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Ovary preservation and private oophorectomy
- See a leading consultant gynaecologist in as little as 24 hours
- Exceptional diagnostics and aftercare in dedicated women’s centres
- Personalised treatment including advanced robotic surgery options
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OVARY PRESERVATION AND PRIVATE OOPHORECTOMY AT HCA UK
Why choose us
We believe every woman deserves carefully tailored care when it comes to ovarian surgery and we’re committed to preserving your ovarian function wherever possible. Whether you’re seeking care for an ovarian cyst, endometriosis, a suspected tumour or cancer risk, our expert gynaecological surgeons are here for you. We’ll always explore non-surgical and advanced conservative options first. That includes using cutting-edge robotic assistance techniques to perform procedures such as partial oophorectomy, ovarian cystectomy and fertility-sparing surgery.
While oophorectomy – the removal of one or both ovaries – may sometimes be the right course of action, removing a healthy ovary is extremely rare and only considered if you’re genetically at high risk of developing ovarian cancer.
An oophorectomy is a major operation to remove one or both of your ovaries. These are the reproductive organs on either side of your pelvis, and they contain eggs and produce hormones that control your menstrual cycle.
Ovary removal surgery can be an effective procedure for treating or preventing a range of health issues, although we’ll only consider it after first exhausting non-surgical and more conservative options. You may have your fallopian tubes removed at the same time. These are the organs that transport eggs from your ovary to your uterus and the procedure to remove them is known as a salpingectomy.
Your body will go through different changes depending on the type of procedure you have. If you have both ovaries removed, you may experience early menopause, which can impact your fertility and your chances of getting pregnant.
We'll carefully discuss all the benefits, considerations and alternatives so we can make the most informed and well-rounded decision about your care, together with you. We’ll never remove your ovaries without your full consent.
Potential reasons that you may need to have one or both of your ovaries removed include:
- Ovarian cancer
- Carrying the BRCA gene which puts you at a higher risk of developing ovarian or breast cancer
- Severely diseased ovaries due to endometriosis, large tumours or torsion, when an ovary becomes twisted around its own blood supply
- Severe pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)
- Recurrent tubo-ovarian abscess
Even in these serious cases, we’ll assess the options for removing only the diseased tissue and preserving part of your ovary or preserving healthy ovarian tissue for future fertility and hormone function.
Your oophorectomy specialist can perform the procedure in different ways, and what they recommend will depend on your specific medical history and symptoms.
We specialise in the least invasive, most precise techniques tailored to your condition, including laparoscopic, robotic-assisted, vaginal and ovarian sparing or preserving procedures. You can find out more about these techniques in the FAQ section below.
The main approaches are:
We specialise in the least invasive, most precise techniques tailored to your condition, including laparoscopic, robotic-assisted, vaginal and ovarian sparing or preserving procedures. You can find out more about these techniques in the FAQ section below.
The main approaches are:
- Unilateral oophorectomy, where one ovary is removed
- Bilateral oophorectomy, where both ovaries are removed
- Unilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, where one ovary and one fallopian tube are removed
- Bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, where both ovaries and both fallopian tubes are removed
For clinical reasons, your specialist consultant may advise that its best for you to have an oophorectomy as part of a hysterectomy. This is an operation to remove your uterus. There are two types of hysterectomy:
- Hysterectomy with salpingo-oophorectomy, where your uterus is removed along with one fallopian tube and one ovary
- Total hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, where your uterus is removed along with your cervix and both fallopian tubes and ovaries
They’ll explain the procedure they recommend in detail, so you understand why it’s the best option and what the likely outcomes and side effects might be.
Your recovery time from ovary removal will depend on the type of procedure you have. You could be able to go home on the same day, or you may need to spend a few days in hospital. Either way, you'll be given clear, helpful advice on caring for your incisions, getting comfortable at home and making as strong a recovery as possible.
