Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhat It IsPurposeHow to PrepareWhat to ExpectRecoveryLong-Term Care
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
What It Is
Purpose
How to Prepare
What to Expect
Recovery
Long-Term Care
Oophorectomy involves the removal of one or both ovaries. This operation may be done to treat a number of ovarian diseases, includingendometriosisand benign or cancerous ovarian masses. Oophorectomy may also be performed as a preventive surgery in women at high risk for developingovarian cancer.
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Determining if an Ovarian Mass Is Ovarian Cancer
What Is an Oophorectomy?
Ovaries are almond-shaped glands located on either side of the uterus. Oophorectomy is surgery to remove one or both of these glands. Sometimes, an oophorectomy is combined with another surgery.
The different types of oophorectomy and combination procedures are as follows:
The surgery may be scheduled ahead of time, or it may be performed emergently if there is an immediate risk to your health.
Surgical Approaches
The three surgical approaches that may be used to perform an oophorectomy include:
Laparoscopic oophorectomy has a smaller risk of infection, pain, and postoperative complications and is associated with a shorter hospital stay.That said, a laparotomy is generally preferred if the ovary is large or there is suspicion of cancer.
Contraindications
There are no absolute contraindications to an oophorectomy.
One exception is that a bilateral prophylactic (preventive) oophorectomy is contraindicated in premenopausal women who have an average risk for ovarian cancer.
In a study inMayo Clinic Proceedings,women younger than 46 years who had a preventive oophorectomy were at an increased risk for developing severe chronic conditions (e.g., depression,chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, heart disease, andosteoporosis, to name a few).
Potential Risks
Besides storing and protecting the eggs a woman is born with, the ovaries release an egg every month for possible fertilization. They also produce hormones that control a woman’smenstrual cycle.
As such, surgical removal of one ovary (unilateral oophorectomy) can cause fertility problems.
Surgical MenopausePremenopausal women who undergo a bilateral oophorectomy go immediately and permanently intomenopauseafter surgery. This is because their ovaries can no longer releaseestrogen. As a result of entering menopause, women are also rendered infertile and can no longer conceive naturally.
Surgical Menopause
Premenopausal women who undergo a bilateral oophorectomy go immediately and permanently intomenopauseafter surgery. This is because their ovaries can no longer releaseestrogen. As a result of entering menopause, women are also rendered infertile and can no longer conceive naturally.
Beyond this, oophorectomy comes with general surgical risks, like bleeding and infection, and those related to the administration of anesthesia.
Risks specific to oophorectomy include:
Purpose of Oophorectomy
The purpose of an oophorectomy is to treat a cancerous or diseased/damaged ovary or to reduce the symptoms of a benign ovarian condition.
Oophorectomy may also be performed to prevent ovarian cancer in select high-risk patients.
The various ovarian conditions that may warrant an oophorectomy include:
If it’s determined that you need an oophorectomy, various tests for medical and anesthesia clearance will be ordered.
Such tests include:
If you have been diagnosed with ovarian cancer, acolonoscopy, chest X-ray, and/orPET scanmay be performed to determine if the cancer has spread. Your healthcare provider will also draw aCA-125 blood testbefore you undergo surgery (or any other cancer treatment).
Once you are scheduled for an oophorectomy, your medical team will give you instructions on how to best prepare.
Location
Your operation will take place in a hospital or surgical center.
If your surgery is in a hospital, you may be admitted the night before (depending on the timing of your operation and your surgeon’s preference).
If your surgery is being done as an outpatient, or you are not being admitted the night before, confirm the time of arrival for your operation with your surgeon. They usually like patients to arrive a couple of hours early.
Food and Drink
You may be advised to eat a light, low-fat dinner the night before your surgery.
You may be instructed to stop eating solid foods after midnight. In most cases, you will be allowed to drink clear liquids and chew gum up to eight hours before surgery.
If you drink alcohol, do not do so after 8:00 pm the night before your surgery (though refraining sooner is better).
Medications
You may be advised to stop taking certain medications for a designated period of time. For instance, most surgeons advise patients to stop takingnonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)a week before surgery.
Tell your surgeon if you are taking aspirin or another blood thinner likewarfarin. Blood thinners may or may not need to be discontinued prior to surgery, depending on the reason you are taking them.
To help prevent surgical complications, it’s essential to inform your surgical/anesthesia team of all of the drugs you are taking, including prescription and over-the-counter medications, dietary supplements, herbal remedies, and recreational drugs.
Lastly, your surgeon may advise you to take laxatives to clear your bowels prior to surgery. If your surgeon is recommending abowel prep, clarify the precise regimen, so you don’t inadvertently over- or underdo it.
