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Removing ovaries at 63, is this a concern?

Hi, I'm having a hysterectomy due to cervical dysplasia and already having 3 LEEP procedures and no cervix left..  They want to remove my ovaries at the same time.  Being 63 and post menopausal for a while I thought it would be fine but now a bit concerned after reading more on the internet regarding health after. I had an easy menopause before so also not sure if I'll go through it again, but more concerned with health problems that might arise but it seems that this is more for women who are younger e.g. heart disease, dementia etc.  Thanks for your help!
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Hi Cheryl. We are the same age. Since ovarian cancer is rare and our ovaries produce health promoting hormones our whole life, ovary removal even decades after menopause has been shown to do more harm than good. Sadly though far too many gynecologists still remove them unnecessarily. 90+% of these surgeries are unnecessary which is also true of hysterectomy. Some doctors and researchers have called out the overuse of these surgeries as unethical and needing to stop.

What degree of cervical dysplasia do you have as shown on your pathology / biopsy report?

The ovaries as well as the uterus are essential to good health a woman's whole life.  There is extensive medical literature on the harms and increased health risks of their removal even after menopause. Even removal of one ovary is associated with health problems such as dementia and parkinsonism. According to this study, ovary removal even as late as age 75 is associated with increased mortality - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16055568/. This one talks about the many harms - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19702455. It causes accelerated aging - https://wtvr.com/2016/09/29/study-remove-ovaries-age-faster/.

I have connected with many women since my unwarranted hysterectomy and oophorectomy at age 49. Some had surgery in their mid and late 60's and one was 72 and even they felt the effects. The 72 YO said she felt "dead inside" to which many women who have had a hysterectomy and/or oophorectomy can relate. The "Ovaries for Life" website at http://www.overy.org/ lists many of the studies on this subject.

Hysterectomy is likewise damaging in a number of ways. Bladder and boweI problems are common especially in the long-term. Many women lose sexual desire and ability to respond. It destroys the figure since the uterine ligaments are the support structures for the spine, hips and rib cage. These skeletal changes lead to chronic back, hip and leg problems, pain and loss of mobility. Ovarian function is oftentimes impaired by hysterectomy. The HERS Foundation has some helpful info. Hormones Matter has some articles on hysterectomy (use search function).

I will be happy to share more links as well as my personal experience if you would like.
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