Need suggestion to remove or not to remove ovaries.

Hi Lovujja, I had my ovaries removed and am on Letrozole now. 

Hot flashes are the worse side effects for me so far. But I am BRCA2 positive too.

Lovujja, I would urge you to talk to 2-3 docs about this. You are quite young to yank out the ovaries.

I had mine out, BUT: I was 48 and going into menopause anyway; my mother had ovarian cancer 6 years ago; my mother's sister had breast and uterine cancer 3 years ago; my cancer was stage 3 and lobular, which "likes" the ovaries; and, finally, I was really not digging the tamox and preferred going on an AI (which is also more effective against lobular).

In addition we have no family history of either heart disease or dementia, but we do have an extensive history of cancer on both sides. So the chances that my cancer has a hereditary component are really high, although my mom and her sister are negative for BRCA. I figured that with this constellation of factors, I was better off getting rid of my estrogen factory. In addition I had some huge fibroids on my uterus, so we took that too, but left the "neck," to support my internal organs and hopefully prevent any prolapse problems.

So, a year and a bit ago, I was hurled into surgical menopause, augmented with letrozole. It was odd, lemme tell ya. For quite a while, it felt like the entire system was dead (yes, I am talking sexual health here). However, it is coming back. You basically have to retrain your body, and it can be done.

I wanted to chime in on this thread too. I was diagnosed a little over a year ago at age 43 (premen). I was stage III, grade 3, ER 96% and PR 96%. I chose no chemo and the only sane alternative to that according to my onc and other docs was to have an ooph w/ mx on same day to what they called "remove the fuel" and "burn down the factory to stop the production". I had looked at some studies that had discussed that this approach was as effective or maybe even more than chemo for hormone+ cancers. I was clearly estogen dominant..had heavy periods and uterine fibroids. I followed the advice as I saw it as the best option for me. I had the mx and ooph during the same surgery. I was put on femara only 1 week following the surgery to get to stray cells as quickly as possible. My tumor markers leveled off and are currently still w/n normal range. For months following this surgery during and on femara, it was real tough. I couldn't think straight, walk straight, i was depressed and uncomfortable in my body. As time passed though, I've gotten more comfortable in my body, and now feel better than I did for years prior to diagnosis (despite the daily downer from the femara-sore joints, etc). I no longer have inflammation, chronic fluid retention, and feel more level and grounded emotionally and mentally.  I truly get now why estogen dominance is such a bad thing for breasts and all of the other body's functions. Had I been younger, not as high % on the hormone +, then I might have not seen the benefits that I have had so far. Since I was nearing meno and having all the problems from estogen dominance anyway, I don't regret my choice at all. AND it might have saved my life (at least for a while). I do think that in the very near future, we are going to know more about BC and how to control and balance hormones to prevent disease which will help to allow women to go through natural meno without having to make this grueling decision. Best to you whatever your choice!

I was 40 when diagnosed and my gyno recommended to have my ovaries out for a few reasons.  I had a large cyst on one of the ovaries, my cancer was highly estrogen positive, I didn't know my BRCA status and my mom was adopted, so I don't know her family history, finally I wanted to use the AI's instead of tamoxifen.  Also, one less cancer to worry about seeing as how I was so lucky to be in the 10%.

i had the prophylactic oopherectomy at age 44, i can say that the operation itself was a piece of cake. i was 97% er and pr + and it just made deep internal sense to me to do it. i wouldn't have rested otherwise. i also wanted to take arimidex rather than tamoxifen. first year afterward, TONS of hot flashes, but at three years out those are mostly gone. the aches and pains from arimidex are still there but have subsided as well. i would say my libido has suffered significantly, although all my parts still work, drive is way down. my husband is patient and we are working on that! for me, i have no regrets at all about having had the surgery. it felt, to me, like a really important part of my cancer treatment. even though i have had side effects, i truly feel like i was taking action to save my life. of course, there are no guarantees and it is a very individual decision! but given my highly er pr + status, i would have been a walking bundle of total paranoia about any and all estrogen had i not done it. good luck with your decision. cancer sure does force us to make decisions we shouldnt even have to consider!

I removed my ovaries due to the fact that I wanted to be on an AI and could not unless I was postmenopausal. I didnt plan on having any other children, so it was a no brainer for me. I was ER+ and the ovaries produces a small amount of estrogen, so I wanted them gone. 

The hotflashes were the only true problem for me. And, one year later they are much less. 

I say do what you can. I was out of work for 3 days and I really dont regret it.