What to Wear and Bring
You may be asked to shower the night before surgery with a special antibacterial soap. This will help prevent infection. After you shower and on the morning of your surgery, do not apply any lotion, perfume, or deodorant.
Since you will change into a hospital gown upon arrival at the hospital or surgical center, it’s a good idea to wear loose-fitting clothes that are easy to remove. Leave all jewelry and body piercings at home and bring a small amount of cash or a credit card to pay for small items (if needed) during your hospital stay.
Make sure you bring your driver’s license, insurance card, and a list of your medications. Leave your bottles of pills at home, unless instructed otherwise.
If you are staying overnight in the hospital, be sure to pack the following items in your bag or suitcase:
Pre-Op Lifestyle Changes
Getting regular aerobic exercise, like swimming or biking, before surgery can help you recover faster and easier. Check with your medical team to see if this is appropriate for you.
Be sure to have an honest talk with your medical team about what and how much you drink if you consume alcohol.
While the sooner you quit smoking, the better, quitting even a few days before your surgery can help prevent complications like poor wound healing or adverse anesthesia effects. If desired, your medical team can refer you to asmoking cessation programfor support and guidance.
Fertility Preservation
If you want to have children, talk with your healthcare provider about your options. There may be ways to preserve your ability to become pregnant after having an oophorectomy, depending on your particular situation. Ask your practitioner to refer you to a fertility doctor who can review your options with you.
For example, you can potentially freeze your eggs beforehand (assuming the surgery isn’t urgent). You may then be able to get pregnant after surgery throughin vitro fertilization—unless your uterus is also removed, in which case surrogacy is an option.
What to Expect on the Day of Surgery
On the day of your oophorectomy, you will arrive at the hospital and check-in at the front desk.
Before the Surgery
After checking in, you may be taken to a pre-operative room where you will change out of your clothes into a hospital gown. A nurse will then review your medication list, record yourvitals, and place an intravenous (IV) line for administering fluids and medications into a vein in your hand or arm.
Your surgeon will come to greet you and briefly review the operation with you. You may need to sign a consent form at this time, mostly pertaining to the risks associated with the surgery. Youranesthesiologistwill also come to say hello and review the anesthesia process and potential risks involved.
From there, you will be walked or wheeled on a gurney into the operating room.
During the Surgery
Upon entering the operating room, the surgical team will transfer you onto a table.
If you are receiving general anesthesia, the anesthesiologist will administer inhaled or intravenous medication to put you to sleep. You will not remember anything that occurs during the procedure after this point.
Next, anendotracheal tubewill be inserted into your windpipe. This tube is connected to aventilatorthat takes control of your breathing during the operation.
If you are having a vaginal hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, you may instead undergo regional anesthesia. If this is the case, the anesthesiologist will inject a numbing medication into your spine. You may feel a stinging sensation as the medication is being injected. You will also be given a sedative to help you fall asleep during the surgery.
Once you are asleep from the anesthesia or sedation, a surgical assistant will insert aFoley catheterto drain urine during the operation. Inflatable compression devices may also be placed on your legs to help prevent post-operativeblood clots.
While the precise flow of your surgery will vary depending on the surgical approach used and whether other surgeries are also being performed, you can generally expect the following:
How Long Does an Oophorectomy Take?Depending on the surgical approach used and whether other surgeries are also being performed (e.g., hysterectomy), an oophorectomy takes around one to two hours to complete.
How Long Does an Oophorectomy Take?
Depending on the surgical approach used and whether other surgeries are also being performed (e.g., hysterectomy), an oophorectomy takes around one to two hours to complete.
After the Surgery
In the recovery room, you will slowly wake up from anesthesia or sedation. A nurse will monitor your vital signs and help you manage common post-operative symptoms like pain and nausea.
Once you are fully awake and alert, you will be discharged home (if an outpatient surgery) or wheeled to a hospital room (if an inpatient surgery).
Most patients who are admitted after undergoing an oophorectomy stay in the hospital for two to three nights.
Pain medication will be given through your IV at first; you will be switched over to an oral drug before you leave the hospital. Your Foley catheter will also be removed before going home.
In terms of eating after surgery, you will be advised to slowly advance your diet, starting with ice chips and proceeding to liquids and solids, as tolerated.
As you recover, you can expect the following:
Wound Care
You should be able to shower 24 hours after your operation. Your medical team will advise you to gently wash your incision site(s) and pat them dry with a clean towel afterward.
Your adhesive strips/surgical glue should come off on their own within 10 days after surgery. If they have not, you should be able to gently remove them on your own (get approval from your medical team first, however).
