OOPHORECTOMY

An oophorectomy is the surgical operation to remove one, or both, ovaries and is carried out to treat a number of conditions including:

• ovarian cancer,
• ovarian cysts,
• polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS)
• preventing oestrogen production which can stimulate some cancers

If both ovaries are removed, your periods will stop and you will be unable to have children; if one ovary is removed, your periods will continue and you should be able to conceive as normal.
On occasions, an oophorectomy is carried out along with a hysterectomy.