Uzm. Dr. Ertan Özen
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Gynaecological Surgery
Oophorectomy
What an oophorectomy is, when one or both ovaries are removed, how keyhole and open surgery differ, what happens to hormones and fertility, approximate costs in Turkey against the UK, US and Germany, recovery milestones, risks and the questions to ask a gynaecology hospital before you travel.
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Prof. Dr. Zehra Neşe Kavak
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Oophorectomy in Turkey: what it is and how it works
Oophorectomy is the surgical removal of one or both ovaries. When one ovary is removed it is called unilateral, and the remaining ovary usually continues to release hormones and eggs. When both are removed (bilateral oophorectomy) the body stops producing most of its oestrogen and progesterone and fertility ends, and in a woman who has not yet had her menopause this triggers surgical menopause. The fallopian tubes are often removed in the same operation, which is then called salpingo-oophorectomy, because the tubes are closely linked to the origin of some ovarian cancers.
The operation is done by gynaecologists in hospitals across Turkey, usually through keyhole (laparoscopic) surgery. This guide explains when oophorectomy is advised, how the operation is done, what it means for hormones and fertility, what it costs compared with the UK, US and Germany, and how to choose a hospital. For related surgery see our gynecology treatments in Turkey.
Why might an oophorectomy be recommended?
The reasons are medical, and the choice between one ovary and two depends on them.
- Ovarian cysts or masses that are large, twisting the ovary (torsion), persistent, or suspicious on scans and blood tests.
- Endometriosis where an ovarian endometrioma has damaged the ovary or keeps returning.
- Ovarian or related cancers, where removal is part of cancer surgery planned by an oncology team.
- High inherited risk, for example a BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene change, where risk-reducing removal of the ovaries and tubes is discussed after genetic counselling, usually after childbearing.
- Breast cancer treatment in selected hormone-sensitive cases.
- Pelvic infection or abscess that has destroyed the ovary.
Oophorectomy is not a first-line treatment for most simple cysts, which often settle or can be removed alone while the ovary is kept. Ask your doctor whether a cyst removal (cystectomy) would be enough before agreeing to lose an ovary.
Is oophorectomy keyhole or open surgery?
Most oophorectomies are performed by laparoscopy under general anaesthesia. The surgeon makes three or four small cuts of 5 to 12 mm in the abdomen, inflates it with gas, passes a camera and instruments and clamps and seals the ovarian blood vessels before releasing the ovary. The ovary is placed in a bag and taken out through one of the cuts so that, if it contains a cyst or tumour, nothing spills. Surgery takes 30 to 90 minutes. Robotic assistance is used in some centres.
Open surgery through a lower abdominal cut is kept for very large masses, suspected cancer where the surgeon needs a wide view, extensive scarring from past operations or emergencies. A keyhole operation may be converted to open surgery if the surgeon judges it safer, and you should agree this in advance.
What happens to my hormones, periods and fertility after oophorectomy?
If one ovary stays, you usually keep periods and the ability to conceive, although egg reserve can be reduced. If both ovaries are removed before natural menopause, hot flushes, night sweats, sleep problems, mood changes, vaginal dryness and lower sex drive can begin within days or weeks, often more sharply than a natural menopause. Bone thinning and heart risk also rise over the years if no replacement is used. Many women are offered hormone replacement therapy (HRT) after surgery unless there is a reason not to, such as some breast cancers. The NHS and the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) both describe HRT as the main treatment for symptoms of early menopause.
Women who want children should talk about fertility preservation before surgery, for example egg freezing, and about whether removing one ovary or only a cyst is possible. If the uterus remains, it may still be possible to carry a pregnancy with donated eggs, which is a separate decision for a fertility specialist.
Does oophorectomy work? What the evidence says
For treating a torted, abscessed or badly damaged ovary, removal reliably solves the problem. For cancer, removal is a central part of treatment. For risk-reducing surgery in women with BRCA1 or BRCA2 variants, large studies show a clear fall in ovarian cancer risk and, in some groups, in overall mortality. The cost is early menopause, and the timing is therefore individual. For women at average risk who have a hysterectomy for a benign reason, the evidence does not favour routinely removing healthy ovaries, and many guidelines advise keeping them if you are before menopause. A good surgeon will explain why they recommend removal and what the alternatives are.
Oophorectomy cost in Turkey compared with the UK, US and Germany
The approximate ranges below are for the surgical procedure including hospital stay. They are not hospital quotes. The hospital confirms its price in writing after reviewing your scans and reports.
| Country | Approximate cost range |
|---|---|
| Turkey | €1,800 – €5,000 |
| United Kingdom | €4,500 – €10,000 |
| United States | €8,000 – €20,000 |
| Germany | €4,000 – €9,000 |
What changes the price: one side or both, laparoscopic or open approach, whether the tubes or other procedures are added (for example a hysterectomy), pathology of the removed tissue, the length of the hospital stay and the room type. A package normally includes pre-operative tests, the surgeon and anaesthetist, the hospital stay, medication and follow-up checks. Cancer surgery is planned and priced as a separate treatment course and should never be booked from a standard package.
Oophorectomy or hysterectomy, cystectomy and myomectomy: how do they differ?