Activity
You may have specific activity guidelines to follow after surgery, such as:
When to Seek Medical AttentionCall your medical team if you experience any of the following symptoms:Fever or chillsSevere and/or persistent nausea or vomitingWorsening or severe painRedness, warmth, swelling, or abnormal discharge from your incision site(s)
When to Seek Medical Attention
Call your medical team if you experience any of the following symptoms:Fever or chillsSevere and/or persistent nausea or vomitingWorsening or severe painRedness, warmth, swelling, or abnormal discharge from your incision site(s)
Call your medical team if you experience any of the following symptoms:
You can expect to follow up with your surgeon about two weeks after you are discharged.
During this appointment, your surgeon will do the following:
Menopause and Hormone Replacement Therapy
If you are premenopausal and had both of your ovaries removed, expect to enter menopause immediately after surgery.
Symptoms ofmedical or induced menopause(e.g., hot flashes, vaginal dryness, etc.) are the same as natural menopause, but they tend to be more severe and prolonged due to the abrupt loss of ovarian function.
The sudden estrogen depletion of an oophorectomy is also associated with more severe health consequences than natural menopause, such as an increased risk ofcoronary artery disease,stroke, cognitive problems, mood disorders,osteoporosis, sexual dysfunction, and early death.
As a result,hormone replacement therapy (HRT)is generally recommended right after surgery until the typical age of natural menopause (around 51).
In addition to easing the symptoms of surgical menopause, HRT reduces the risk of developing the long-term health conditions associated with early menopause.
That said, there are some risks associated with taking HRT and not everyone is a candidate. It’s best to talk with your medical team about HRT prior to your operation, if possible.
Keep in mind, if you decide to take HRT, you will need regular follow-up with your gynecologist to have your hormone levels checked.
Possible Future Surgeries/Therapies
With a diagnosis of ovarian cancer, you may require additional therapies likechemotherapyor targeted therapy. In some cases, radiation is recommended. Another surgery may be needed if the cancer recurs and/or spreads.
Coping
If you underwent an oophorectomy, especially for cancer or another serious diagnosis, it’s normal to experience a whirlwind of emotions. You may feel down, worried, fearful, angry, or irritable.
Try to be kind to yourself in the weeks and months following your surgery and reach out to loved ones for support.
Talk to your surgeon or primary care doctor if you experience symptoms ofdepressionbefore or after surgery. You may benefit from seeing a counselor or therapist.
A Word From Verywell
Undergoing an oophorectomy tends to be more involved than perhaps other abdominal operations because of the surgery’s potential implications—immediate menopause, infertility, managing a cancer diagnosis, etc.
Continue to remain proactive about learning as much as you can about this surgery. Don’t forget to reach out to your surgical team with any questions or concerns. They are there to help you and ensure that your operation goes as smoothly as possible.
13 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Cleveland Clinic.Oophorectomy.Medeiros LR, Rosa DD, Bozzetti MC, et al.Cochrane Database Syst Rev.Laparoscopy versus laparotomy for benign ovarian tumour. 2009(2):CD004751. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD004751.pub3UpToDate.Oophorectomy and ovarian cystectomy.Lawson AA, Rentea RM.Oophorectomy. In:StatPearls. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2022.Rocca WA, Gazzuola-Rocca L, Smith CY, et al.Accelerated accumulation of multimorbidity after bilateral oophorectomy: a population-based cohort study.Mayo Clin Proc.2016;91(11):1577-89. doi:10.1016/j.mayocp.2016.08.002American Cancer Society.Tests for ovarian cancer.Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.About your bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy.Mayo Clinic.Oophorectomy (ovary removal surgery).BreastCancer.org.Prophylactic ovary removal: what to expect.Kaiser Permanente.Learning About Oophorectomy.Rodriquez M, Shoupe D.Surgical Menopause.Endocrinol Metab Clin North Am.2015;44(3):531-42. doi:10.1016/j.ecl.2015.05.003Secosan C, Balint O, Pirtea L, Grigoras D, Bălulescu L, Ilina R.Surgically induced menopause—a practical review of literature.Medicine (Kaunas).2019;55(8):482. doi:10.3390/medicina55080482Sarrel PM, Sullivan SD, Nelson LM.Hormone replacement therapy in young women with surgical primary ovarian insufficiency.Fertil Steril.2016;106(7):1580–1587. doi:10.1016/j.fertnstert.2016.09.018
