What Is Ovarian Surgery And Why Would I Need It?

In some cases, ovarian surgery may be needed for certain abnormalities and medical conditions that are diagnosed by your OBGYN. But what is ovarian surgery, and why would you need it? 

What Is Ovarian Surgery? 

While there may be many different types of ovarian surgery that may be required depending on your condition, the following two treatments are, by far, the most common.

• Oophorectomy (ovary removal) – An oophorectomy involves surgically removing one or both of your ovaries, and is also sometimes called an “ovariectomy.” Laparoscopy is usually used to create a few small incisions, and remove the ovaries from your body with the help of a flexible camera. This procedure is also often combined with a hysterectomy to remove the uterus.
  
  
• Ovarian cyst removal – Ovarian cyst removal involves laparoscopic surgery to remove painful cysts from one or both of your ovaries, and provide you with relief from the pain and discomfort of cysts, as well as potential future complications like cancer.

Why Would I Need Ovarian Surgery?

Ovary removal may be required for a few different reasons. It can be done to treat endometriosis and abnormal tissue growth, treat pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), to lower the risk of ectopic pregnancy, and to reduce the level of estrogen in the body to prevent breast cancer.

An oophorectomy may also be done to remove ovarian cysts, abscesses and cancerous cells in the ovaries. In some cases, it’s done as a preventive measure for some women who carry the BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene, which increases the likelihood of certain types of cancers.

As you may expect, ovarian cyst removal is only required if you have one or more cysts growing on your ovaries. Most cysts are harmless, and most women develop at least one cyst in their lifetime. But sometimes, they can be cancerous or cause other issues like abdominal swelling, induce nausea and vomiting and a number of other complications, in which case they will need to be removed. 

Learn More About Ovarian Surgery And Reproductive Health At Our Office!

At Women’s Medical Associates of Nashville, we can provide you with more information about common ovarian issues and surgeries, and give you a comprehensive exam to assess your reproductive health. Contact us online to get started, or give us a call at (615) 329-6745.