Es Determine Hysterectomy Oophorectomy Necessity

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name: es-determine-hysterectomy-oophorectomy-necessity
description: Assesses whether hysterectomy and oophorectomy are medically necessary as part of gender-affirming surgery for transgender patients. Triggered when a patient is planning gender-affirming surgery and clinicians need to determine if total hysterectomy and oophorectomy should be included.
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# Determine medical necessity of hysterectomy and oophorectomy for gender-affirming surgery

## STEP 1 — Gather Information
Collect sex assigned at birth, gender identity, planned gender-affirming procedures, current hormone regimen, fertility desires, personal/family history of reproductive tract cancer, discomfort with gynecologic care, and confirm presence of uterus and ovaries.  

## STEP 2 — Rule In / Rule Out
Determine if the patient possesses a uterus and ovaries (assigned female at birth). If no, hysterectomy/oophorectomy are not applicable; stop. If yes, proceed to evaluate necessity.  

## STEP 3 — Classify or Stratify
Stratify by fertility preservation desire and cancer risk tolerance: If patient desires future biological fertility, consider fertility‑sparing options or delay; if no fertility desire and patient reports gynecologic discomfort or seeks cancer risk reduction, classify as candidate for total hysterectomy and oophorectomy.  

## STEP 4 — Decide
For candidates, recommend inclusion of total hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo‑oophorectomy in the gender‑affirming surgical plan; for those desiring fertility, discuss oocyte/embryo cryopreservation and revisit decision after fertility goals are met.  

## Clinical Guardrails / Mimics / Pitfalls
Do not perform hysterectomy/oophorectomy based solely on gender identity without assessing individual risk and preference; avoid surgery in patients wishing to retain fertility without adequate preservation counseling; ensure informed consent regarding surgical menopause and lifelong hormone replacement if ovaries are removed.  

## Concrete Clinical Example
A 22‑year‑old transgender man assigned female at birth, on testosterone for 18 months, planning metoidioplasty, reports severe dysmenorrhea and desires no future pregnancy; after counseling, total hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo‑oophorectomy is added to his surgical plan.  

**Source:** Endocrine Society Clinical Practice Guideline, Endocrine Society, 2017, DOI:10.1210/jc.2017-01658