Oophorectomy is a surgical procedure that is done to remove one or both of the ovaries. The ovaries are small almond-shaped organs on each side of the uterus in the pelvis. They contain eggs and produce the hormones that control the menstrual cycle.
Oophorectomy can be done on its own, but it is often done as part of a larger surgery to remove the uterus (hysterectomy). It may also be done with surgery to remove the fallopian tubes (salpingectomy) as the ovaries and fallopian tubes share a common blood supply. When these 2 procedures are combined, it is called a salpingo-oophorectomy.