To remove ovaries or not ??

@Greengirl You're welcome.  Good luck with the decision and I totally understand changing your mind 4 times in an hour. :smile: I was 45 yrs at time of diagnosis and it can be a real "in between" time for some ladies.

@KarynJ thanks so much for sharing your experience.Its VERY helpful to me! I have never heard of the genotype/pharmacogenomic test.Interesting 
I kind of want to do the oophorectomy but at the same time I’m scared to death of it.
Your story is reassuring 
Thanks again for taking time out of your day to share.
Now I’m off to change my mind for the 4th time today lol 
All the best xxx

Hi @Greengirl. Sorry to hear you're having these issues.  Just before I was diagnosed with BC,  I was considering a radical hysterectomy (pre-menopausal, ovaries to remain) or ablation. In the end, I had to put it on hold while I had BC treatment - same as you - lumpectomy and radiation.  When the doctors found out I was considering hysterectomy, they recommended oophorectomy at the same time because I was very ER+ and reasonably PR+.
I decided to ditch the idea of ablation because I thought if it doesn't work, then I have to go through another anesthetic and another procedure.  I don't do well with anesthetic or twilight sedation so I decided, if I'm going to do it, then do it all properly.
So I had the full removal of everything in mid-2018.  Since then, menopause hasn't been as bad as I feared. It hasn't been great, let me tell you, but I don't think I suffered as much as some other ladies.  I was on Letrazole, Aromasin and Tamoxifen for 18 months.  The side effects of these were probably worse than menopause itself.  I've stopped taking the medication altogether.  I weighed up the options and quality of life and decided for me, it was best to stop. I also figure that with ovaries gone, there goes the main source of oestrogen which may help stop the cancer returning and I do all my regular check ups and if I see anything weird I get it checked out straight away.
I also had the BRCA gene test - came back negative.
Another blood test I had was a genotype / pharmacogenomic test.  It costs about $220.  It tests how you react genetically to various medications.  It tests a LOT of medications unfortunately it doesn't test for letrazole or aromasin.  It did however test for my ability to tolerate tamoxifen and came back with a big NO - and recommended find an alternative.
These days I mostly have what I call uncomfortable warmth rather than hot flushes.  So in winter I turn on the fan for a few minutes or in summer I lower the air-con temp for a while until it passes.  Then I'm good to go.
And not having painful periods anymore? OH MY GOODNESS.....YEESSS!!!!! Loving it!

I’m hearing you.Its exhausting! And I wish I had asked my gynaecologist and genetic counsellor a few more questions.I also agree with the ongoing monitoring nuisance.
Good luck with you 12 month scans and everything   x 

Hi again @Greengirl,
I'm also wondering if I will have (more worry and intrusion) ongoing ultrasounds/biopsies to monitor the situation, in which case there may be a strong argument to get rid of the problem permanently - but I don't know the medical implications or pros and cons. I was very low, dazed and confused when I saw the gynecologist. I should have taken someone with me to ask sensible questions, or at least have written a list to go in with. Make sure you do. I'm weary with the BC crap and now this. I lost my usual pedantic focus. This ongoing stress just gets overwhelming and tiring. It'll be 12 months since my BC diagnosis in a few weeks.

Good luck with your decision-making. xxx

@Dory65 interesting! I would imagine Zoladex would have same symptoms as oophorectomy. Now I’m going to google endometrial hyperplasia. I will also have biopsies taken if I go down the endometrial ablation route 
Thanks for your comment x

Interesting discussion. I have endometrial hyperplasia caused by Tamoxifen. Had to stop taking it and now on the monthly Zoladex injections and daily Letrozole combo. Oncologist said the Zoladex injections will go for 12 months and then we'll see if I've gone into menopause. I'm about to turn 55. I will be having hysteroscopy procedure to take biopsies soon. I suppose a hysterectomy and oophorectomy aren't out of the question. What's the difference (health/quality of life) between keeping one's ovaries and uterus (and staying on Zoladex) or having them out? 

@Zoffiel yes your decision sounds like a no brainer. It’s definitely the falling off the cliff... splat lol that I have anxiety about.
Thankyou for your honesty and humour. PS I’m doing plenty of grizzling mixed with a dash of unraveling atm . It’s nice to here other woman’s experiences. At least I have my eyes wide open now. Many Thanks x

@primek Thankyou for sharing.She feels Tamoxifen is making things worse re- heavy bleeding (had a Mirena for heavy bleeding before bc but it had to go😢)Think I will wait until genetic test is back to decide ( I get the result in 6-8 weeks )but she did say even if the Genes are neg I’m still at increased risk of ovarian cancer. So that’s my anxiety. Thanks again sound like you had a very similar predicament x 

I had mine out. Two rounds of hormone hungry BC and still having regular periods at 52, I was recommended Zolodex  injections to go with my Letrazole ( a delicious combination, how could you resist) I decided since I was pretty much out of disposable body parts, the ovaries could go too. 
I know we all reach menopause (if we live long enough ) and even though I was probably close too it, the last step is a doozy when you have your ovaries out. Off the cliff---splat.
I'd do it again if I had too.
A couple of years on I've gotten used to myself, and am still alive to grizzle about the aches and pains. Which I would have ended up with anyway, eventually.