Hi ladies
I'm nearly 59, had a TVH ten years ago but left with my ovaries. Had fabulous recovery and started Estradot oestrogen shortly afterwards. No problems at all, other than having to play about with dosages over the years.
In November last year, I started to get odd lower pelvic pain and a lot of abdominal bloating. The pain was rather like period pains of the long and distant past. Went to GP, had ultrasound scan and turns out I have a 6cm simple cyst. I'm aware that having a cyst at my age, can be suspicious, but it is believed that I have probably had this for some time (as it's a simple cyst), and that it's only now that it's causing probs.
I have had a CA-125 blood test for ovarian cancer screening and it came back all clear... reading very low. I am aware that you can still have ovarian cancer, and have a low CA-125, but as my cyst is a 'simple' one, I am not at all worried that it's cancer, even though my symptoms are all fairly trademark.
I had a follow up (watchful waiting) scan 6 weeks later and it was still there and discomfort is awful. Dragging sensation and lower back pain..absolute exhaustion and so bloated, that I can't do up any of my clothes.
I had a fabulous consultation with a consultant gynaecologist, Mr Kaloo (Gloucestershire NHS) who I was incredibly impressed with. It was refreshing to talk to someone who was progressive and very supportive of transdermal HRT for someone with my history. We discussed that it would be better to not only remove the cyst, but also the ovary. And for me to consider having the other ovary removed, just incase I had further cysts.
I am now on a waiting list for surgery (it's 4 months as I believe... urgh!), as I've been in pain and very uncomfortable since November 2018, it seems like an age to wait. I do not have a date yet, but have asked to be put on a cancellation list.
I had no hesitation at all, regarding removal of my ovaries. I'm not a worrier by nature and surgery does not bother me. In order to feel better, I need to have this and I am looking forward to feeling better. I am unable to eat much at all without feeling full (yes, I know, another ovarian cancer symptom).
I will have the surgery done, laparoscopically and I'm aware that the healing time will be around 6 weeks.
I was wondering if any ladies had had their ovaries removed post menopause, without it being cancer. And apart from the healing from the operation, whether you felt better having had them removed.
As I'm on HRT anyway, the gynaecologist said there would be no shock to the system, and that even though ovaries still produce oestrogen and testosterone, at my age, it is a small amount.
Be super to hear from anyone who has had this operation. Many thanks.