Should my ovaries be removed at hysterectomy?

The purpose of this study was to estimate current surgical practice of hysterectomy and prophylactic oophorectomy of UK and Irish consultant gynaecologists. Individual and regional variation in surgical practice and factors influencing surgical practice were assessed. A postal questionnaire was sent to all 1536 consultants in obstetrics and gynaecology currently practising in the United Kingdom and Ireland, with a 52.7% response rate. Approximately 60% of hysterectomies were abdominal, 37% vaginal and 4% laparoscopic-assisted, with junior consultants performing a greater proportion of hysterectomies vaginally. There was a wide variation in method of hysterectomy, both individually and regionally. Only 21% of consultants would routinely consider performing prophylactic oophorectomy and of these the majority would perform this procedure in women aged between 46 and 50 years old. This large variation in surgical practice indicates a need to form a consensus on optimal surgical techniques and to ensure adequate surgical training for all gynaecologists.

Please click on the required question.

• 1 Are heavy periods a common problem?
• 2 What is in my menstrual flow?
• 3 What range of menstrual cycle length is considered to be normal?
• 4 How can menstrual blood loss be measured?
• 5 How can I tell if my periods are abnormally heavy?
• 6 What could be the cause of my very heavy menstrual periods?
• 7 I have been sterilised. Could this be the cause of my heavy periods?
• 8 Should I have tests to find the reason for my heavy periods?
• 9 How will my heavy period problems be investigated?
• 10 What is meant by anaemia due to heavy periods?
• 11 What is intermenstrual bleeding?
• 12 What is a hysteroscopy and D and C?
• 13 What is cervical cautery?
• 14 What happens after the D and C?
• 15 What treatments are available for my heavy periods?
• 16 What are the medical treatments available for heavy periods?
• 17 How do the various medical treatments for heavy periods work?
• 18 What would be reasonable initial treatment for a teenager or young woman with heavy periods?
• 19 What is a hysterectomy?
• 20 What are the indications for hysterectomy?
• 21 What are the risks (complications) of hysterectomy?
• 22 What is vault granulation?
• 23 What are the different types of hysterectomy?
• 24 Is it essential to remove the neck of the womb at hysterectomy?
• 25 Should my ovaries be removed or conserved during hysterectomy?
• 26 How long will I be in hospital when I have my hysterectomy?
• 27 I have had a hysterectomy. Do I still need to have smear tests?
• 28 What are the other surgical alternatives to hysterectomy?
• 29 How do endometrial ablation and hysterectomy compare?
• 30 Are there any psychological effects following hysterectomy?
• 31 How do we decide the best treatment for my period problems?
• 32 Could I have some recommended hysterectomy support groups?
• 33 Are there any support groups?
• Intermenstrual Bleeding - Bleeding between periods.

Thank you for choosing to visit us.

This is the personal website of David A Viniker MD FRCOG, Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist at Whipps Cross University Hospital, London - Specialist Interests - Reproductive Medicine including Infertility, PCOS, PMS, Menopause and HRT.

I do hope that you find the answers to your women's health questions in the patient information and medical advice provided.