How to Decide To Have Ovarian Removal at Hysterectomy is Aided By this Fertility Test

Women who undergo hysterectomy because of uterine conditions do not necessarily need ovarian removal. Ovarian removal at a hysterectomy does help prevent ovarian cysts, endometriosis, and ovarian cancers in the future. If you keep your ovaries at the time of a hysterectomy you are more likely to need them removed in the future.

The granulosa cells of the ovary make something called AMH, Anti Mullerian Hormone.

The true function of AMH is not exactly known, but it does have a role in making eggs healthier.

Because of this important fertility function, when a woman’s AMH goes to zero her ovaries are not fertile, and even very low levels do correlate with less fertility.

Women with a uterus typically rely on the presence of their last period to determine whether they have passed into menopause. We can use the level of estrogen, the level of testosterone, the level of of FSH (pituitary hormone), or the level of AMH to determine the presence of menopause in women who have had hysterectomy, but kept at least one ovary.

AMH and hormone levels do vary for different reasons, and aren’t completely aligned with each other, but it would give you and your gynecologist a hormonal reason to help you understand your ovarian age.

Come in for consultation if you have questions of your hormonal levels.