Why your ovaries might be removed

The last thing you might want as a woman is to have your ovaries removed. This is especially so for women who are still in their reproductive years and want children. Unfortunately, sometimes it’s really necessary to undergo ovaries removal (oophorectomy) for the sake of your health.

This is despite the challenges that come with this procedure. A 2009 research published on Sage Journals showed that women who had both ovaries removed were at a higher chance of getting dementia, Parkinson’s disease, and depressive and anxiety disorders.

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So, what are these reasons that necessitate this procedure? Here are some of them:

1. Endometriosis

Endometriosis illustration(HealthDirect) Pulse Live Kenya

Endometriosis is a painful condition that occurs when the endometrium grows outside the uterus. The condition affects the ovaries, fallopian tubes, and the pelvic area. Treatment of endometriosis may require the removal of the ovaries.

2. Pelvic inflammation disease (PID)

Although PID can be treated with antibiotics, sometimes a surgery that involves the removal of the ovaries may be required.

3. Ovarian torsion

torsion(Giphy) Pulse Live Kenya

This is usually an emergency case. It happens when one of the ovaries gets twisted limiting the flow of blood to the ovaries and the fallopian tubes. Although ovarian torsions are rare, they can lead to loss of ovaries if not attended to fast enough.

4. To prevent ovarian cancer

Ovarian cancer(everydayhealth) Pulse Live Kenya

Prevention is better than cure. Women with a genetic history of ovarian cancer are usually at a higher risk of this disease. If someone so close to you such as your mum or sister has had ovarian cancer, the doctor may recommend the removal of your ovaries to protects you from cancer.

5. To prevent breast and uterine cancer

Breast pain and lump(MD Anderson) Causes of breast lumps Pulse Live Kenya

Your ovaries produce estrogen and progesterone. Although these two hormones are necessary for the body, estrogen increases the risk of cancer. For women with a high risk of these types of cancer, the ovaries may be removed to lower the risks.

6. If you have ovarian cancer

If you already have ovarian cancer, then the treatment might include the removal of one or both of your ovaries. This is usually to get rid of the cancerous cells and prevent the spread to other organs of the body.