A salpingo-oophorectomy is a surgical procedure that removes a fallopian tube and an ovary. Depending on the medical reason for surgery, the procedure may involve one side (unilateral salpingo-oophorectomy) or both sides (bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy). It may be recommended for certain ovarian or fallopian tube conditions, including suspicious ovarian masses, severe endometriosis, ovarian torsion, tubo-ovarian disease, or cancer and cancer-risk management in appropriately selected patients.

Because removing one or both ovaries can have important implications for fertility and hormone production, careful evaluation and counseling are essential before planned surgery.

At Y Queen Women's Clinic in Gangnam, Seoul, we provide comprehensive gynecological evaluation and consultation for women who may require salpingo-oophorectomy. Our English-speaking women's health team welcomes Korean residents, expats, international residents, business travelers, and medical tourists seeking professional women's healthcare in Korea.

Our OB-GYN specialists evaluate ovarian and fallopian tube conditions using pelvic ultrasound, clinical assessment, and additional testing when appropriate. If hospital-based surgery is required, referral to an appropriate gynecologic surgeon or medical center can be coordinated.

What Is a Salpingo-Oophorectomy?

A salpingo-oophorectomy is surgery to remove an ovary together with its corresponding fallopian tube.

There are two main types:

Unilateral Salpingo-Oophorectomy

One ovary and one fallopian tube are removed.

Bilateral Salpingo-Oophorectomy

Both ovaries and both fallopian tubes are removed.

The effects on fertility and hormone production differ significantly depending on whether one or both ovaries are removed.

Why Is Salpingo-Oophorectomy Performed?

The procedure may be considered for conditions including:

• Suspicious ovarian masses
• Certain large or complex ovarian cysts
• Severe ovarian damage
• Ovarian torsion when the ovary cannot be preserved
• Severe endometriosis in selected cases
• Tubo-ovarian abscess or severe pelvic infection in selected cases
• Fallopian tube disease
• Ovarian, fallopian tube, or related gynecologic cancers
• Risk-reducing surgery for selected patients with a high inherited cancer risk

Whenever medically appropriate, ovarian preservation may be considered, particularly in premenopausal patients.

Salpingo-Oophorectomy vs. Ovarian Cystectomy

These procedures are different.

Ovarian Cystectomy

Removes an ovarian cyst while preserving as much healthy ovarian tissue as possible.

Salpingo-Oophorectomy

Removes an ovary and its associated fallopian tube.

For benign ovarian cysts, cystectomy may be preferred when ovarian preservation is possible. Removal of the ovary may become necessary when the ovary is severely damaged or when other clinical concerns are present.

Salpingo-Oophorectomy vs. Salpingectomy

A salpingectomy removes a fallopian tube without removing the ovary.

A salpingo-oophorectomy removes both the fallopian tube and ovary on the affected side.

Preserving an ovary can be important for maintaining natural hormone production and reproductive potential in appropriate patients.

Who May Need a Salpingo-Oophorectomy?

Your doctor may consider the procedure if you have:

• A persistent or suspicious ovarian mass
• A complex ovarian cyst
• Severe ovarian endometriosis
• Significant ovarian damage
• Ovarian torsion
• Certain fallopian tube disorders
• A suspected gynecologic malignancy
• A confirmed cancer diagnosis requiring surgery
• A documented high hereditary risk for ovarian or fallopian tube cancer

The decision depends on your age, diagnosis, imaging findings, symptoms, fertility goals, and overall health.

How Are Ovarian and Fallopian Tube Conditions Evaluated?

Before planned surgery, evaluation may include:

• Medical history review
• Menstrual history
• Pregnancy and fertility history
• Pelvic examination
• Pelvic or transvaginal ultrasound
• Pregnancy testing when appropriate
• Blood tests
• Tumor markers when clinically indicated
• MRI or other imaging in selected cases
• Family cancer history assessment
• Genetic counseling or testing when appropriate

The required evaluation depends on the reason surgery is being considered.

What Happens During Your Consultation?

Your appointment may include:

• Detailed symptom assessment
• Medical and surgical history
• Pelvic examination when appropriate
• Pelvic ultrasound
• Review of previous imaging
• Assessment of ovarian or fallopian tube abnormalities
• Discussion of ovarian preservation
• Fertility counseling
• Discussion of hormonal consequences
• Review of surgical options
• Referral to an appropriate surgeon when necessary

Your doctor will explain why surgery may or may not be recommended and discuss available alternatives when appropriate.

How Is Salpingo-Oophorectomy Performed?

Depending on the condition, surgery may be performed using:

• Laparoscopic surgery
• Robotic-assisted surgery in selected facilities
• Open abdominal surgery

Minimally invasive surgery may offer smaller incisions and shorter recovery for appropriately selected patients.

The surgical approach depends on the diagnosis, size and characteristics of any mass, previous surgeries, cancer concerns, and the treating surgeon's recommendation.

Does Salpingo-Oophorectomy Affect Fertility?

It can.

After a unilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, the remaining ovary and fallopian tube may continue to support natural conception if they are healthy and other fertility factors are favorable.

After a bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, natural conception using your own eggs is no longer possible because both ovaries have been removed.

For premenopausal patients who may want future children, fertility implications should be discussed carefully before planned surgery.

Does Salpingo-Oophorectomy Cause Menopause?

The answer depends on whether one or both ovaries are removed.

One Ovary Removed

If the remaining ovary functions normally, immediate menopause generally does not occur.

Both Ovaries Removed

Removing both functioning ovaries before natural menopause causes surgical menopause because estrogen and progesterone production falls abruptly.

