Why I Decided To Remove My Ovaries (AKA Have An Oophorectomy)

In this video, you will learn why after a few years of indecision, I finally decided to have my ovaries removed (Oophorectomy).

It's been a difficult decision for me to make. I am not BRCA positive, nor do I have a family history of ovarian cancer. My reasons for forging ahead with the surgery might not be what you expect.

If you are exploring ovary removal, I hope you know the decisions are not easy and you are not alone in making them.
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*I am not a doctor and none of the information in this video is intended to be medical advice. Please consult your doctors for any information pertaining to your individual circumstances.

➡𝗠𝘆 𝗻𝗲𝘄 𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸: 𝑾𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑭*𝒄𝒌 𝑱𝒖𝒔𝒕 𝑯𝒂𝒑𝒑𝒆𝒏𝒆𝒅? 𝑨 𝑺𝒖𝒓𝒗𝒊𝒗𝒐𝒓𝒔 𝑮𝒖𝒊𝒅𝒆 𝒕𝒐 𝑳𝒊𝒇𝒆 𝑨𝒇𝒕𝒆𝒓 𝑩𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒔𝒕 𝑪𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒆𝒓.

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[diannavaughn]

I am a breast cancer survivor of four years. I refuse to take the estrogen blocker I did try it for 3 months and it was awful. They tell you five years but it's really 8 to ten years. I just had a pet scan and no signs of cancer. Nutrition is key

[Janet-nnvx]

Thank you Jen. Your situation has touched my heart, thank you so much for sharing. I am 46 also and my ovaries were removed last month during a fibroid surgery so I was shocked when I was told by my Dr that he removed them because of cysts. I am recovering but the hot flashes are terrible and other issues like changes in my skin which I can see but might not be readily noticeable to other persons. Plus other issues. Your story brings me comfort to know that I am not alone. Please stay strong as you go through your challenges.

[belenmarchica]

Thank you for making this video! You are so informative and you are my "go-to" influencer regarding breast cancer info, you make it so easy to understand. I always learn so much from you. Sending you blessings on your journey and this next step.

[abby_reviews]

Jen I wanted to issue a personal thank you for sharing your story with such grace and confidence. I first encountered your channel after my own disgnosis. I'm a four year survivor in May of stage 1 ER/PR+ IDC and the only treatment I've had is a bilateral mastectomy. I tried Tamoxifen for literally a week and had such bad psychiatric symptoms I discontinued treatment. I am terrified that if I have an oophorectomy I will have really bad hormone-related symptoms again but want the protective effect. I should also mention I'm 36 currently and have heard that "early menopause" like I would have can be dangerous and complicated. I have a five year old that I want to be here for. I have a BRCA II "variant of uncertain significance." Like you, I am considered at "no greater risk" of getting ovarian cancer than the rest of the population, but idk. A lot to think about. I feel like it's hard to get my team to pull all the pieces together, especially as a young survivor. Like any effects I suffer have a ripple effect through my family and the decades. It's definitely never simple. I can identify with your confident, fighting spirit! Keep putting it out into the world. From one survivor to another.

[monicak]

Thank you for this video! My 46 year old daughter is trying to decide this very same issue.
Like you said, as a cancer survivor, you already have been thru so much.
Best of luck .

[spinedocnk]

thank you for sharing your thoughts and experiences. I truly admire your strength and confidence!!

[luckyone]

Awesome video thanks for making it! It makes us think and discuss this with our doctors. At least I will! Keep us posted. Little updates are fine.

[emilymitchell]

Thank you, I'm making this decision as well ❤️

[csc]

My sister passed away from ovarian cancer at age 54-years old and my mother passed away from ovarian cancer at 88-years old. From diagnosis to passing it was 6 months for my sister and 6 weeks for my mother. I was diagnosed with Triple negative breast cancer six months after my mother passed. I have three sisters and two have gotten oophorectomies and I will get mine in the next year. I am not taking any chances. They call ovarian cancer the "silent killer" because by the time they find it it is in an advanced stage. My sister was very bloated and that was a noticeable clue leading up to diagnosis. Please become familiar with the symptoms of ovarian cancer and proactively see your doctor.

[AllForTheGirls]

Hi Jen, thank you for this video! I’m about to start my journey with taking Tamoxifen & I’ve thought about asking my oncologist about this very thing. I had basically zero red flags for breast cancer other than my dads side of the family being ashkanazi Jewish. So it does make me wonder about being even more proactive to avoid any other cancer diagnoses.

Btw you have been my mentor throughout my cancer journey & I’m so appreciative of that! Have you considered doing another podcast? About life after breast cancer? Or even just about life in general? Listening to your podcasts helped me so much & you’re just so funny too so you brought a little light into my world when I was in a dark place. 💜

[ChelseaBrown-fzmj]

Hello Jen, that you very much for sharing your story. Glad to know you are a breast cancer survivor. I lost my mother to breast cancer. My gynecologist is suggesting I remove my ovaries but as you stated it is a big decision. I'm 51 years old and experiencing menopause symptoms and have a cyst on my right ovary. What advice will you give me. Thank you CD.

[marymazzoni]

I also have lobolar breast cancer and going to start hormone blocker after radiation. And hear nothing but bad things. You seem so informed I’m much older at 62 and already went through menopause but was wondering if maybe the symptoms wouldn’t be as bad Like you said nobody wants to do that twice. I was just starting to feel better after 10 years. I know your not a doctor. But if you know. Thank you and don’t worry you still look young and beautiful.

[hopehall-sanchez]

Thank you for sharing. I am getting ready to start my lupron shots in a week. I have decided to remove my ovaries in 6 months. You helped me to better understand why the process to get these shots.. 💙🌻💚

[jigishadesai]

I m breast cancer survivor triple positive i m advised 10 yrs of temoxifen....after 6 yrs on t uterine lining thickens so i also decided for tlh bso ....good recovery best decision ever no regrates..

[lesleyrose]

Hi Jenn. I was in a similar situation as you. I had my ovaries removed a year ago. Very difficult decision and like you said, we should consult our health care professionals to help us make the right choice for us. I sailed through the surgery and am having no noticeable differences. If anything, feeling better. :)

[tyerinem]

@Jen Rozenbaum. How were things after removal (pain, incision site, etc)? I'm still young, so I'm worried about my lady parts, recovery time, etc. Having my ovaries removed is the biggest decision that I've ever made. Choosing to have a Mastectomy was not hard, I was like let's do it!!

[ministertabathahopson]

You look amazing! Thank you for sharing. I have an ovary that is inflamed, but I have a family history of cancer. I’m getting them removed. I already had the hysterectomy 2017.

[robincammarata]

Thank you for this video. For over a year I have been debating this same surgery. My oncologist says take them out since it is one less place for cancer to go. The OBGYN is on board if I WANT the surgery but she feels if were in there we might as well do a hysterectomy. At 51, as well as being a breast cancer survivor, the LAST thing you want is to have ANOTHER surgery. Thank you for having this discussion. You hit the nail on the head when you talked about losing another body part connected to our femininity.

[harshanidilrukshiperera]

What are the supplements we can get for bone pain?

[steffiroary]

Hello dear Jen, does the insurance pay for the surgery? Here they do not pay if women are not carrying a mutation in BRCA1/2. Thank you for informing and all the best for you on your journey!!! Lots of love, Steffi🌹