Can having only one ovary create higher levels of estrogen output?

January 19, 2004

Hello there all,

I have recently been reading and wondering about an ovary issue. When I was

16 I went in to a gyn for the first time because I had quite a large swollen

spot on my right lower abdominal quadrant.

The ultrasound showed a very large ovarian cyst that was recommended to be

removed via abdominal surgery. So the next week I went in and they

discovered it was malignant. Fortunately, my surgeon was able to remove its

entirety along with the ovary.

Then when I approached my early twenties I began to have the symptoms of

heavy bleeding, pain, clots, all of those things leading my doctors to

believe I had fibroids. Sure enough, after one ab myo, and three

hysteroscopic resections I have had most of them removed, about 30+

fibroids. Yuck!

But my question is... since my right ovary had been removed at age 16, is it

possible that my left ovary kicked out higher levels of estrogen thereafter

due to the shock of the surgery and loss of the other ovary? Could this

have been a reason for the growth of the fibroids?

Do any of you with fibroids and one ovary feel the same way? Is there

research that you may know of that could explain this possible phenomenon?

In about a month I will be seeing my fertility spec. and will ask his

opinion on this matter. In the meantime, if any of you have read materials

or found links on this idea, would you mind referring me there?

I would sure appreciate it. I am now off of all hormone therapies because

my hubby and I are getting ready to TTC. I would like to continue to be

med-free even after any future pg if I can, but if I do put out higher doses

of estrogen maybe more fibroids will grow and cause problems.

If you know of blood tests I can request to check my estrogen levels, would

you mind explaining them here?

Thanks to you all.

Hugs and blessings,

Sonja

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