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Gynaecology · UK

Oophorectomy - ovary removal, done properly.

Removal of one or both ovaries - with or without the fallopian tubes, laparoscopically, robotically or open. A consultant gynaecologist, the full menopause and fertility conversation up front, and an MDT for BRCA and suspected cancer.

See indicative pricing
A radiographer guides a patient onto the bed of an advanced 3 Tesla MRI scanner in a London imaging suite

Indicative pricing

What a private oophorectomy costs in the UK.

Indicative ranges across our partner gynaecology units.

In short

£5,500–£9,000, home day-case or one night.

Procedure Indicative range
Laparoscopic unilateral oophorectomy £4,000–£6,500
Laparoscopic bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy (BSO) £5,500–£9,000
Robotic-assisted laparoscopic BSO £8,000–£15,000
Open (laparotomy) oophorectomy £6,000–£11,000
BSO combined with hysterectomy £14,000–£22,000
Risk-reducing BSO (BRCA/Lynch) £5,500–£9,500
Gynaecology consultation only £250–£450

Prices vary by hospital, by the consultant, by approach (laparoscopic, robotic, open), and by whether a hysterectomy is done at the same sitting. Robotic and combined cases are always the top of the range.

The problem

The right extent, the right approach, and the menopause plan you deserve.

Oophorectomy is where general gynaecology quietly under-delivers - cystectomy alternatives skipped, tubes left in, HRT decisions parked. We fix all three before you consent.

  • Could the ovary be kept?

    For many cysts, a cystectomy preserves the ovary and its hormones. We say so before recommending removal.

  • Take the tubes with it

    Most so-called ovarian cancers start in the fallopian tube. Salpingo-oophorectomy - not oophorectomy alone - is now the standard.

  • Plan menopause on the same day you plan the operation

    HRT, bone, heart, fertility freezing - decided before you consent, not after you wake up with hot flushes.

When it helps

When oophorectomy is the right step.

The situations we see most, plus the one red flag that means gynae-oncology urgently rather than a routine appointment.

  • Persistent or complex ovarian cyst

    A cyst that will not resolve, is complex on imaging, causes pain or torsion - where cystectomy alone is not enough.

  • Ovarian mass with cancer suspicion

    A suspicious mass on US or MRI, or raised CA-125 - needs oophorectomy with staging by a gynae-oncologist.

  • Endometrioma refractory to surgery

    A chocolate cyst that has recurred after ovarian-preserving surgery and continues to cause pain or infertility.

  • Ovarian torsion (non-viable ovary)

    A twisted ovary that has lost its blood supply and cannot be salvaged - removal is the only option.

  • Chronic pelvic pain from ovarian pathology

    Pain reliably traced to the ovary, unresponsive to hormonal and conservative treatment.

  • Concurrent with hysterectomy

    For benign disease, removal of the ovaries with the uterus is a personal choice - reduces future ovarian cancer risk but induces menopause if premenopausal.

  • Risk-reducing (BRCA1/2, Lynch)

    BSO for BRCA1 at 35–40, BRCA2 at 40–45, and for Lynch, RAD51D/C, BRIP1 - cuts ovarian cancer risk by 80–95%.

  • Red flag: rapidly growing mass with ascites

    A fast-growing pelvic mass with fluid, weight loss or bloating is urgent gynae-oncology - same-week two-week-wait referral, not a routine booking.

Procedure options

Approach and extent both depend on the indication.

What each option involves - approach (laparoscopic, robotic, open, vaginal) and extent (one ovary or both, tubes in or out, with or without hysterectomy).

  • Laparoscopic oophorectomy

    The workhorse for benign and risk-reducing cases. Three or four small ports, 30–90 minutes, day-case or one night. See the dedicated laparoscopic detail page.

  • Robotic-assisted laparoscopic

    Da Vinci platform. Better dexterity for dense adhesions, deep endometriosis or higher BMI. Outcomes comparable to standard laparoscopic in experienced hands.

  • Open (laparotomy) oophorectomy

    For very large masses, suspected cancer needing staging (washings, omentectomy, node sampling), extensive adhesions or prior major pelvic surgery.

  • Vaginal oophorectomy

    Rare for isolated removal - sometimes performed alongside a vaginal hysterectomy where anatomy allows.

  • Unilateral vs bilateral

    One ovary preserves hormones and fertility. Bilateral removes both - permanent infertility and, if premenopausal, immediate surgical menopause.

  • Salpingo-oophorectomy (SO/BSO)

    Ovary plus fallopian tube. Now standard where oophorectomy is indicated - tubal removal reduces ovarian cancer risk versus ovary alone.

  • Risk-reducing BSO (RRBSO)

    For BRCA1/2, Lynch, RAD51D/C, BRIP1 carriers. Cuts ovarian cancer risk 80–95% and offers a modest breast cancer risk reduction if done premenopausally in BRCA.

  • BSO with hysterectomy

    Combined with hysterectomy for full pelvic risk reduction, or when both are indicated for benign disease.

Safety and recovery

What to expect afterwards - honestly.

Oophorectomy is a well-established operation. The things worth planning are the approach, the extent, and - for premenopausal bilateral cases - the menopause and fertility plan.

  • GA in a proper theatre, with a gynae-anaesthetist

    Every approach is under general anaesthetic. Day-case is realistic for laparoscopic and most robotic cases; open laparotomy is 2–4 nights.

  • Bleeding, and injury to nearby structures

    Bleeding, and injury to ureter, bladder or bowel each occur in under 1 percent of cases. The team is set up to recognise and repair on the table.

