Removal of the ovaries: consequences and hormone therapy

2023 Author: Alfred Shackley | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-05-21 13:14

Some women believe that the ovaries play an exclusively reproductive role. Indeed, this paired organ is a kind of storage of eggs, which in some way are not yet conceived children. But the list of functions of this reproductive organ is not limited to this.

The ovaries are involved in the production of a huge amount of steroid sex hormones that determine many of the processes in our body.

The hormonal background has a key effect on the general health of all systems, as well as on the psychoemotional state of women. We also owe our grace, sophistication and beauty to estrogens. However, there are situations in which the only salvation for the patient is the removal of the ovaries.

This operation is inevitable in a number of cases, for example, with breast cancer or such dangerous diseases as polycystic ovary disease or a ruptured cyst.

Some inflammatory diseases affecting the pelvic organs lead to irreversible tissue pathologies, which also entails an oophorectomy.

What are the consequences of removing the ovaries in women?

Immediately after oophorectomy, a sharp decrease in the level of sex hormones is observed in a woman's body. Despite the fact that hormones continue to be produced by other organs and tissues, they are not enough for normal life. Regardless of the presence of a uterus, after removal of both ovaries, menstruation completely stops. Ovulation disappears, after which the mucous membranes of the uterus atrophy.

A sharp decrease in estrogen provokes climacteric syndrome. This means that regardless of age, a woman will begin to feel all the characteristic symptoms of menopause. It happens that such an artificial menopause is very weak, but, as a rule, women who have undergone surgery to remove the ovaries are faced with a number of endocrine, nervous and cardiovascular pathologies.

The course of climacteric syndrome often depends on the woman's age at the time of surgery. If the patient's body is going through menopause, then the ovaries have already stopped functioning due to natural causes. The operation of excision of the penis will be simply invisible for women over 50 years old. Often at this age, removal can be shown if multiple ovarian cysts are observed or with a dangerous inflammatory process even in one of them. Also, the operation can accelerate the approach of menopause at the appropriate age for that.

For young women of childbearing age, deprivation of both ovaries is highly undesirable. That is why doctors are trying to take all measures to preserve at least one of the paired organs. Often, due to the timely detection of a gynecological problem and competent therapy, the operation can be avoided. That is why regular visits to the gynecologist and ultrasound examination of the pelvic organs are important.

Nevertheless, the rapid development of a malignant tumor even in one of the organs means the need for excision of both.

Ovarian cancer often affects the female population approaching menopause, but a similar situation can occur at an earlier age. In addition, removal of the ovaries is indicated for stage 4 hormone-dependent breast cancer. This type of malignant tumors is associated with the activity of estrogen and progesterone, which means that the development of the disease cannot be stopped with the normal functioning of the ovaries. First, the girl's periods will disappear, and then climacteric syndrome will come.

In addition to the inability to become a mother, after the operation, a young girl may face a huge number of other problems affecting all body systems, namely:

• hot flashes;
• excessive sweating;
• frequent dizziness;
• migraine;
• blood pressure surges;
• lethargy and fatigue;
• increased heart rate;
• decreased sex drive;
• irritability;
• sleep disorders;
• decreased appetite;
• unpleasant sensation in the vaginal area, dryness;
• increased urination;
• possible disruptions in the functioning of the digestive system.

All these symptoms, as a rule, accompany a woman in the first 2-3 years after the operation. After 3-5 years, disturbances in metabolic processes and in the activity of the endocrine system become more noticeable.

Ovariectomy also significantly increases the risk of developing many diseases.

1. Atherosclerosis. Estrogens tend to protect blood vessels, and its sharp decrease leads to the accumulation of cholesterol plaques.
2. Ischemic heart disease and myocardial infarction.
3. Hypertension and stroke.
4. Osteoporosis. Bones begin to lose calcium quickly and bone tissue regenerates much more slowly. This provokes brittle bones and, as a result, the risk of injury.
5. Deterioration of the condition of the skin and hair. It occurs according to the scenario of age-related changes: wrinkles appear, nails become brittle, hair thinns.
6. Obesity.
7. Glaucoma.
8. Blood clotting disorder.
9. Conjunctivitis.
10. Periodontal disease.

Of course, the set and severity of certain manifestations depends on the individual characteristics of the patient's body. Special therapy aimed at eliminating the deficiency of sex hormones helps to alleviate the course of the climacteric period as much as possible.

Lifestyle features after removal of the ovaries

Hormone replacement therapy is by far the best way to reduce the negative effects of oophorectomy. Such therapy is indicated for women who have undergone surgery, up to menopause, and in other cases for life. However, taking special drugs helps to avoid many of the problems observed with menopause.

In some cases, hormone replacement therapy is contraindicated:

• hormone-dependent tumors of the uterus, kidneys or mammary glands;
• malignant form of melanoma;
• sharp failures in the functioning of the liver;
• thromboembolism;
• porphyria;
• predisposition to cancer of the uterus and mammary glands.

All other contraindications are determined individually by the attending physician.

So, hormone replacement therapy may be undesirable in diseases of the liver and gallbladder, pancreatitis, mastopathy, uterine myoma and many other ailments.

In cases where substitution treatment is not possible, the patient is prescribed homeopathic remedies, natural antidepressants, psychotherapeutic assistance, preventive measures against osteoporosis, as well as spa treatment.

In addition, it is important for such patients to lead an active lifestyle, engage in physical education and practice an optimistic vision of the world.