13 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Cleveland Clinic.Oophorectomy.Medeiros LR, Rosa DD, Bozzetti MC, et al.Cochrane Database Syst Rev.Laparoscopy versus laparotomy for benign ovarian tumour. 2009(2):CD004751. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD004751.pub3UpToDate.Oophorectomy and ovarian cystectomy.Lawson AA, Rentea RM.Oophorectomy. In:StatPearls. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2022.Rocca WA, Gazzuola-Rocca L, Smith CY, et al.Accelerated accumulation of multimorbidity after bilateral oophorectomy: a population-based cohort study.Mayo Clin Proc.2016;91(11):1577-89. doi:10.1016/j.mayocp.2016.08.002American Cancer Society.Tests for ovarian cancer.Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.About your bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy.Mayo Clinic.Oophorectomy (ovary removal surgery).BreastCancer.org.Prophylactic ovary removal: what to expect.Kaiser Permanente.Learning About Oophorectomy.Rodriquez M, Shoupe D.Surgical Menopause.Endocrinol Metab Clin North Am.2015;44(3):531-42. doi:10.1016/j.ecl.2015.05.003Secosan C, Balint O, Pirtea L, Grigoras D, Bălulescu L, Ilina R.Surgically induced menopause—a practical review of literature.Medicine (Kaunas).2019;55(8):482. doi:10.3390/medicina55080482Sarrel PM, Sullivan SD, Nelson LM.Hormone replacement therapy in young women with surgical primary ovarian insufficiency.Fertil Steril.2016;106(7):1580–1587. doi:10.1016/j.fertnstert.2016.09.018
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Cleveland Clinic.Oophorectomy.Medeiros LR, Rosa DD, Bozzetti MC, et al.Cochrane Database Syst Rev.Laparoscopy versus laparotomy for benign ovarian tumour. 2009(2):CD004751. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD004751.pub3UpToDate.Oophorectomy and ovarian cystectomy.Lawson AA, Rentea RM.Oophorectomy. In:StatPearls. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2022.Rocca WA, Gazzuola-Rocca L, Smith CY, et al.Accelerated accumulation of multimorbidity after bilateral oophorectomy: a population-based cohort study.Mayo Clin Proc.2016;91(11):1577-89. doi:10.1016/j.mayocp.2016.08.002American Cancer Society.Tests for ovarian cancer.Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.About your bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy.Mayo Clinic.Oophorectomy (ovary removal surgery).BreastCancer.org.Prophylactic ovary removal: what to expect.Kaiser Permanente.Learning About Oophorectomy.Rodriquez M, Shoupe D.Surgical Menopause.Endocrinol Metab Clin North Am.2015;44(3):531-42. doi:10.1016/j.ecl.2015.05.003Secosan C, Balint O, Pirtea L, Grigoras D, Bălulescu L, Ilina R.Surgically induced menopause—a practical review of literature.Medicine (Kaunas).2019;55(8):482. doi:10.3390/medicina55080482Sarrel PM, Sullivan SD, Nelson LM.Hormone replacement therapy in young women with surgical primary ovarian insufficiency.Fertil Steril.2016;106(7):1580–1587. doi:10.1016/j.fertnstert.2016.09.018
Cleveland Clinic.Oophorectomy.
Medeiros LR, Rosa DD, Bozzetti MC, et al.Cochrane Database Syst Rev.Laparoscopy versus laparotomy for benign ovarian tumour. 2009(2):CD004751. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD004751.pub3
UpToDate.Oophorectomy and ovarian cystectomy.
Lawson AA, Rentea RM.Oophorectomy. In:StatPearls. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2022.
Rocca WA, Gazzuola-Rocca L, Smith CY, et al.Accelerated accumulation of multimorbidity after bilateral oophorectomy: a population-based cohort study.Mayo Clin Proc.2016;91(11):1577-89. doi:10.1016/j.mayocp.2016.08.002
American Cancer Society.Tests for ovarian cancer.
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.About your bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy.
Mayo Clinic.Oophorectomy (ovary removal surgery).
BreastCancer.org.Prophylactic ovary removal: what to expect.
Kaiser Permanente.Learning About Oophorectomy.
Rodriquez M, Shoupe D.Surgical Menopause.Endocrinol Metab Clin North Am.2015;44(3):531-42. doi:10.1016/j.ecl.2015.05.003
Secosan C, Balint O, Pirtea L, Grigoras D, Bălulescu L, Ilina R.Surgically induced menopause—a practical review of literature.Medicine (Kaunas).2019;55(8):482. doi:10.3390/medicina55080482
Sarrel PM, Sullivan SD, Nelson LM.Hormone replacement therapy in young women with surgical primary ovarian insufficiency.Fertil Steril.2016;106(7):1580–1587. doi:10.1016/j.fertnstert.2016.09.018
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