Oophorectomy

An oophorectomy is the surgical removal of one or both of a person's ovaries. It may also be called ovariectomy but that term is mostly used in reference to non-human animals.

Oophorectomy is most often performed because of diseases such as ovarian cysts or cancer, or as a preventive measure to reduce the chances of developing ovarian cancer or breast cancer. However, some transmasculine people choose to have an oophorectomy as part of their gender transition. It can be done on its own or along with a hysterectomy.

Oophorectomy is usually performed by abdominal laparoscopy. The patient usually won't need to spend the night in the hospital.

Removing both ovaries results in the person no longer having a menstrual cycle, and becoming permanently infertile, although the person may choose to preserve some of their eggs before having their ovaries removed (see the fertility preservation page for details). Oophorectomy also drastically lowers the body's production of the hormones estrogen and progesterone.

Oophorectomy has been found in cis women to be associated with problems such as an increased risk of osteoporosis and bone fractures,  and an increased risk of cardiovascular problems. However, it is not known for sure whether transmasculine patients would have these same increased risks.