What is the Menopause?
Menopause is when a woman’s periods stop due to lower hormone levels. Ovaries produce the hormones oestrogen, progesterone and testosterone. When a woman approaches the menopause, less oestrogen is produced causing the body to behave differently.
The menopause usually occurs between 45 and 55 years of age. The average age of a natural menopause is 51 years old, but it can happen at any time.
Signs of the menopause can appear very suddenly, and are sometimes quite severe. They can include:
- changes to your period
- hot flushes, dizziness
- difficulty sleeping (insomnia)
- changes to your mood, anxiety
- problems with your memory
It is usually a gradual process that progresses over several years. Some cancer treatments can cause you to experience menopause symptoms differently, and sometimes at a younger age.
Find out more about the menopause and symptoms here:
Cancer and the menopause
Cancer treatments can sometimes trigger the menopause, often leading to more severe symptoms than those of natural menopause.
For some, these symptoms are manageable, while others find they really impact their quality of life.
Menopause after cancer can happen for different reasons:
– If you were on HRT (Hormone Replacement Therapy) when diagnosed with cancer, you may have needed to stop it. Stopping HRT can cause menopausal symptoms to return
– Surgical Menopause is when a woman is triggered into menopause if her ovaries have been removed in surgery. In younger women especially this can lead to menopause starting much earlier and can be very abrupt
– Medical Menopause – chemotherapy drugs can damage or destroy the eggs in your ovaries. If enough are damaged, the ovaries stop functioning properly, leading to early menopause. Women closer to natural menopause age are more likely to go into menopause permanently after chemotherapy. Younger women may have a temporary menopause and recover ovarian function later
– Radiotherapy targeted near to your pelvis can damage your ovaries directly. If you receive total body radiation (e.g. before a bone marrow transplant) this almost always leads to menopause
Living through menopause after cancer
Whether it’s natural menopause or menopause after cancer, everyone’s experience is different and individual to them.
Going through menopause after cancer can be tough, especially if hormone replacement therapy (HRT) cannot be used.
There are many treatment and support options available that can help manage your symptoms without hormones. Ask your GP or cancer care team what services are available. You may need to be referred to a specialist menopause clinic.
Finding the right solution may take some time but with the right approach, it is possible to manage symptoms and live well after cancer treatment.
Menopause and Cancer is a charity that supports everyone affected by menopause after cancer. Visit their website here:
Useful Links
You can find out more about the menopause and cancer on these websites:
Cancer Care Map
Support can be a lifeline for people affected by cancer. There is a wide range of services available in the Wessex area and further afield.
Cancer Care Map is a simple, free, online resource to help you find cancer support services near you.
To find support groups and services in your local area, click on the Cancer Care Map logo and enter your postcode in the search box. You can refine your search for more specific services, or browse the types of services available.
If you have any questions about the information on this page please Contact Us