Do Ovaries Still Release Eggs After Hysterectomy?
Learn what happens to your ovaries after a hysterectomy. Do they still release eggs? Understand how it affects ovulation, hormones, and fertility.
Introduction
If you’ve had a hysterectomy or are considering one, you may wonder whether your ovaries will continue to release eggs afterward. This is an important question, as it affects your hormonal health, fertility, and overall well-being. Let’s break it down in simple terms.
Consult Top Specialists for Personalised Health Advice
Understanding Hysterectomy and Ovaries
A hysterectomy is a surgical procedure to remove the uterus (womb). Depending on the reason for the surgery, a doctor may remove:
Only the uterus (partial hysterectomy)
Uterus and cervix (total hysterectomy)
Uterus, cervix, and one or both ovaries (total hysterectomy with oophorectomy)
The key factor here is whether your ovaries are left intact during the procedure.
What Happens to the Ovaries After Hysterectomy?
Whether or not your ovaries are removed plays a major role in how your body responds after surgery.
1. If Ovaries Are Kept:
Your ovaries will continue to function normally, producing hormones—oestrogen and progesterone—and releasing eggs each month.
However, since the uterus is removed, the eggs have nowhere to go—they are simply absorbed by the body.
You will not have periods, as there is no uterus to shed its lining.
2. If Ovaries Are Removed:
You will stop ovulating immediately, leading to surgical menopause if you haven’t already gone through natural menopause.
Hormone levels—oestrogen and progesterone—drop suddenly, which can cause symptoms like hot flashes, mood swings, and vaginal dryness.
Can You Still Get Pregnant After a Hysterectomy?
No. Since the uterus is removed, pregnancy is not possible, even if your ovaries are still releasing eggs. The fertilised egg needs the uterus to implant and grow.
How Does a Hysterectomy Affect Hormones?
Your hormonal changes after surgery depend on whether the ovaries are preserved.
With Ovaries Intact: Your body continues producing hormones naturally until menopause, which is usually around age 45-55.
Without Ovaries: You may experience sudden menopause symptoms and may need hormone replacement therapy (HRT) to manage them.
Possible Symptoms After Hysterectomy
Even if your ovaries are kept, some women experience:
Mild hormonal fluctuations like mood swings or fatigue
Early menopause if blood supply to ovaries is affected
No noticeable changes if ovaries function normally
Tips for Managing Health After Hysterectomy
Maintaining your overall health after a hysterectomy involves a few simple yet important steps.
1. Monitor Hormonal Changes – If you experience severe menopause symptoms, consult your doctor about HRT.
2. Bone Health – Lower oestrogen can weaken bones; ensure enough calcium and vitamin D.
3. Heart Health – Oestrogen protects the heart; discuss cardiovascular risks with your doctor.
4. Regular Check-ups – Even without a uterus, ovarian health should be monitored as the risk of cysts or cancer remains.
When to See a Doctor?
Consult a gynaecologist if you experience:
Severe hot flashes or night sweats
Vaginal dryness or pain
Sudden mood changes
Unexplained weight gain or fatigue
If you have concerns about hysterectomy, ovarian function, or menopause, you can book a consultation with an Apollo24|7 gynaecologist for personalised advice.
Final Thoughts
A hysterectomy doesn’t always mean the end of ovarian function. If your ovaries are preserved, they will keep releasing eggs and producing hormones until natural menopause. However, pregnancy is no longer possible. Understanding these changes helps in managing post-surgery health effectively.
Consult Top Gynaecologists
Consult Top Specialists for Personalised Health Advice
Dr Parwati Sharma
Obstetrician and Gynaecologist
10 Years • MBBS, MD, DrNB (Obs & Gyane)
Bhopal
Apollo Sage Hospitals, Bhopal
Dr. Asawari Kesari Kapoor
Obstetrician and Gynaecologist
23 Years • M.B.B.S, D.G.O(Mumbai) ,D.G.O (C.P.S), D.N.B (OBGY)
Delhi
Apollo Hospitals Indraprastha, Delhi
(25+ Patients)
Dr. Vineet Mishra
Infertility Specialist
36 Years • MD, Phd, DSc
Ahmedabad
Apollo Hospitals - Gandhinagar, Ahmedabad, Ahmedabad
Dr. Sheela Gaur
Obstetrician and Gynaecologist
11 Years • MBBS, DGO
Gurugram
Apollo Cradle, Sector 14 (Childrens), Gurugram
Dr. Plabani Sarkar
Obstetrician and Gynaecologist
17 Years • Advanced Diploma in Reproductive Medicine, University of Schleswig Holstein Kiel, Germany 2024 Fellowship - Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, PGIMER Chandigarh 2021 – 2022 Specialized in female endocrinology, endometriosis & male infertility. Certification in Reproductive Genetics,Valencia,Spain 2024 Certification in Oncofertility, American Society of Reproductive Medicine 2024 Certification in Obstetrics & Gynecological Ultrasounds,NHS-UK(Royal College of Radiologists) 2024 D.N.B. - Obstetrics & Gynaecology, NBE, New Delhi 2021 MD - Obstetrics & Gynaecology, AIIMS, New Delhi 2014 - 2016 Specialized in Laparoscopic, Hysteroscopic procedures & Infertility treatments. MBBS, R.G. Kar Medical College, Kolkata 2007 - 2013 Honours in Preventive & Social Medicine. Gold Medal in Forensic Science & Medicine.
Bengaluru
Apollo Clinic Mahadevapura, Bengaluru
Consult Top Gynaecologists
Dr Parwati Sharma
Obstetrician and Gynaecologist
10 Years • MBBS, MD, DrNB (Obs & Gyane)
Bhopal
Apollo Sage Hospitals, Bhopal
Dr. Asawari Kesari Kapoor
Obstetrician and Gynaecologist
23 Years • M.B.B.S, D.G.O(Mumbai) ,D.G.O (C.P.S), D.N.B (OBGY)
Delhi
Apollo Hospitals Indraprastha, Delhi
(25+ Patients)
Dr. Vineet Mishra
Infertility Specialist
36 Years • MD, Phd, DSc
Ahmedabad
Apollo Hospitals - Gandhinagar, Ahmedabad, Ahmedabad
Dr. Sheela Gaur
Obstetrician and Gynaecologist
11 Years • MBBS, DGO
Gurugram
Apollo Cradle, Sector 14 (Childrens), Gurugram
Dr. Plabani Sarkar
Obstetrician and Gynaecologist
17 Years • Advanced Diploma in Reproductive Medicine, University of Schleswig Holstein Kiel, Germany 2024 Fellowship - Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, PGIMER Chandigarh 2021 – 2022 Specialized in female endocrinology, endometriosis & male infertility. Certification in Reproductive Genetics,Valencia,Spain 2024 Certification in Oncofertility, American Society of Reproductive Medicine 2024 Certification in Obstetrics & Gynecological Ultrasounds,NHS-UK(Royal College of Radiologists) 2024 D.N.B. - Obstetrics & Gynaecology, NBE, New Delhi 2021 MD - Obstetrics & Gynaecology, AIIMS, New Delhi 2014 - 2016 Specialized in Laparoscopic, Hysteroscopic procedures & Infertility treatments. MBBS, R.G. Kar Medical College, Kolkata 2007 - 2013 Honours in Preventive & Social Medicine. Gold Medal in Forensic Science & Medicine.
Bengaluru
Apollo Clinic Mahadevapura, Bengaluru
