How does removal of ovaries affect sex life?

This is an automatically translated article.

The article was professionally consulted by Doctor Nguyen Chi Quang, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology - Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology - Vinmec Central Park International General Hospital.
Because of force majeure reasons, many women who are still in the age of sexual activity have to have their ovaries removed, which causes psychological fear that affects the couple's sex life later, in fact. oophorectomy depends on many other factors before deciding whether it has a severe impact on a woman's reproductive and sexual function or not.

1. Functions of the ovaries

The ovaries have two main functions: an exocrine function to produce eggs and an endocrine function to secrete hormones to help a woman develop and maintain female sex and sexual desire. The cells of the ovary secrete 3 sex hormones including: the follicle in the follicle secretes estrogen, the granulosa cells of the corpus luteum secrete progesterone, the cells of the ovary hilum secrete androgens. testosterone - a male sex hormone).
Role of hormones secreted by the ovaries:
Estrogen plays a role in the formation of female secondary sex characteristics during puberty and for maturation and maintenance of the sex organs in a mature functional state. of these agencies. Progesterone prepares the uterus for pregnancy, and secretes milk in the mammary glands. The function of progesterone together with estrogen promotes changes in the endometrium during a menstrual cycle. In which, testosterone is the main determinant of sexual desire. Ovectomy is a surgical procedure to remove one or both ovaries. There are two ways to perform oophorectomy: open surgery, or minimally invasive laparoscopic oophorectomy. and easier to recover. Depending on the specific case, the doctor chooses the appropriate method.
Ovarianectomy as a result of problems with the reproductive organs such as ovarian cancer, endometriosis, tumors or cysts, ovarian abscesses etc. People at high risk of developing Ovarian cancer or breast cancer can also reduce your risk of getting the disease through this procedure.

2. Effects of Ovarian Removal

Ovarian ablation is not something that women are concerned about when after oophorectomy, oophorectomy can affect menstruation, fertility and cause some symptoms of the period. Premenopausal.
2.1 Effect on menstruation If one ovary is removed due to diseases such as ovarian cyst, ovarian abscess... after removing one side, the other ovary still ensures the ability to secrete hormones and the woman Women still menstruate every month.

However, due to some reasons such as ovarian cancer, prevention of high risk of breast cancer or ovarian cancer, if both ovaries are removed, there will be no menstrual period every month.
Removal of both ovaries causes immediate menopause. As a result, a woman may suddenly experience typical symptoms of menopause such as hot flashes, memory problems, mood swings, vaginal dryness, etc. or because of a natural transition. and gradually. In cases of severe discomfort, hormone replacement therapy can provide relief from symptoms.
2.2 Possibility of pregnancy after oophorectomy The possibility of pregnancy after unilateral oophorectomy is still intact . Because the two ovaries work independently, when one is removed, the other is still able to maintain fertility.
Removal of 2 ovaries unable to successfully conceive naturally. If you want to have a baby, you can still get pregnant through IVF by considering egg storage before having an oophorectomy or requesting an egg.
2.3 How does oophorectomy affect sex life? The removal of both ovaries significantly reduces sex drive, although the hormone testosterone is the hormone that maintains sex drive in both men and women, not only secreted by the ovaries but also by the adrenal glands, but The lack of estrogen due to the ovaries has been removed, which will dry and atrophy the vagina, which will greatly affect the sex drive
Also in some cases with benign ovarian tumors on both sides, the doctor does not need to cut the two ovary, but only the tumor is removed, still trying to preserve the healthy tissue of the ovary to maintain endocrine function. The remaining healthy tissue can still work compensatory, does not cause endocrine deficiency and does not affect sex life.
After oophorectomy due to a lack of female sex hormones can cause vaginal dryness and pain during intercourse. To limit this situation, you can use lubricants instead.
The removal of the ovaries is a surgical procedure that is not usually only limited to gynecological cancers. However, after 2 oophorectomy, a woman can still use hormone replacement therapy, to provide additional hormones to maintain a woman's body shape, avoid vaginal dryness, prevent osteoporosis, and maintain sexual desire. sex. However, the use of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is relatively complicated, with a slight increase in the risk of breast cancer and endometrial cancer. Benefits and risks for Obstetricians and Gynecologists. At Vinmec Hospital, there are full facilities for early screening for breast and uterine cancer, and full supply of additional endocrine drugs in case women have 2 ovaries removed.
Before becoming a Doctor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Vinmec Central Park International General Hospital, Dr. Nguyen Chi Quang used to work at Tu Du Hospital and University Hospital of Medicine and Pharmacy in Ho Chi Minh City. Dr. Quang has many years of deep professional experience and strength in the treatment of obstetric and gynecological diseases such as:
Laparoscopic surgery Uterine fibroids Laparoscopic surgery for ovarian tumors Laparoscopic surgery for genital prolapse

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