Question 63

One Ovary With Menopausal Symptoms

Dear Doctor N:

I am very close to someone who has had one of her ovaries removed for 17 years now. Since then she hasn't felt the same. She has been taking estrogen pills and that hasn't helped either. She has become very paranoid. I was wondering if having one of her ovaries removed would contribute to this?

Thanks

Reply:

I can't specifically know about your person, but it can. If it is hormone related she can feel better with appropriate HRT. She could go to someone with expertise in HRT and see if it helps. I have treated many patients with similar histories and many have regained their previous quality of life. In these patients you know at least retrospectively, that the problem was hormonal.

Some patients just don't do well with one ovary. She can have some blood tests taken, but even if they are normal it still may be the problem.

If you would look at the section of the web site, Ovarian Failure Following Hysterectomy, which is under the Hysterectomy heading on the Main Menu of the home page, www.drn4u.com the principle is the same as discussed in that section.

Dr N