Oophorectomy

Oophorectomy may be needed to treat problems such as:

• an ovarian cyst
• ovarian torsion (twisted ovary)
• ovarian cancer
• endometriosis
• as part of a hysterectomy, in some situations

Ovarian cysts

An ovarian cyst is a fluid-filled pocket in the ovary. There are different types of ovarian cysts. Sometimes, ovarian cysts can rupture (burst) or bleed (haemorrhagic cyst).

Surgery for an ovarian cyst may involve removal of just the cyst or sometimes the ovary as well.

Ovarian torsion

Sometimes your ovary can move or become twisted. This painful condition is called ovarian torsion. Ovarian torsion is a surgical emergency.

Ovarian torsion causes sudden, severe, sharp pain in your lower abdomen, often with nausea and vomiting.

Early treatment gives the best chance of protecting your ovary and your future fertility.

Large ovarian cysts can sometimes cause your ovary to move or twist. The cyst or entire ovary may need to be removed.

Ovarian cancer

Ovarian cancer occurs when some cells in the ovary start to grow abnormally and develop into cancer.

Ovarian cancer is usually treated with a type of surgery known as a laparotomy. Your doctor will make a long cut in your abdomen (tummy) that allows for the ovaries, fallopian tubes and other organs to be removed if they have been affected.

Some people have a high genetic risk of developing ovarian cancer. They may choose to have their ovaries and fallopian tubes removed to reduce their risk of getting ovarian cancer in the future.

Endometriosis

Oophorectomy may help treat endometriosis in some situations where other treatments have not worked. In severe cases, your uterus, ovaries and fallopian tubes may be removed.

If you need to have an oophorectomy, you will meet with your surgeon and anaesthetist beforehand to discuss the surgery.

You will need to stop drinking and eating for some hours before the surgery. Your doctor will be able to advise you.

You may want to discuss with your doctor whether your procedure will affect your ability to get pregnant in the future.

Knowing what will happen before your surgery will help you feel more prepared. This may also help you manage the physical and emotional changes that often follow the surgery.

Oophorectomy is usually performed under a general anaesthetic so that you are asleep during the procedure.

Your surgeon will make one or more cuts in your abdomen (tummy) to remove your ovary or ovaries. Sometimes the procedure can be done laparoscopically — as keyhole surgery. This is called a laparoscopic oophorectomy. This involves having 3 to 4 small cuts in your abdomen.

Depending on your situation, your surgeon may also remove nearby tissue and organs. They will discuss this with you before the surgery.

You may need to stay in hospital for a few days after an oophorectomy so you can recover. You will be given pain-relief medicine and advised on how to take care of your wound.

If you had a laparoscopy, you may have pain in your shoulder. This pain can be treated:

• with pain-relief medicines
• using a heat pack
• by moving and walking around

You are likely to need some time off work or study to rest at home. Your recovery will depend on:

• the type of procedure you had
• whether it was done by keyhole surgery or open surgery
• why you needed the surgery

Your doctor can talk with you about what to expect in your situation.

They will probably advise you to avoid certain activities such as swimming and heavy lifting for a few weeks.

If you were still having periods and had both ovaries removed, your periods will stop immediately after the surgery. This is called surgical menopause.

Surgical menopause

If both of your ovaries are removed before menopause, this will cause surgical menopause. This means menopause symptoms will start suddenly, and you will no longer be able to become pregnant naturally. Your doctor will talk with you about what to expect, ways to manage menopause symptoms and any fertility concerns you may have.

Like all surgery, oophorectomy carries some risks and possible complications. These may include:

• risks related to anaesthesia
• bleeding
• infection
• damage to nearby organs or structures (such as the bladder, bowel or ureter)
• blood clots

Removing both ovaries causes surgical menopause because hormone levels drop suddenly. This may lead to menopause symptoms and health effects such as:

• hot flushes and night sweats
• sleep problems and changes in mood
• vaginal dryness and changes in sexual function
• reduced bone density, which can increase the chance of osteoporosis
• an increased chance of cardiovascular disease
• changes in memory and thinking, including an increased chance of dementia
• an increased long-term chance of depression and anxiety

For information about ovarian cancer, treatment options and support services, visit Ovarian Cancer Australia (Opens in new tab).

For information about fertility, cancer treatment and reproductive health, visit Your Fertility (Opens in new tab).

For information about inherited cancer risk, BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene mutations, and risk-reducing surgery, visit eviQ (Opens in new tab).

For general information, visit:

• Jean Hailes for Women's Health (Opens in new tab)
• Cancer Council (Opens in new tab)

Visit healthdirect's surgical procedures pages to learn more about:

• preparing for surgery
• how to find the right health professional

For information about surgical menopause, hormone therapy and managing menopause symptoms, visit the Australasian Menopause Society (Opens in new tab).

Languages other than English

The Royal Women's Hospital has fact sheets in Arabic (Opens in new tab) and Chinese (Opens in new tab).

Information for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples

Cancer Australia has information and resources for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples (Opens in new tab) affected by cancer.