I am 42 and had a hysterectomy leaving both ovaries. i have some on and off medical issues but nothing serious. do i need to worry about getting yearly physicals and if yes when should i schedule those? example once a year, once every two years?

It is advisable for an asymptomatic postmenopausal (or post-hysterectomy) female to have an annual pelvic exam and pelvic sonogram to screen for ovarian cancer. And, at the time of any abdominal or pelvic surgery, a discussion should take place in consideration of the advisability of removing the ovaries in the interest of preventing ovarian cancer. Annual physicals are the bare minimum.

Without pain, signs of infection or other gyn symptoms, every two years should be appropriate for a gyn exam: "hot flashes", increased mood swings may be better controlled by ovarian suppression with oral bcp's to suppress increased estrogen and withdrawal symptoms caused by diminished ovulation in early menopause.

It would be useful to know what the indication for your hysterectomy was...and whether it was "total" or "subtotal= supracervical"; if your cervix was not removed, Pap tests and cervical screening would still be advised. Depending on your family history and on your personal gyn history, your gynecologist may recommend exam and a pelvic sonogram of your ovaries periodically (once every 2 or 3 years