Right on Time!
You might recall that back on August 29th I mentioned that I was ovulating.
Well, here it is exactly 30 days later and I do believe I've ovulated again. I was a little worried, since I think that one of my ovaries is lazy (one of them skips about twice a year). But here I am, not skipping a beat from my pre-hysterectomy ovulation which was July 27th.
Frankly, I've been worried.
I guess part of it is trying to rationalize the surgery. But I've been on this kick to help inform women about keeping their ovaries. Half of all hysterectomies include removing the ovaries (oophorectomy). I can understand getting rid of them for recurring painful cysts, endometriosis and of course ovarian cancer or having the genetic marker for ovarian cancer/breast cancer. But I really don't understand removing healthy ovaries just because they're down there. I mean, you don't see doctors recommending removal of the testicles when they're doing a vasectomy! Why would doctors want to remove healthy glands?
I know that ovaries in women who have had hysterectomies fail on average five years sooner than women who keep their uterus. I don't want to be one of those. I want my menopause at 56. I want my ovaries to keep producing androgens well into my seventies and eighties. I love my ovaries and I hope they stick around for a long, long time. The fact that I'm ovulating normally is such a huge relief. It almost makes me look forward to PMS, since it means that my hormones are at the same levels as before surgery.
Any questions or feedback? Feel free to email me.
Posted by Elizabeth M. on September 28, 2004 07:38 PM