Patients often get these names mixed up, and the wrong one can change your future health. The table sets out the differences.
| Operation | What is removed | Typical purpose and effect |
|---|---|---|
| Oophorectomy | One or both ovaries | Cysts, torsion, endometriosis, cancer, risk reduction; menopause if both removed |
| Ovarian cystectomy | The cyst only, ovary kept | Benign cysts when fertility or hormones matter |
| Hysterectomy | The uterus (ovaries may stay) | Fibroids, heavy bleeding, prolapse; periods stop but hormones continue if ovaries stay |
| Myomectomy | Fibroids only | Keeps the uterus and fertility |
If a hysterectomy is planned as well, see our guides to laparoscopic hysterectomy and to the other procedures above, and ask the surgeon to state clearly in writing whether the ovaries will be removed or kept.
Who is a good candidate, and who needs a different plan?
A good candidate has a clear medical reason, up-to-date imaging (ultrasound or MRI), blood tests including tumour markers where relevant, and has discussed hormone and fertility effects with the surgeon. You may need a different plan if you have a mass that looks cancerous (this needs a gynaecological oncology team), heavy previous abdominal surgery, serious heart or lung disease or a clotting disorder. Do not decide on removal from a single scan report without a second opinion if you are premenopausal and have no cancer concern.
Recovery after oophorectomy: what happens week by week
After keyhole surgery you usually leave hospital within one to two days. Shoulder-tip pain from the gas, bloating and mild cramps are common for several days. You can walk straight away and should avoid heavy lifting for about two to four weeks. Many women return to desk work after one to two weeks and to exercise after four to six weeks. After open surgery recovery takes longer, often four to six weeks before normal activity.
Most patients stay four to seven nights in Turkey so the surgeon can check the wounds, review the pathology report and discuss hormone treatment before the flight home. Long-haul travel after surgery raises clot risk, so walk regularly, wear compression stockings and follow your surgeon's advice on blood thinners. Ask how the clinic arranges the pathology result and a video follow-up after you fly.
What are the risks of oophorectomy?
Every operation carries risks. Common effects are pain, bloating, bruising and tiredness. Less common problems are infection, bleeding, injury to the bowel, bladder or ureter, wound hernia, blood clots and anaesthetic complications. The longer-term risks come from losing ovarian hormones when both are removed before natural menopause: menopausal symptoms, bone loss and possible effects on heart health, which is why HRT and bone checks are usually discussed. The NHS and the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists give plain-language information on these risks, and a surgeon should go through them with you before you sign consent.
How to choose a gynaecology hospital and what to ask
Check that the surgeon is a specialist in obstetrics and gynaecology with regular keyhole experience, that the hospital has intensive care and a pathology laboratory, and that you receive a written plan and price before paying a deposit. Red flags include advice to remove healthy ovaries without a clear medical reason, no scan reports requested, no discussion of menopause and a promise that nothing can go wrong. Read how our process works and send your reports via the free quote page for a written plan.
- Is removal of one ovary, both ovaries or only the cyst necessary in my case?
- Will the surgery be keyhole, and when would it become open?
- Will the tubes be removed as well?
- Who studies the pathology, and when will I receive the report?
- What hormone treatment and bone checks do you advise afterwards?
- What does the price include, and who reviews me after I fly home?
Hospitals with Gynaecology in Turkey
Frequently asked questions
Oophorectomy is the surgical removal of one or both ovaries. It is done for large or twisted cysts, endometriosis, cancer or inherited cancer risk. When both ovaries are removed before menopause, surgical menopause begins and fertility ends.
Removing both ovaries causes immediate surgical menopause in women who have not yet had it. If one ovary remains, it usually continues to produce hormones, although the egg reserve is reduced. Your surgeon should explain which applies to you.
Approximate ranges are €1,800 to €5,000 in Turkey, against about €4,500 to €10,000 in the UK. The price depends on one or both ovaries, keyhole or open surgery and the hospital stay. Written quotes confirm the exact cost.
It is a significant operation under general anaesthesia, though keyhole surgery is gentler than open surgery. Most women leave hospital within one or two days, but the operation still needs proper recovery time.
After keyhole surgery many women return to desk work in one to two weeks and exercise after four to six weeks. Open surgery usually needs four to six weeks before normal activity.
Many women are offered hormone replacement therapy after removal of both ovaries, unless there is a reason not to, such as some hormone-sensitive cancers. The decision is individual and should be agreed with your surgeon and doctor.
With one ovary and a healthy uterus and tubes, pregnancy is possible. After both ovaries are removed you cannot conceive with your own eggs, so fertility preservation should be discussed before surgery.
Yes. A hysterectomy removes the uterus, and the ovaries may be left in place. Oophorectomy removes the ovaries and may leave the uterus. Some women have both operations, so confirm in writing what will be removed.
Short-term risks include infection, bleeding, organ injury and blood clots. If both ovaries are removed before natural menopause, longer-term effects include menopausal symptoms and bone loss, which are managed with follow-up.
Usually four to seven nights after keyhole surgery, so the surgeon can check the wounds and discuss pathology and hormone treatment before the flight. Open surgery or cancer cases may need longer.
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