Most women can gradually return to living their normal life after resting for two to six weeks. Your consultant will give you tailored guidance on when you can safely return to activities such as work, exercise and sex, helping you to approach them with confidence.
Most women can gradually return to living their normal life after resting for two to six weeks. Your consultant will give you tailored guidance on when you can safely return to activities such as work, exercise and sex, helping you to approach them with confidence.
200+
women’s health consultants
48-hour
turnaround for diagnostic results
One-stop
dedicated clinics offering full investigation and treatment plans
Next-day appointments
with our private gynaecologists for longer than regular GP appointments
State-of-the-art diagnostics
including our One-Stop Gynaecology Clinic for a full check-up in one visit
Comprehensive treatment options
including supportive services and advanced robotic surgery
OOPHORECTOMY SURGERY
What to expect
An operation to remove your ovaries is irreversible, so it's important that you feel fully informed and have time and space to raise any questions or worries. Our women's health experts are here to support you from your initial appointment to the day of your surgery and while you recover.
We’re here to ensure that you’re informed, supported and empowered at every step. Feel free to contact us if you have any questions before booking an initial appointment. Our team will be happy to help.
We’re here to ensure that you’re informed, supported and empowered at every step. Feel free to contact us if you have any questions before booking an initial appointment. Our team will be happy to help.
01
Your initial consultation
You might be referred to us by a GP or you’re welcome to self-refer. Either way, you’ll sit down with a specialist surgeon to discuss your condition, fertility preferences and treatment options. They'll explain the most appropriate options for you, including non-surgical and conservative approaches wherever possible.
02
Deciding and preparing
You’ll have plenty of time to digest the information you’ve been given before agreeing on a treatment and care plan that's right for you. If this means oophorectomy surgery, your consultant and multidisciplinary team, including a dedicated clinical nurse specialist, will advise you on how to prepare and answer any questions you may have.
03
Your operation
On the day of your operation, you'll be admitted and looked after in one of our state-of-the-art private hospitals. Your surgical team will check you over, answer any last questions and give you anaesthesia before our experienced consultants perform your tailored procedure. Wherever possible, we’ll use the latest robotic technology to minimise your discomfort and help support a speedier recovery.
04
Aftercare and recovery
We’re here for you before, during and after your procedure. You'll be monitored in a private room while your anaesthesia wears off, with your team ready to help you get up and about once you're able to. Before you go home, you'll receive personalised recovery tips and support to help you rest as comfortably as possible.
We'll check on your progress in convenient follow-up appointments, address any questions or concerns you might have, and offer access to related women’s health services to support your physical and emotional wellbeing.
We'll check on your progress in convenient follow-up appointments, address any questions or concerns you might have, and offer access to related women’s health services to support your physical and emotional wellbeing.
Our locations
Where can I have oophorectomy surgery?
You can access our specialist services at locations throughout London and in Birmingham. From your initial consultation through to your surgery and aftercare, treatment and next steps, you’ll be treated by expert surgeons and dedicated women’s health specialists.
The Harley Street Clinic
35 Weymouth Street W1G 8BJ London
The Portland Hospital
205-209 Great Portland Street W1W 5AH London
The Princess Grace Hospital
42-52 Nottingham Place W1U 5NY London
The Shard Outpatients
The Shard 32 St Thomas Street SE1 9BS London
London Bridge Hospital
27 Tooley Street SE1 2PR London
The Wellington Hospital
Wellington Place St John's Wood NW8 9LE London
The Lister Hospital
Chelsea Bridge Road SW1W 8RH London
The Harborne Hospital
Mindelsohn Way B15 2TQ Birmingham
Accessing private health care
Self-pay
You don’t need health insurance to be seen quickly. If you’re looking for a diagnosis or treatment and don’t want to wait, all of our private healthcare services – from private GP appointments through to surgery and aftercare – can be paid for as and when you need them.
And to give you peace of mind from the start, we’ll give you a clear and transparent quote outlining exactly what’s included in your self-pay package.
