Ovaries Removed at Age 25?

[curleysue]

Hi, I am a nursing student who is taking time off from school cause of pelvic pain problems. I have a past medical history that is pretty complicated including endometriosis, polycystic ovarian syndrome, Pulmonary Embolisms, DVT's, Superventricular Tachycardia, PVC's, and low magnesium.

I just recently went to a gynocological oncologist, sent there from a Gyn doctor who says I am too high risk for them. Anyways, this oncologist told me to really consider taking out my ovaries, sparing my uterus and possibly freezing my ovaries for use later by a seraget (sp?) mother. The reason this issue came up is because I have been having severe pelvic pain over the last 2 years, 4-6cm cysts on my ovaries every month and endometriosis covering my bowel, ovaries, bladder, and uterus. The doc said that because of my medical history, I would be a huge risk factor if I were to get pregnant. Because of my blood clots (which I am on coumadin for life), irregular heart, HTN, and low magnesium. He said any high risk OB-GYN doc would say I was crazy to ever think about getting pregnant. Plus the fact that it might be super hard for me to even conceive.

So I am only 25 years old and have a huge decision to make within the next year. Cause my insurance will be gone off of my parents in about a year. So if I am going to do this, I need to do it rather soon. But I don't want to rush into anything without consulting experts and nurses like you guys.

Any suggestions? Any websites that you know of? Will I have a hard time going through menapause? Or do I live with pain for the next 25 years until I naturally go into menapause?

Oh, and I have tried almost every drug there is for endo and polycystic. We did find out that I am insulin resistant and therefore taking Actos or Glucaphage does bring my periods back and decreases the size of the cysts.

So, anyways, any advice? Thanks, curleysue.

[lil' girl, LPN]

I had polycystic ovaries at age 25, put up with it for 2 years, by then could barely stand to walk because of the pain on the right. Had my right ovary removed and a wedge resection on the left at age 27. I still have cysts on the left from time to time but not unbearable. Took me three years each time to get pregnant (2 kids).

As for leaving uterus, I always heard that it would prolapse it you had no ovaries?

Good luck on whatever you decide, just think of your health.

[curleysue]

Thank you so much everyone for your experiences and information. Yes, I am going to get a second opinion and maybe even see a high risk OB-GYN to talk about how bad it would be for me to carry a baby. I just cannot deal with this pelvic pain and I cannot be on pain medications forever! Being a women sucks sometimes, why cannot men have problems like this? I saw on the news the other day about a doctor saying there is no reason why a man cannot carry a child! Excuse me? How?

Anyways, I actually have had 3 opinions all leaning in the way of a hysterectomy so I don't know what to do. I guess I will wait and see how much more of this I can handle. I wish I had a husband, then I could ask what he thought. It sure is hard trying to find a boyfriend let alone a husband in a small Oregon town. Oh well.

Anyways, Riley108 I wanted to ask you about the Yasmin. Is that a herb? Prescription? Any side effects? Any contraindications from medications or blood clots or anything like that? Let me know or let me know where I can find info on it. Thanks alot. And thanks a lot to everyone else. I feel very comfortable talking to people on this wonderful forum.

Curleysue :uhoh21:

I also have PCOS and endometriosis.I would highly recommend getting a second opinion.I was in your situation before.A doctor wanted to remove my right ovary at age 23 and I didn't have anybody to have a baby with.I also felt terrible at the time.This doctor put me on Ortho-Triclen for 2 months.It made me sick.She offered no other medication and recommended a partial hysterectomy.

I changed doctors.My new one put me on Yasmin and I have lost 60 lbs.My symptoms are alot better now.My uterus is upside down.She said that it may just mean I'll have to have a C-section or maybe not even that.Hopefully,my fiance and I will be ttc in about 2 yrs.

I will also say that adoption is a great thing if that turns out that surgery is what's best for you.I wish you all the luck in the world.

[mitchsmom]

Info on Yasmin:

http://www.yasmin-us.com/

I would definitely take advantage of the knowledge of doctors in Portland/ OHSU if I were you. You won't regret that. Good luck with your decision. ((hugs))

[riley108]

Sorry I haven't responded sooner.I've been busy this past week.I have not had any side effects from Yasmin at all.I have recently been put on a different pill schedule bcse of my endometriosis.I'm taking them straight through for 3 months before having a period.I'm confused as to why your doctor is so anxious to remove your ovaries.I would definitely see another doctor.

[curleysue]

Riley 108-

My doctors are so insistant on taking my ovaries out because of many different reasons. I have had 3 doctors now telling me to get them taken out. One major one is that I am in severe pain every month when I develop a cysts and usually have to miss some work lying in bed in a fetal position. So it is affecting my life. Also another reason is that it would be extremely dangerous for me to carry a child since I have have many blood clots, PE, DVT's and am on coumadin. Actually it would be easier to list my problems:

1. Chronic Pain

2. Cysts that develop ever month usually about 3mm, and I can still develop them while being pregnant.

3. Blood Clotting disorder, on coumadin forever cause of PE, DVT's

4. Endometriosis and scar tissue making it really painful

5. Severely low in magnesium requiring IV mag once a week, also low in calcium, potassium and vit D even though I take those vitamins on a reqular basis.

So given the fact that it would be dangerous for me to get pregant why go through 25 years until menapause in pain when I didn't have any children. Does that make since? I don't know. There are a lot of reasons why it would be good to have them out. I can always adopt kids.

So anyways I am going to read up on the Yasmin and talk it over with my doctors.

Take care and thanks for all your input. Curleysue