Is It Easy to Remove an Ovary
Medically Reviewed By William C. Lloyd III, MD, FACS
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What you can expect after your operation will depend on many factors. For instance, how your surgeon does the procedure will make a difference. So will whether you have one or both ovaries removed.
Those are just two examples. Here's what you should know.
Recovery
How your doctor performs your surgery will affect how long you stay in the hospital. It also will affect how long it'll be before you can get back to your normal daily routine.
Women who have traditional surgery usually stay in the hospital for 2 to 5 days. Most can return to normal activities within 6 weeks. If you have a laparoscopic procedure, you'll probably stay in the hospital for just 1 to 3 days. You may be able to return to your normal routine in just 2 weeks.
Physical and Emotional Changes
Women need to have their ovaries removed for different reasons. Sometimes it's because of cancer, or to prevent cancer. Other reasons include chronic pain, a cyst or infection, or a twisted ovary (called ovarian torsion). The changes you may experience can vary based on your underlying condition. For instance, if you have one ovary removed, you can still get pregnant.
Women with cancer or those at high risk for the disease may have both of their ovaries removed. If you are still menstruating and have both ovaries removed—called a bilateral oophorectomy, you'll experience physical changes because you will go through early menopause. Your hormone levels will drop suddenly and you will stop menstruating. Having both ovaries removed means you will no longer be able to become pregnant.
Menopause symptoms that will begin to develop shortly after surgery may include:
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Lower sex drive
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Tiredness
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Hot flashes
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Irritability
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Mood swings
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Vaginal dryness
Many women feel sad about being infertile and may develop depression. Discuss this possibility with your doctor in advance of surgery and tell your doctor if you experience signs of depression after surgery. Medication can help ease the symptoms.
Early menopause also increases the risk of certain health problems, such as bone loss (osteoporosis) and heart disease. Some younger women who have both ovaries removed may be candidates for hormone replacement therapy. This treatment could help reduce the health risks associated with early menopause.
If you're already in or past menopause, you may still notice changes after ovary removal. Even after menopause, the ovaries would produce some hormones. Without them, menopause symptoms could appear or get stronger.
General Complications from Surgery
All surgery involves risks, but problems resulting from ovary removal are rare. Possible complications include bleeding, blood clots, infection, damage to other organs, and a reaction to anesthesia.
It's important to be aware of warning signs of complications after surgery. Call your doctor right away if you develop any of the following symptoms:
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Chills
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Chest pain
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Coughing
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Fever
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Increased vaginal bleeding or discharge
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Problems breathing
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Redness, swelling, pain or bleeding from your incision site
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Swelling or pain in your leg
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Trouble urinating
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Trouble having a bowel movement
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Severe vomiting
You are at greater risk for these problems if you had pelvic surgery in the past or if you are obese, have diabetes or smoke. Discuss your specific risk of complications with your doctor.
Positive Effects
Ovary removal surgery has positive effects too. For women dealing with chronic pain, the operation has the potential to relieve the pain and greatly improve quality of life. Ovary removal also can ease anxiety among women at high risk for cancer. The operation can cut their risk for breast cancer in half. It can also reduce their risk for ovarian cancer by 90%.
Source: https://www.healthgrades.com/right-care/womens-health/what-to-expect-after-ovary-removal-surgery
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