As more information becomes known about reproductive organ health in transmasculine people, patients are increasingly given the option of retaining either one or both ovaries with their Hysterectomy surgery. This rundown of the pros and cons of removing or retaining ovaries will help with this important decision.

Isn't life-long HRT required if the ovaries are removed?

"Long term HRT is not required. There is a whole population subset of patients not taking hormones. Yes, they are susceptible to osteoporosis but there are other non-hormonal medications for prevention and/or treatment. If a patient wants estrogen on board then keep the ovaries, but if estrogen causes dysphoria, then using hormone replacement therapy with preferred testosterone would be better. Testosterone helps prevent osteoporosis. I ask patients that if they were without hormones, which one would they prefer to be on. If it's testosterone then they should continue testosterone. The ovaries would not provide any benefit." — Dr. Heidi Wittenberg