Woman Has Lost Both Ovaries: Why Does She Still Have A Period?

Question:

Hi,

My daughter has lost both ovaries due to cysts. The doctor has put her on Progyluton. We are aware that she cannot get pregnant but the doc says she will still have a bleed. Is this so and if so, how come? S. in Barbados

Answer:

Hello S. from Barbados,

I sincerely hope that your daughter was not young because having cysts, if they are not malignant cancerous cysts, is not a reason to remove the ovaries of a young girl or young woman. That would be malpractice.

The reason you daughter has menstrual cycles is because she still has a uterus. It is the uterus that bleeds with the menstrual cycle. The ovary is what causes the uterine lining to grow in preparation for an embryo to implant, but if this does not occur then the lining is shed and cleaned out each month. Then the cycles starts over again. This cycle can be replicated with the birth control pill (progyluton is an estrogen or estradiol, used for hormone replacement therapy).

Thank you for writing,

Dr. Edward J. Ramirez, M.D., FACOG
Executive Medical Director
The Fertility and Gynecology Center
Monterey Bay IVF Program
www.montereybayivf.com
Monterey, California, U.S.A.