  • Infection, DVT and PE

    Wound and pelvic infection under 2 percent. DVT prophylaxis (stockings, heparin, early mobilisation) is standard. Call the same day for fever, calf pain or breathlessness.

  • Adhesions, ovarian remnant, hernia

    Longer-term: adhesions, rare ovarian remnant syndrome if any tissue is left behind, port-site hernia (laparoscopic) or incisional hernia (open).

  • Surgical menopause is the big one

    Bilateral removal before natural menopause causes immediate hot flushes, poor sleep, mood change, genitourinary symptoms, bone loss and rising cardiovascular risk.

  • HRT until age 50 unless contraindicated

    For most premenopausal women after BSO - including BRCA carriers without breast cancer - HRT until around age 50 protects bone, heart and brain. We plan it before surgery.

  • Fertility loss is permanent after bilateral

    Bilateral oophorectomy ends natural fertility. If children are planned, egg or embryo freezing must happen before surgery - a referral we make routinely.

  • Cancer risk reduction after RRBSO

    Ovarian cancer risk falls by 80–95 percent after BSO in BRCA carriers. A small residual peritoneal risk remains; symptoms of bloating or pain still deserve review.

  • Red flags after surgery

    Fever, spreading redness, heavy vaginal bleeding, severe abdominal pain, shortness of breath or calf pain need the same-day team or A&E, not a routine call.

Reading your operation note

Your operation note in four parts. Read the last one first.

Whichever approach was used - laparoscopic, robotic or open - the note the gynaecologist sends you keeps to the same shape.

A UK consultant gynaecologist reviewing a patient’s operation notes

A quiet reminder

Surgical language is precise and can read coldly - we translate it for you.

If you would like us to talk you through the operation note and the histology before your review, just ask.

  1. 01 Header

    Indication, extent and approach

    Why the operation was done, whether one or both ovaries went, whether tubes came with them, and whether it was laparoscopic, robotic or open.

  2. 02 Technique

    Anatomy, findings and adjuncts

    What was seen inside the pelvis - adhesions, endometriosis, other pelvic pathology - and whether washings, omentectomy or nodes were taken for staging.

  3. 03 Findings

    Histology and residual risk

    What the pathologist reported on the removed tissue. For risk-reducing cases: whether any occult cancer or STIC lesion was found in the tubes.

  4. 04 Impression

    Menopause plan, HRT, follow-up

    Read this first: the HRT plan if premenopausal + bilateral, bone and heart follow-up, and any oncology surveillance needed.

Recognised by major UK insurers

BupaAXA HealthVitalityAvivaWPACignaHealixBupaAXA HealthVitalityAvivaWPACignaHealixBupaAXA HealthVitalityAvivaWPACignaHealix

Oophorectomy is usually covered when medically indicated. Risk-reducing BSO for BRCA and Lynch carriers is often covered under genetic-risk pathways.

Frequently asked

Everything we get asked about oophorectomy.

Quick answers on menopause, fertility, BRCA risk-reduction, cost and recovery.

  • What is the difference between oophorectomy and salpingo-oophorectomy?

    Oophorectomy removes the ovary alone. Salpingo-oophorectomy removes the ovary with its fallopian tube. Tubal removal is now standard because most so-called ovarian cancers actually start in the tube - taking the tube lowers future ovarian cancer risk without changing hormone effects.

  • Will I go through menopause after oophorectomy?

    Only if both ovaries are removed and you were premenopausal. One ovary is enough to keep hormones going. Bilateral removal in a premenopausal woman causes immediate surgical menopause - hot flushes, sleep and mood change, bone loss and cardiovascular risk - which is why HRT until natural menopause age (about 50) is usually recommended.

  • Can I still have children after oophorectomy?

    Unilateral oophorectomy usually preserves fertility - one ovary is sufficient. Bilateral is permanent infertility. If children are planned and bilateral removal is on the table, egg or embryo freezing before surgery is the standard route. We make that referral early.

  • When is risk-reducing BSO recommended for BRCA carriers?

    UK guidance suggests risk-reducing BSO for BRCA1 carriers at 35–40, BRCA2 at 40–45, and for Lynch, RAD51D/C and BRIP1 carriers at ages tailored to the mutation. It reduces ovarian cancer risk by 80–95 percent and, in BRCA if done premenopausally, offers a modest breast cancer risk reduction.

  • Laparoscopic, robotic or open - which is right?

    Most benign and risk-reducing cases are laparoscopic - day-case, small ports, fast recovery. Robotic helps with dense adhesions, deep endometriosis or higher BMI. Open is reserved for very large masses, suspected cancer needing full staging or extensive prior surgery.

  • How much does a private oophorectomy cost in the UK?

    Roughly £4,000–£6,500 for laparoscopic unilateral, £5,500–£9,000 for laparoscopic BSO, £8,000–£15,000 robotic, £6,000–£11,000 open, and £14,000–£22,000 when combined with hysterectomy.

  • How long is recovery?

    Laparoscopic and robotic: back to office work in 1–2 weeks, full activity by 4–6 weeks. Open laparotomy: 4–6 weeks off work and 6–8 weeks to full activity. Driving when you can perform an emergency stop without pain - usually 1–2 weeks laparoscopic, 4–6 weeks open.

  • Is HRT safe after risk-reducing BSO in a BRCA carrier?

    Yes for most BRCA carriers who have not had breast cancer. UK guidance supports HRT until natural menopause age to protect bone, heart and brain - and studies show it does not undo the breast cancer risk reduction from surgery. It is always a personal decision made with your team.

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