One or both ovaries (ovaries) can be surgically removed. After the removal of the ovaries, a woman cannot have children and is therefore sterile. An ovrectomy may become necessary due to diseases such as tumors or ovarian cysts.
For example, if one or more large ovarian cysts are present, removal of the ovary may become necessary if pure cyst removal is not possible. But an ovrectomy can also be performed to reduce hormone production. This plays a role, for example, in the treatment of breast cancer (mammary carcinoma), if it is a form of tumor that grows as a function of the estrogens produced in the ovaries.
In addition, under certain circumstances, a twisting of an ovary (ovarian torsion) is an indication for ovarian surgery. The torsion can lead to a cut-off of the blood supply and a very painful ovarian infarction can lead to the death of the ovary. In some cases, fertilisation of an egg within the ovary (ovarian pregnancy) may occur, which may also require removal of the ovary.
However, other causes can also cause pain in the ovaries during pregnancy, which may not lead to an ovarectomy. You can read more about this topic in the article Pain of the ovaries during pregnancy. Usually, the entire ovary is removed.
If the tumors are benign, partial removal may also be considered. An ovarian hysterectomy is when the ovaries and at the same time the uterus are removed. The prophylactic removal of the ovaries is very controversial among doctors and in society.
This is called an ovarectomy, although no disease has yet occurred. Such a prophylactic procedure may only be performed if there is an increased risk of developing a gynecological tumor, which should be reduced by the removal of the ovaries. However, the removal of the ovaries leads to considerable side effects, which is why such an intervention should only be performed under strict indication.
Anatomy of the ovaries (ovaries)
The two ovaries belong to the primary, female sexual organs (corresponding to the male testicle). They are located in the small pelvis on the side of the uterus and have a size of about 3x3x5 centimeters. The ovaries produce the eggs and female sex hormones (estrogen and progesterone).
At childbearing age, the fallopian tube transports the egg from the ovary into the uterus. Inflammation of the ovary is also called oopheritis and usually occurs in combination with inflammation of the fallopian tube (pelvic inflammatory disease). There are a number of benign (e.g.
struma ovarii) and malignant (e.g. ovarian carcinoma) tumours that can occur in the ovaries. Other functional disorders of the ovaries include polycystic ovarian syndrome, ovarian insufficiency and ovarian cysts. With increasing age, the size and function of the ovaries decreases, and the ovarian cycle comes to a standstill during menopause.
If only one ovary is removed, the ovary on the opposite side takes over the production of hormones, which usually causes no symptoms. If, however, both ovaries are removed, there is no fertility afterwards and the woman is sterilized. However, not only the reproductive capacity is affected by the removal of the ovaries, but also the production of important sex hormones.
Oestrogen, progesterone and androgen are produced in the ovaries. These hormones control a variety of important physical and psychological functions in the body. Ovarectomy upsets the balance of the female hormone balance and the menopause begins abruptly.
Due to the hormone deficiency caused by the removal of both ovaries, dizziness, migraine, nausea, but also psychological complaints such as altered sensory perception and sensations up to and including depression can occur. Bone density and muscle mass also decrease. In many cases, the hormone deficiency also leads to sexual problems, often a decrease in sexual desire and the sexual motivation and enjoyment of sexual intercourse is often completely absent.
Typical symptoms of the so-called menopausal symptoms such as sweating, dry mucous membranes, mood swings and insomnia can occur. The physical and psychological complaints caused by the hormone deficiency can be counteracted by hormone replacement therapy. As a rule, the removal of the ovaries is followed by treatment with artificial estrogens and progestins.If both ovaries are removed, there is a sudden stop in hormone production.
The menopause is artificially induced. During the menopause, hormone production is also reduced, but this is a significantly longer period of several years. After the surgical procedure, hormone replacement therapy (hormonal drugs) can take over the slow adaptation of the body to the hormonal situation.
In this way, not only are severe menopausal symptoms alleviated, but the risk of cardiovascular diseases and osteoporosis is also reduced. The ingredients are estrogens and/or progestins. If female hormones are taken over a long period of time, this in turn increases the likelihood of breast cancer, thromboses, strokes and heart attacks.
Hormone replacement therapy is particularly recommended for women who are not yet in the menopause before the procedure. In this way, sudden symptoms resulting from the procedure are reduced. After ovarectomy, it may take some time to find the right dosage and the right preparation. The duration of the therapy depends on the natural onset of the menopause.
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