Oophorectomy FAQ
Your consultant will give you personalised advice on how best to prepare. This will be based on your condition, lifestyle and procedure and it may include:
- Stopping certain medications or supplements such as blood thinners for a specified period
- Having a physical exam, blood tests and possibly other tests to check your general health
- Avoiding eating or drinking for a short period before the day of your surgery
- Arranging for loved ones to take you home after surgery and to help out during the initial recovery phase
An oophorectomy will only be recommended if your gynaecologist judges that the benefits of surgery heavily outweigh any risks, and that non-surgical options aren’t suitable.
They'll clearly explain these risks and the potential side effects in detail before you decide to go ahead with treatment. If you do, rest assured our experienced team will do everything possible to minimise any negative impacts.
The risks of surgery include:
- Infection
- Excessive bleeding
- Damage to surrounding organs such as your bladder or bowel
- Bad reaction to anaesthesia
- Blood clots
The short-term side-effects of ovary removal can include pain and fatigue, both of which are common in the immediate weeks following surgery. We’ll offer you pain relief options to take home with you which can help to make you feel more comfortable.
The long-term side-effects depend on the type of procedure you’ve had and these may be treatable. They include:
- Early menopause and related symptoms if both ovaries are removed
- An inability to get pregnant on your own if both ovaries are removed ‒ though you may still be able to have a child with the right fertility treatment
- Period symptoms caused by your remaining ovary cells, known as ovarian remnant syndrome
Your oophorectomy can be performed in different ways depending on your condition. Your consultant will recommend the most suitable option for you. They’ll always consider non-surgical and conservative approaches first and they’ll tell you exactly what's going to happen.
We've provided quick overviews of the different approaches below. We'll recommend an accurate, minimally invasive procedure wherever possible to aid your recovery.
We've provided quick overviews of the different approaches below. We'll recommend an accurate, minimally invasive procedure wherever possible to aid your recovery.
- Laparoscopic: Your surgeon will make a small incision in your abdomen and insert tiny surgical instruments including a camera to gain a clear view and remove one or both of your ovaries.
- Robotic-assisted: Your surgeon may use an advanced robotic surgical system to perform a laparoscopic procedure with greater accuracy, promoting a faster recovery.
- Vaginal: Your surgeon may make a small incision in your vagina to remove one or both of your ovaries, usually at the same time as removing your uterus if you have a hysterectomy and oophorectomy performed together.
- Laparotomy: This is a form of open surgery which involves a larger incision in your abdomen and requires a longer recovery time.
If you haven't gone through the menopause yet and have a bilateral oophorectomy to remove both ovaries, you'll enter menopause immediately after surgery. This may cause you to experience menopause symptoms such as hot flashes, vaginal dryness, and depression or anxiety.
Your consultant will explain what to expect for your age and recommended procedure, so you can prepare for and manage the outcomes as effectively as possible. This may include the option of hormone replacement therapy (HRT).
Your consultant will explain what to expect for your age and recommended procedure, so you can prepare for and manage the outcomes as effectively as possible. This may include the option of hormone replacement therapy (HRT).
Having one ovary removed shouldn't affect your ability to get pregnant if your remaining ovary and fallopian tube are working normally. If you have both sides removed, you'll no longer be able to get pregnant without medical help, but you may still have success with IVF or other treatment options.
If you want to have children, our fertility experts will discuss how surgery may impact your plans and review your options together in confidence.
We understand that preserving fertility is often a top priority and we can offer:
- Fertility counselling and preservation techniques
- Ovarian tissue freezing in select cases
- Intraoperative ovarian conservation whenever safe and feasible
- Hormone replacement guidance if you need to have both ovaries removed
Our patient stories
Nicola’s story: An unexpected diagnosis
“If you’re concerned about your ovaries, have been advised to consider surgery or would like a second opinion ‒ we’re here to help. Book a consultation to explore your options with a leading expert in gynaecological surgery.”
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This content is intended for general information only and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional.