Hi! I am 52 and had a total abdominal hysterectomy on 4/15th. The reason was that I had developed ovarian cysts a year prior and they never were discarded after my periods. We kept a close watch on them during that year but beginning last November I had to go to the ER because I thought one had become twisted (EXQUISITE pain). It turned out it hadn't but I was back in the ER the beginning of April and that's when I decided to have them removed. I could not live on Vioxx indefinitely.
This time the right ovary had twisted five times and was under the uterus when they removed it. I cannot describe the pain.

I also had about seven fibroids but they really weren't giving me any pain.
At any rate, I opted to have my ovaries because they were diseased. Ovarian cysts are common and generally pose no threat. Unfortunately, mine did.

If you had told me three months ago that I would have a total abdominal hysterectomy and be on hormones I would have said, "NO WAY!"
But, things happen and now that everything is over, I feel I made a great decision. I am pain free, recuperation for me was unbelievable and I couldn't feel better. I am on the lowest dosage of Vivelle Dot and have not had one hot flash. I plan to go off after summer, BUT I am feeling so well that many people are encouraging me to stay on it a while. I have never heard that you need to be on hormones for life. Menapause, at most, lasts ten years and that is not the norm.

So...unless your ovaries are diseased, I would keep them. They do provide hormones and your body needs those.

Plus, only being 25 I would think you would have to be on hormones for a long time and I worry about that. Natural is definitely best.

Good luck in reaching a decision. Consider all of your options carefully!

Karon