Hi just out of interest, has anyone undergone oophorectomy or had to weigh up risks and benefits? I may require one either as an alternative to hormone treatment (ER positive) or because my ovaries are dodgy anyway. I know one should never google, but I have read stuff about it that is a little troubling. What's the good news? And I'm pre-menopausal - how does this affect women thrown into instant menopause? Any good news stories? Sex life, dare I ask?

Hi! @eightdays I have read your intro post along with this post. You must be feeling a little ripped off being back on the roller coaster.No doubt your profession will be an advantage however you are the patient who needs to keep away from Dr Google! The source that should prove helpful is the BCNA website. Here's a link which also has a link within to understand the pathologyhttps://www.bcna.org.au/understanding-breast-cancer/what-is-breast-cancer/And another on the Hormone side of ithttps://www.bcna.org.au/understanding-breast-cancer/treatment/hormone-therapy/As to the ovaries that's a question for the Oncologist. I had zoladex injections and eventually the ovaries shrunk! Yay! But we are all different so try not to get too ahead of yourself, knickers in a knot! Take care

hi @eightdays so sorry to read your posts that you are once again back with bad news. I have had both ovaries removed but 10 years apart due to cysts which were benign. I had key-hole surgery both times and recovery time was very quick so that part of it was relatively easy. After the second op (48yo) I went into instant menopause which wasn’t much fun but was put on HRT. Fast forward 4 years to BC diagnosis so they weren’t connected at all. Hopefully yours are just cysts and nothing suspicious. Good luck with your treatment.

Hi @eightdays. I was actually planning on having an elective hysterectomy when I was diagnosed with cancer. Er+ pr+ HER2-.I was 45 yrs old at the time and peri menopausal. After lumpectomy and radiation I ended up having an oophorectomy. The oncologist said if I was intending to have the op anyway then take everything. Then I could start straight away on AIs instead of tamoxifen. Menopause hasn't been too bad. Compared to some women I think I'm doing ok. It has stopped the night sweats and cold flashes. But I do have hot flushes. They are more intense when I'm on medication. Recovery for me was more difficult after the op because I had a 2nd op at the same time so it was open abdominal cut. Pain control the first 3-4 days was quite an issue. After that things went more smoothly. For all the issues and side effects, having the op was the best thing ever. I had been suffering with menstrual issues for such a long time I was just so glad for it all to be gone.Good luck with your decision.

I got rid of mine three years ago when I had a recurrence. It's not so bad, though the last step into total menopause was a doozy. Mind you I had the op two weeks before chemo started, so everything was all fucked up anyway.Like Karenj I didn't want to faff about with zolodex before AI treatment while my ovaries wound down on their own and since my cancer is hormone hungry, it was a sensible thing to do.I've adjusted to the instant old woman thing. Id have prefered not to, but needs must and it's one less thing to worry about.

@eightdays I had an oophorectomy soon after I recovered from my rad treatment in March 2018. I wasnt on any medication then & am not now. i was already menopausal & "enjoying" all the lovely symptoms that went with it & it didnt change after the operation. The op was keyhole surgery with 1 night in hospital so very easy to recover from. I had the op to lessen my risk of getting ovarian cancer as a secondary, due to the fact that my mum died of the disease when she was 46y.o. My gyny onc & medical team all agreed that it was a no -brainer for me, considering my family history & that I didnt need them anymore! To have that risk taken away from me now is a huge weight lifted & I have no regrets at all. I do now have to monitor my bone density so i take Vit D & calcium & I also keep check on my heart. I love exercising & also do strength training at home with simple hand weights. You're right, you do have to weigh up everything that is important to your situation as every benefit can come with a negative. You just have to find out which is more important to you. Good luck xx

Oophorectomy | BCNA Online Network

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