Menopause is the natural and gradual process where the ovaries stop producing eggs and your period stops. It typically begins between the ages of 45 and 55.
Some cancer treatments can affect the normal functioning of the ovaries. This can lead to infertility and an earlier than expected onset of menopause, even at a young age.
It can be called:
- Medically induced menopause
- Premature menopause
- Early menopause
The onset of menopause in this situation can be sudden and distressing. Symptoms occur because of a change in your hormones: oestrogen and progesterone.
Symptoms can include:
- A change in menstrual periods
- Hot flushes
- Night sweats
- Difficulty sleeping
- Fatigue
- Vaginal dryness
- Loss of interest in sexual activity
- Memory and attention difficulties
- Mood changes
- Changes in body shape and composition
Menopause symptoms can be more severe after cancer than natural menopause. This is because the body hasn’t had time to get used to the hormone changes. It is important to speak to your treatment team about troublesome menopausal symptoms. These symptoms may need management with medication.
Premature or early menopause can have an impact on long term health, with an increased risk of:
- Heart disease
- Osteoporosis
- Depression and anxiety
Management for long term health may include:
- Medical therapies, including menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) and treatment to improve bone strength
- Exercise, including weight bearing exercise
- Weight control
- Quitting smoking
- Minimising alcohol intake
- Nutrition, including adequate calcium intake and vitamin D
- Counselling
- Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)
- Referral to a specialist centre
More information:
- Early_menopause_chemotherapy_and_radiation_therapy.pdf
- Early menopause | The Royal Women’s Hospital
- Early Menopause: Women’s Experiences – Healthtalk Australia
- Early menopause and cancer webinar – Counterpart
- Medically induced menopause | Jean Hailes
- Premature and early menopause fact sheet | Jean Hailes
References
- Brain fog in menopause: a health-care professional’s guide for decision-making and counseling on cognition
- Managing menopause after cancer – The Lancet
- Optimising health after early menopause – The Lancet
- Premature menopause or early menopause: long-term health consequences – PMC
- Premature ovarian insufficiency, early menopause, and induced menopause – ScienceDirect
