Some cancer treatments can cause an early or temporary menopause. Whilst all women will go through menopause, a sudden menopause (due to cancer treatment) can cause more severe symptoms.
The symptoms of early menopause from cancer treatment can last several years and they can change with time. Treatments may also impact fertility. Some cancer treatments may only temporarily bring on menopause, speak to your doctor if you are experiencing menopause symptoms after cancer treatment. [1]
Studies have found that anywhere from 0-40% of women under the age 40 go into permanent menopause as a result of chemotherapy, while 70-90% of women over 40 do. [2]
Cancer Treatments that can cause early menopause include:
References: [1] Cancer Research [2] Breast Cancer.org [3] Cancer Research
Vaginal dryness and discomfort can be relieved with the use of water-based vaginal moisturisers and intimate lubricants. Depending on cause, some doctors may prescribe oestrogen gel to treat vaginal dryness. If menopause or hormonal changes are the cause, you may be offered Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT).
Symptoms taken from GenM
Dani Binnington is a patient's advocate and voice for women in menopause after cancer as well as a cancer survivor herself. She hosts the world's only podcast on Menopause and Cancer and is the founder of The Menopause and Cancer CIC, a non-for-profit organisation aiming to educate women on their options. Dani’s lifestyle platform Healthy Whole Me offers yoga classes, delicious recipes, stress-busting events and oodles of inspiration for an empowered wellbeing experience.
The menopause conversation is really growing. But there’s something that isn’t so widely discussed – menopause after cancer.
Menopause after cancer is a totally different ballgame. People in the cancer community often feel excluded from the wider menopause conversation which can leave women feeling isolated, confusedand fearful.
Depending on the kind of cancer you had, you may have heard that HRT is not a treatment option. So, you’re left on your own, dealing with a double whammy of menopause symptoms and the loneliness and anxiety that can follow cancer treatment.
Let’s start opening up about it so we all realise we’re not alone. That can be a game-changer. We often feel we should not moan as time goes on from our initial treatment, but it important we say it as it is! Besides, if we don’t speak up, our healthcare teams won’t know we need help either.
2. Educate yourself
I always say that we need to educate each other so we all feel more empowered going through this. A good place to start from is my The Menopause And Cancer Podcast. Each week we hear from the most incredible guest experts on all topics of menopause and cancer and it is a fabulous resource for anyone going through this.
3. Track your symptoms
Find an online tool or take out your notepad and pen to track your symptoms. It can be hard to know what is menopause related and what is life, post cancer treatment or something else. Jotting down your symptoms can give you a sense of control but on a more practical basis, it can also help you talk to your doctor about your symptoms without having to look back and try to remember them. I recommend printing out your results to take to an appointment.
4. Ask to see a specialist
As menopause care after cancer is usually more complex, you should be seen by a menopause specialist. Ask your healthcare team to refer you. You can find a link to all specialists on the British Menopause Society website. Top tip: You can be referred outside of the borough that you live in!
5. Persist with your healthcare team
Managing menopause after a cancer diagnosis may be more challenging and require more bespoke care, but it’s absolutely possible to do something about your symptoms. Your symptoms will also change over time so don’t be afraid to go back to your oncology nurse or GP. You’re not a bother!
Going through menopause due to cancer treatment often means it happens very suddenly and symptoms can be more severe. Us cancer survivors don’t get the gradual hormone changes that cause perimenopausal symptoms over the course of a few years – it’s more that our bodies have quit hormones cold turkey, plunging us into menopause suddenly and intensely. It can be very scary sitting at home on your own after cancer treatment’s finished, wondering whether these symptoms are down to menopause, side effects of treatment or even cancer itself. On top of all that, menopausal hormone changes can trigger low mood and anxiety – which can make everything that much harder to cope with.
A recent study by the British Menopause Society [1] on the management of oestrogen deficiency symptoms in women treated for breast cancer advises that the first-line treatment for vaginal dryness should be a vaginal moisturiser or lubricant. This should be offered to patients before any other treatments are considered.
The BMS also recommends that the moisturiser or lubricant given should not contain parabens due to their weak oestrogenic activity. To resolve vaginal dryness without hormones or synthetic chemicals means that firstly the dry tissues need to be rehydrated by the regular use of a water-based moisturiser, and secondly, restoring intimacy will often require the use of an intimate lubricant that offers superior, long-lasting, non-sticky glide.
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