & get another antibiotic shot & 10 day script. By next week font I could read week before I can no longer read. Swallowing solids is impossible & its all I can do to get dressed to have someone drive me for monthly labs & Zoladex. On way ENT calls mono flair up says tell MO ASAP. Clinic says "not scheduled" to see MO, I demand. He says mono can't flair up you build immunity once u have it. Ask is this Zoladex or Arimidex- NO! Too soon for any side effects of any kind! Just a virus! He leaves, nice NP orders fluids w Zoladex. Following week can see less & less & black out. At infusion lab bp low as 59/60 over high 30s so more fluids for 3 more visits over next couple of weeks. Finally MO says either Arimidez or Zoladez or combo of both..... ya think????? Stop Arimidex 3/22/16. Can't do anything bout Zoladex cuz its in ya for 28 days. So within few days off Arimidex I begin to feel human again😊. I think yeah, its Arimidex, bcuz MO said he has more pills to try, but not much else to do if its Zoladex. I have other health issues so I want to keep my ovaries. This past Wednesday it wasn't my MO, but the NP who said in 2 weeks I'll be trying aromatsin & on that day 3/13/16 I received the next Zoladez injection. Today its hard to swallow. So now I'm wondering if the Zoladex is part of this, but the side effect lessened at the end of the cycle & certainly was more potent if I truly am reacting to both it & the Arimidex. I think the other medical conditions and allergies I have may have played a part in all this so I'm afraid my experience may be unique & perhaps even unreadable. Even with AIs awful side effects, I fear the chance of not having the choice to try them for a long haul from stupid reactions. I also really want to change MOs but bcuz I seem to possibility be "reacting" again I don't know that now is the best time to make that change. I appreciate your thoughts on my weird situation!