Is it normal to feel sad over the loss of an ovary?

[HoneyBunny84]

Background: Dx in early Feb 2009 with a over 5 cm "hemmoragic cyst" on my ovary via CT scan and TVS and advised watchful waiting.  Didn't feel the cyst and was told two weeks later that it had shrunk.
On April 19, woke up and collapsed in pain. Suspected temporary torsion and upon closer look under another TVS, the cyst had echogenic components and was causing great concern that it would a) torse the ovary again and b) might be neoplastic in nature (tumor). Quickly scheduled a laporosopy 11 days later and although noncancerous, the ovary was not salvageable and had to be removed. The cyst had completely encompassed my ovary and taken over.

I'm a 24 year old otherwise healthy female yet feel depressed and devastated over the sudden loss of my ovary with no previous dx of endo or any history of menstrual problems or cysts. I had gone in a 2 month period from thinking the cyst was on the outside of my ovary and shrinking to it becoming a suspicious mass that was torsing my ovary which quickly caused me to loss my ovary.

Is it normal to feel sad? Do women feel less feminine? What hormonal changes can I expect in the coming weeks?

Are freezing some eggs out of my remaining ovary a recommended option to ensure fertility in coming years?

[Sandymac]

I'm way past menopause, so there would have been no "hormonal" reason for a slight period of "the blues" following my laparoscopy and removal of ovary and tube. I think probably it is a "let down" from the tension before the procedure and possible relief that everything turned out well. It seems fairly common.

We're all very different in our healing process. It does take a little longer to heal internally . It appears that it's only been a few weeks right? I'm sure you will phsically feel back to normal any day now. Again, we're all different , but after about 2 weeks , most of us are back to our usual routines..

And, don't worry about the loss of the ovary and fertility. Nothing will happen to alter your feelings of femininity , and  your other ovary will take over the job of the "missing " ovary. and ... speaking from experience of my own and my friends: I'm waaaay past menopause and feel no different than I did when I was younger.. Don't forget a lot is truly  "in your head" .. The best is yet to come !!!! Take care and don't worry !!!! Feel better..

Sandy

[MarieMichele]

Many of us have written about having some kind of post-op blues, crying spells, depression, etc. and it's not just related to ovary loss or hormone related, although that could be part of it as well.  It seems to also be post-op release of anxiety and part of the physical and emotional healing process.  Even us post-menopausal ladies have had the blues afterwards when ovary loss really makes no big difference in our lives.

If you still have one ovary, it will take over for the lost one.  Just give it some time for your body to adjust.  If it's still healthy, you're still fertile. Ask your doctor to be sure.  Give yourself time to heal!  These surgeries are a much bigger deal than often advertised and internal healing takes longer than what is visible externally.