The short explanation
If both ovaries are removed, menopause starts straight away, because the ovaries are the main source of oestrogen. This is called surgical menopause, and symptoms such as hot flushes and night sweats can begin within days and may be stronger than with natural menopause. If the ovaries are kept, menopause usually comes naturally later, although some women reach it a little earlier after a hysterectomy. Whether to remove the ovaries depends on the reason for surgery. Sometimes it is clearly recommended, for example with certain cancer risks. Other times the ovaries can be kept. You can ask your surgeon to explain the reasons and the alternatives.
What depends on your situation
The parts of this that change from woman to woman. Uncertainty is stated, not hidden.
- Removing ovaries before natural menopause can affect bone and heart health in the long term, so many women are offered hormone therapy afterwards, if suitable.
- A family history of ovarian or breast cancer, or known gene changes, may make removal more strongly advised.
- It is reasonable to take time to decide and to get a second opinion.
What this answer cannot determine
The boundary of online education. These need a clinician who can see you.
- This answer cannot tell whether removing your ovaries is right for you. That depends on your diagnosis and history, which your surgeon must explain.
Questions for your clinician
Take these with you. You can add any of them to an appointment card.
- Why do you recommend removing my ovaries, and what happens if we keep them?
- What symptoms should I expect after surgery?
- Will I be offered hormone therapy, and is it suitable for me?
- How will my bone and heart health be monitored afterwards?
- Can I take time to decide or get a second opinion?
When to seek help
Clinician-approved guidance for this topic. When in doubt, being seen is never the wrong choice.
Book an appointment soon
- See your doctor within a few days if your symptoms such as bleeding or pain get worse while you are deciding.
Raise it at a routine appointment
- Book a routine appointment to discuss the surgery plan in detail before deciding. You can bring someone with you.
Sources
The evidence this explanation is built on.
- Menopause NHS
- Uterine fibroids MedlinePlus (NIH)
- Menopause — symptoms NHS
Who wrote and reviewed this
Every AskHer answer names its author. A clinically reviewed answer also names the clinician who signed it off — if no clinician is named below, it has not been clinically reviewed.
- Author
- AskHer Editorial (AI-assisted draft) AskHer's editorial team — not an individual clinician Works in English, தமிழ், हिन्दी
- Clinical reviewer
- Nobody yet No clinician has signed this answer off, and no person on the editorial team has read it yet. That is what the “Written with AI assistance” label means. It is queued for an editor to read, and then for a clinician who works in this area. The sources it was drafted against are listed above.
- Review status
- Written with AI assistance — not yet reviewed by a person
- Last reviewed
- Not yet reviewed by a person
- Version
- 1
Correction history
Substantive changes are listed, not quietly edited away.
No corrections have been made since this answer was first published.
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