When I had my hysterectomy two years ago, my doctor really wanted to take my ovaries at the same time. The reason was that it would prevent ovarian cancer. Fortunately, I had done my own research and found that the ovaries still had value post-menopause. I would not allow them to be removed.

About a month ago,the results of a research study done as a collaborative effort between John Wayne Cancer Institute and Harvard Medical School affirmed my decision.They studied 29,380 women. Over sixteen thousand women had a hysterectomy and bilateral oopherectomy or ovary removal. Over thirteen thousand had a hysterectomy without oopherectomy. The women were followed for 24 years.What the researchers noticed was that although the women without ovaries were at decreased risk for breast cancer and ovarian cancer, they were at increased risk for heart disease, stroke and lung cancer when compared to the women with ovaries in place.This resulted in a higher risk of death from these diseases as well.The risk of dying from ovarian cancer was 0% in those without ovaries and although not 0% it was low in the women with ovaries as well (.26%)

When you consider that 14,700 women die from ovarian cancer and balance it off with the fact that 326,000 women die from heart disease and 86,900 die from stroke each year, it is not a good idea to have women lose their ovaries without balancing the risks and benefits. It makes sense to take the ovaries of those women at high risk for ovarian cancer due to a family history or those who carry the BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene mutations. Otherwise, there is no reason to have them removed. Be informed, make good decisions and stay healthy!