I have a friend that has had a hysterectomy. The doctor left one ovary in due to not going through menopause. She had endometriosis, and a cyst. Now she is having pain in the area where the ovary is, she states that she noticed the pain immediately after the surgery. Its been a month now and the pain is back. She said the pain is dull but shouldn't the doctor have taken that other ovary? I was suggested she go to the doctor and possibly request and ultrasound, does that sound right? I had a complete hystectomy so I don't have to worry about it anymore. Any advice will be appreciative.

if the doctor left the ovary simply because she had not gone through menopause, it makes me wonder if that ovary was completely clean. If there was no cancerous cells or cysts, etc., then it is fine to leave it. If there was anything at all wrong with it, it is likely that it should have gone as well.

Every hysterectomy is different, so it's hard to say. The difference between a "full" and a "partial" also varies. She should sit down with the doctor and explain her feelings (emotional and physical). If she is not comfortable with this doctor's response - she should seek a second opinion. She needs to be assured that she is ok so that she doesn't think something is wrong with every twinge she feels.

Back in 1992 I had a "total" hysterectomy due to several severe fibroid tumors, which involved taking the uterus & cervix. (I don't know why they call that type "total" since they left my ovaries!) My doctor elected to do this first, since it was less invasive and didn't involve an incision in the abdomen.

Anyway, although I had cysts on my ovaries, the doctor felt that the total would do the job, which it did. Haven't had any problems since then, except that I've had "menopause-like" symptoms. In my last physical (2001), it was determined that my estrogen levels were still up there, so I guess I STILL get to look forward to menopause (oh goody!).

I would definitely agree that she should tell her doctor about anything that is still bothering her or causing her pain!

I was lucky - At the time I was 35 and had two kids, and my doctor told me I had options...Live with the pain, try surgery to just remove the tumors, or have a hysterectomy. (I loved my doctor for giving me the choices, many don't!)

I have never regretted my decision to this day.

I hope your friend is able to find an answer, and some relief! I can relate!

Best, Giz

They left one of my ovaries, too, because it will still produce hormones. It was tender until it absorbed, and I went right into menopause, and have been in it ever since. I'm on estrogen therapy.