To Keep or not to Keep the Ovaries in Hysterectomy Surgery

The Vagina Doctor Podcast with Duncan Turner MDShould Ovaries Be Removed During Gynecologic Surgery? Menopause, Risks, and Hormone TherapyThis episode explains how the decision to remove ovaries during gynecologic surgery depends on whether a patient is premenopausal, perimenopausal, or postmenopausal. Postmenopausally, ovaries produce little measurable estrogen or progesterone, so removal during pelvic surgery can reduce future risks like cysts or malignancy, regardless of hormone replacement therapy. For younger or perimenopausal patients, the choice is more individualized: if menopause is more than five years away, keeping functioning ovaries may preserve hormonal benefits, while removing active ovaries can cause sudden, symptomatic surgical menopause requiring hormone replacement. The script also addresses concerns about faster aging, noting symptoms are largely estrogen-related (vaginal dryness, atrophic vaginitis, urinary frequency/incontinence, pelvic floor issues) and may be mitigated with hormone therapy.00:00 Ovary Decisions in Surgery00:35 Postmenopause Remove Ovaries01:45 Perimenopause Weigh Options02:13 Keeping Ovaries Benefits02:28 Surgical Menopause and HRT02:47 Aging Concerns Explained03:51 Estrogen Loss Symptoms04:28 Personalized Summaryhttps://www.youtube.com/@thevaginadoctorhttps://[email protected]