What is salpingo-oophorectomy?
Permanent surgical removal of the ovaries.
It's also known as Oophorectomy.
What does salpingo-oophorectomy do?
- Lower body
Removes ovaries
- Fertility
Causes permanent infertility
- Menstruation
Stops
Who can have salpingo-oophorectomy?
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You must have had 12 continuous months living as your gender identity
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You must have had 12 continuous months of HRT, unless you’re unable to
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You must have capacity to consent for this treatment
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If you have significant medical conditions, these need to be “reasonably well-controlled”
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Under 18s cannot have this but can be referred at 17
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You typically need a BMI of less than 30
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Outside of Scotland this is only commissioned as a part of phalloplasty or metoidioplasty
How long does salpingo-oophorectomy last?
The effects are permanent and cannot be reversed.
What should I be aware of?
Warning
Salpingo-oophorectomy results in permanent destruction of the ovaries and is irreversible. After oophorectomy you will be infertile and unable to have children unless you have previously carried out gamete storage (i.e. egg storage).
Warning
After salpingo-oophorectomy, you will need to take at least one sex hormone (oestrogen and/or testosterone) in order to prevent medical problems like osteoporosis.
How do I get salpingo-oophorectomy?
You will normally need to meet the following conditions to be eligible for salpingo-oophorectomy:
- persistent and well-documented gender dysphoria
- capacity to make fully informed decisions and to consent to treatment
- if significant medical or mental health concerns are present, they must be reasonably well controlled
- two medical opinions, usually at least one from a gender clinic, that surgery is appropriate
- 12 months’ continuous endocrine treatment as appropriate to the patient’s goals (unless the patient has medical contraindications or is otherwise unable to take hormones) 1.
Salpingo-oophorectomy for other medical reasons is not subject to these requirements.
NGICNS maintains a list of NHS surgery providers providing various gender-related surgeries. At the moment, all of these surgeons are based in England, so you will have to travel if you live in another part of the UK. If you have decided to pay for your own surgery, rather than using NHS funding, there are additional options available to you. For more information about these private surgery options read our private surgery page.
Salpingo-oophorectomy is often carried out as part of hysterectomy surgery, which removes the uterus (womb).
How do I get ready for surgery?
Doing some preparation in advance can help make sure everything goes smoothly during your hospital stay and recovery. To help you avoid forgetting to do or buy something we have created a Getting ready for gender surgeries page.
How much will it cost?
Outside of Scotland, this is usually only funded as part of phalloplasty or metoidioplasty
The NHS will normally fund total salpingo-oophorectomy and total hysterectomy for patients who are undergoing testosterone therapy.
References
- 1.Royal College of Psychiatrists (2013) “Good practice guidelines for the assessment and treatment of adults with gender dysphoria.” Link
Acknowledgements
This page is illustrated using a photograph by Павел Сорокин available at Pexels.
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