Ovaries

It wasn’t long ago that having a hysterectomy automatically meant the removal of the cervix and the ovaries. It was, quite frankly, easier for surgeons to simply remove everything while they were in there and so that’s what they did as a rule.

Current research, however, has provided evidence that the ovaries play an important role in women’s overall health. Studies have indicated that oophorectomy, or removal of the ovaries, may lead to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease and hip fracture. You see, those hormones your ovaries give off – even after menopause – do a lot of work. Estrogen helps with muscle coordination, protects your heart, your brain and your bones. It influences your memory and your skin. Additional studies demonstrate a link between oophorectomy and Alzheimer’s disease.

Nowadays most surgeons give careful thought to oophorectomy, and try to avoid it whenever possible. If a woman’s ovaries are diseased or otherwise compromised, then removal may be necessary. In some cases your surgeon may be able to leave one ovary – and believe it or not, that one ovary will take over and do the work of two.

If you have a hysterectomy and are able to keep your ovaries, your body will go through menopause as normal. It’s business as usual as far as they’re concerned!