Possible symptoms include:

• Hot flashes
• Night sweats
• Vaginal dryness
• Sleep disturbances
• Mood changes
• Changes in sexual function

Long-term considerations may include bone and cardiovascular health.

Hormone Therapy After Bilateral Salpingo-Oophorectomy

Hormone therapy may be considered for some women who undergo removal of both ovaries before natural menopause.

Whether hormone therapy is appropriate depends on:

• Age
• Reason for surgery
• Cancer history
• Personal medical history
• Cardiovascular and blood-clot risk
• Other individual health factors

Hormone treatment should be individualized after consultation with your physician.

Risk-Reducing Salpingo-Oophorectomy

Some patients with a substantially increased hereditary risk of ovarian and fallopian tube cancer may be advised to consider risk-reducing bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy.

This may apply to selected patients with pathogenic variants in genes such as BRCA1 or BRCA2.

Because surgery has major fertility and hormonal consequences, decisions about preventive surgery should involve appropriate genetic counseling and specialist evaluation.

Risks and Possible Complications

As with any surgery, salpingo-oophorectomy has potential risks.

These may include:

• Bleeding
• Infection
• Anesthesia-related complications
• Blood clots
• Injury to nearby organs or blood vessels
• Pelvic adhesions
• Need for additional surgery
• Fertility changes
• Surgical menopause when both ovaries are removed

Your surgeon will explain the risks relevant to your individual procedure.

Recovery After Salpingo-Oophorectomy

Recovery depends on the surgical approach and the reason for surgery.

After treatment, patients may experience:

• Abdominal or pelvic discomfort
• Fatigue
• Temporary vaginal spotting
• Incision discomfort
• Temporary limitations on physical activity

Recovery is often shorter after uncomplicated minimally invasive surgery than after open abdominal surgery.

Your surgical team will provide specific instructions about returning to work, exercise, lifting, sexual activity, and follow-up care.

How Should I Prepare for a Consultation?

Before your appointment:

• Bring previous ultrasound, CT, or MRI reports if available
• List your medications and supplements
• Bring relevant surgical records
• Record pelvic pain or other symptoms
• Consider your future fertility goals
• Provide relevant family history of ovarian or breast cancer
• Prepare questions about ovarian preservation and hormone health

This information helps your doctor develop an individualized management plan.

Salpingo-Oophorectomy Consultation Cost in Seoul

At Y Queen Women's Clinic:

• Consultation fees vary depending on the evaluation required.
• Additional costs may apply for pelvic ultrasound, laboratory testing, or other diagnostic examinations.
• If surgery is recommended, hospital and surgical costs depend on the procedure, anesthesia, hospitalization, pathology, and treating facility.

Your treatment options and expected costs can be discussed before surgical referral.

Why Choose Y Queen Women's Clinic?

International patients choose Y Queen because of its:

• English-speaking medical support
• Experienced OB-GYN specialists
• Comprehensive ovarian and pelvic evaluation
• Pelvic ultrasound available
• Ovarian cyst and mass assessment
• Endometriosis evaluation
• Fertility-conscious counseling
• Menopause and hormone counseling
• Personalized treatment planning
• Comfortable, private consultation rooms
• Convenient Gangnam location
• Foreigner-friendly appointment process
• Surgical referral coordination when required

We provide individualized gynecological care focused on accurate diagnosis, appropriate treatment, and careful consideration of fertility and hormonal health.

Convenient Location in Gangnam

Y Queen Women's Clinic is located in Gangnam, Seoul, with convenient access near Apgujeong Rodeo Station.

The clinic is accessible for international patients living, working, studying, or staying in Gangnam, Cheongdam, Sinsa, Itaewon, Myeongdong, and other central Seoul neighborhoods.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a salpingo-oophorectomy?

A salpingo-oophorectomy is surgery that removes an ovary

and its corresponding fallopian tube. It may involve one side or both sides.

What is the difference between unilateral

and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy?

A unilateral procedure removes one ovary and one fallopian tube.

A bilateral procedure removes both ovaries and both fallopian tubes.

Can foreigners get a salpingo-oophorectomy consultation in Seoul?

Yes. Y Queen Women's Clinic welcomes international patients and provides English-speaking gynecological consultations.

Will I go into menopause after surgery?

Removing one ovary does not usually cause immediate menopause if the other ovary functions normally. Removing both functioning ovaries before natural menopause causes surgical menopause.

Can I become pregnant after one ovary and tube are removed?

Natural pregnancy may still be possible when the remaining ovary

and fallopian tube are healthy and other fertility factors are favorable.

Can I become pregnant after both ovaries are removed?

Natural conception using your own eggs is no longer possible after both ovaries are removed. Patients concerned about future fertility should discuss fertility preservation before planned surgery whenever possible.

Is an ovarian cystectomy better than removing an ovary?

When a cyst appears benign and ovarian preservation is medically appropriate, cystectomy may allow the cyst to be removed while retaining healthy ovarian tissue. The best approach depends on the individual condition.

Is salpingo-oophorectomy used to reduce ovarian cancer risk?

Yes, risk-reducing bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy may be recommended for selected patients with a substantially elevated hereditary cancer risk after appropriate specialist and genetic counseling.

How long does recovery take?

Recovery varies according to the surgical approach and individual condition. Minimally invasive surgery generally has a shorter recovery period than open abdominal surgery.

Does Y Queen Women's Clinic perform salpingo-oophorectomy surgery?

Y Queen Women's Clinic can provide gynecological evaluation, pelvic ultrasound, treatment counseling, and assessment for ovarian or fallopian tube conditions. When hospital-based salpingo-oophorectomy is required, referral to an appropriate gynecologic surgeon or medical center can be coordinated.