hysterectomy question

[jun keater]

I don't have time this morning to do a search so I thought someone might know the answer to this. Is it possible to have PCOS even though you have had a total hysterectomy? Is it possible to find out if you don't have any ovaries?

[mammac-5]

You'd have to see your medical records or ask the surgeon who performed the hysterectomy whether or not the ovaries were taken along with the uterus & cervix.

If one was given hormones immediately following surgery to offset the effects of loss of estrogen, then one would be pretty certain that the ovaries were also removed. But it's best to consult the surgical report to know for sure.

Ordinarily the ovaries are not removed unless there are signs of disease/disorder. Usually those are left to secrete estrogen and prevent a surgical menopause from occurring...thus lowering the risk or heart disease and osteoporosis for most women.

[Kristine]

I'd say yes, it's possible. From what I've read (check out this page (http://www.infertilityphysician.com/androgen/pcos.html) when you get a chance), the polycystic ovaries are really more of a symptom than the cause. The definition of the illness, as far as I'm concerned, is the hormone pattern and its affect on the body over all.

[Caelda]

I was told by my dr., and have read elsewhere, that because PCOS is an endocrine disorder, you can get a complete hysterectomy, but still have many of the symptoms.