Will I Have Enough Hormones with Only One Ovary?

If you are having one ovary removed, you may be wondering what will happen to your hormone levels. The good news is that your hormones should be fine! You shouldn’t notice a change in hormone levels when you have only one functioning ovary.

Each month, ovulation occurs on only one side. So rather than both of your ovaries producing hormones and releasing a mature egg each month, they take turns. When there is only one ovary, the remaining ovary simply does the job each and every month.

There is a chance that, for a short time, the remaining ovary will not work as well as it should. The stress, trauma, change in ovarian blood supply, and more can negatively affect your ovary. The ovary may got to sleep or not work for a bit, or changes in your cycle that lasts for a few months may have it not function quite as efficiently as it should. During that time, your ovary may not produce enough hormones, leaving you with some menopause symptoms such as hot flashes and mood swings.

Once you’ve healed and your remaining ovary takes over completely, any hormone imbalance symptoms should disappear. Your remaining ovary should then provide you will all the hormones you need until you reach natural menopause.

This content was written by staff of HysterSisters.com by non-medical professionals based on discussions, resources and input from other patients for the purpose of patient-to-patient support. Reprinted with permission: Will I Have Enough Hormones with Only One Ovary?

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