Ovary Removal Isn’t Just a Side Note—It’s a Life-Altering Decision

If you’ve been told you might need a hysterectomy, there’s one follow-up question many women overlook—but absolutely should ask:

“Will my ovaries be removed, too?”

It might seem like a minor detail, especially if you're not planning to have more children. But removing your ovaries—called an oophorectomy—can have massive, long-term impacts on your health, energy, and even your lifespan.

According to Dr. Felice Gersh, a renowned integrative OB/GYN, preserving the ovaries is critical—especially before menopause or age 65. Why? Because the consequences of ovary removal without hormone therapy can be devastating.

Let’s unpack the science and show you what options you have—so you can make informed, empowered decisions about your body.

What Do the Ovaries Actually Do? (Hint: It’s More Than Fertility)

Most people associate ovaries with fertility. Once we’re done having kids, we tend to think they’re obsolete.

Nothing could be further from the truth.

Your ovaries are powerful endocrine organs. They produce three essential hormones:

• Estrogen – supports cardiovascular health, bone strength, brain function, and skin elasticity
  
  

• Progesterone – promotes sleep, calm mood, and brain balance
  
  

• Testosterone – fuels libido, muscle mass, motivation, and energy
  
  

These hormones don’t just regulate menstrual cycles—they protect you from disease. Even after menopause, ovaries continue producing small but vital levels of these hormones.

Remove the ovaries, and the hormonal foundation of your body collapses. Unless you replace those hormones, the risks start to rise—and fast.

The Life-Threatening Risks of Oophorectomy Before Menopause or Age 65

Here’s what the research shows when ovaries are removed without immediate hormone therapy:

• 🔺 35x higher risk of dying from cardiovascular disease (heart attack or stroke)
  
  

• 🔺 300%+ higher risk of dying from osteoporotic fractures
  
  

• 🔺 Increased risk for Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and other neurodegenerative diseases
  
  

• 🔺 Dramatic rise in anxiety, depression, and insomnia
  
  

• 🔺 Accelerated skin aging, loss of libido, fatigue, and metabolic slowdown
  
  

These are not rare side effects—they are well-documented outcomes from abrupt estrogen loss caused by ovary removal.

The body enters surgical menopause, which is far more intense than natural menopause. The hormonal drop-off is instant, not gradual. Without estrogen, your body and brain begin to deteriorate quickly—unless you replace what’s missing.

“Preserving the ovaries is vital for long-term health and disease prevention. Removing them unnecessarily is an outdated practice.” – Dr. Felice Gersh

Even If Ovaries Are Left In, They May Still Be Affected

You might be thinking: “Well, I kept my ovaries during my hysterectomy. I should be fine, right?”

Not necessarily.

Studies show that when the uterus is removed, blood flow to the ovaries drops by roughly 10%. That may not sound like much—but it's enough to trigger early ovarian failure or accelerated menopause, often a full year earlier than average.

Even if your ovaries weren’t removed, they may start producing less estrogen, testosterone, and progesterone—resulting in symptoms like:

• Mood swings
  
  

• Hot flashes
  
  

• Weight gain
  
  

• Brain fog
  
  

• Vaginal dryness
  
  

• Low libido
  
  

In short, many women experience silent surgical menopause without even realizing it.

When Is Ovary Removal Medically Justified?

There are times when removing the ovaries is the right call. These include:

• Ovarian cancer or tumors
  
  

• Severe endometriosis or chronic pelvic disease
  
  

• BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutation with high cancer risk
  
  

• Abscesses or ruptured cysts
  
  

But all too often, women are told, “Let’s just take the ovaries too, just in case.”

This fear-based approach, common in past decades, is now being challenged by modern experts. Unless you have a clear medical reason, the benefits of keeping your ovaries far outweigh the risks of removing them.

The Critical Role of Hormone Therapy After Ovary Removal

If you’ve already had your ovaries removed—or if they’re no longer functioning—you are not out of options.

In fact, hormone replacement therapy (HRT) can dramatically improve your symptoms, slow aging, and protect you from the risks listed above.

At Steel City HRT, we specialize in bioidentical hormone therapy—hormones that are molecularly identical to what your body naturally produces.

Here’s what HRT can do for you:

• ✅ Improve energy, sleep, and mood
  
  

• ✅ Reduce hot flashes, night sweats, and brain fog
  
  

• ✅ Restore sex drive and improve intimacy
  
  

• ✅ Strengthen bones and prevent fractures
  
  

• ✅ Lower the risk of heart disease, diabetes, and cognitive decline
  
  

Our protocols are tailored to each woman’s unique labs, symptoms, and goals. We don’t believe in cookie-cutter medicine.

“Hormones are not the enemy—they’re the key to healing after hysterectomy and oophorectomy.”

Don’t Let Outdated Advice Cost You Your Future

The truth is: too many women are undergoing ovary removal without full understanding of the risks.

They're being dismissed.
They're being misled.
They're being left to struggle alone with brain fog, exhaustion, and despair.

But you deserve more than that. You deserve answers. You deserve options.
And you deserve a hormone therapy specialist who sees you—and knows how to help.

It’s Not Too Late to Take Control of Your Health

Whether your surgery was 2 weeks ago or 10 years ago, it’s never too late to take action.

At Steel City HRT, we offer in-depth hormone testing, personalized therapy plans, and compassionate providers who specialize in women’s hormone health.

You don’t have to live at 50% anymore.
You don’t have to accept fatigue, anxiety, or bone loss as “normal.”
You can feel like yourself again—strong, centered, and vibrant.

Schedule Your Consultation Today

Let’s talk about what your body really needs.

👉 Click here to schedule your consultation
📱 Or call us directly at 719-669-4223

We’re ready to help you reclaim your hormones—and your life.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is it safe to keep my ovaries during a hysterectomy?
A: Yes, unless there's a specific medical reason to remove them. Preservation is usually safer and promotes long-term health.

Q: What if my ovaries were removed years ago—can HRT still help?
A: Absolutely. Hormone therapy can be beneficial even years after oophorectomy. It’s never too late to optimize your hormones.

Q: Do I still need hormone therapy if I kept my ovaries?
A: Maybe. Some women experience early menopause or low hormone levels post-hysterectomy due to reduced blood flow. Testing can determine your needs.

Q: Is bioidentical hormone therapy safe?
A: Yes. Bioidentical hormones are considered safe and effective when prescribed by trained providers and monitored properly.

References (APA 7 Style)

Gersh, F. L. (2022). Menopause: 50 Things You Need to Know. New World Library.

Parker, W. H., Broder, M. S., Chang, E., Feskanich, D., & Shoupe, D. (2009). Ovarian conservation at the time of hysterectomy and long-term health outcomes. Obstetrics & Gynecology, 113(5), 1027–1037. https://doi.org/10.1097/AOG.0b013e3181a11c64

Rocca, W. A., Gazzuola-Rocca, L., & Smith, C. Y. (2016). Long-term effects of bilateral oophorectomy on brain aging and Alzheimer’s disease. Current Opinion in Obstetrics and Gynecology, 28(1), 18–25.

North American Menopause Society. (2023). Hormone therapy in surgical menopause. https://www.menopause.org