---
title: "Shrinking ovaries | Sutter Health"
description: "I had a partial hysterectomy 18 years ago (my ovaries were not removed). Lately I've been having pain and cramping, so recently had x-rays and an ultrasound. The doctor could not find my ovaries. Can ovaries just disappear on their own?"
url: "/ask-an-expert/answers/shrinking-ovaries-1051061087"
---

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2.  Shrinking ovaries

# Shrinking ovaries

* * *

Medically reviewed by

-   Heidi Wittenberg, M.D., M.S., FPMRS

## Question

I had a partial hysterectomy 18 years ago (my ovaries were not removed). Lately I've been having pain and cramping, so recently had x-rays and an ultrasound. The doctor could not find my ovaries. Can ovaries just disappear on their own?

## Answer

If ovaries are not removed surgically, they are still present. After menopause, our ovaries do shrink. Pre-menopause ovaries are 3-4cm, but after menopause they can be 0.5cm-1.0cm. The older we get, the smaller they become but they never disappear.

Sometimes imaging with ultrasound, MRI or CT can have a hard time identifying ovaries for a multitude of reasons, with the most common being menopausal ovaries or lots of gas in the bowel, which can hide the ovaries.

## Explore related topics

MenopauseWomen's healthGynecologic Health

## Meet our care team

Heidi Wittenberg, M.D., M.S., FPMRS

Urogynecology Gynecology Reconstructive Surgery

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