Early medical or surgical menopause

Understand early medical or surgical menopause, its causes, and how to manage the symptoms effectively for a better quality of life.

What is menopause?

Natural menopause happens when the ovaries gradually stop working, periods stop, and you can no longer get pregnant naturally. This usually occurs between ages 45 and 55.

Cancer treatment and early menopause

Some cancer treatments can cause early menopause, also called induced menopause or premature ovarian insufficiency (POI). When menopause happens suddenly, symptoms can be more severe than natural menopause because your body hasn’t had time to slowly adjust to lower hormone levels.

Common symptoms

Most menopause symptoms are caused by a drop in your body’s oestrogen levels. These may include:

• aching joints
• mood changes
• hot flushes
• night sweats
• trouble sleeping
• dry vagina
• reduced libido
• dry or itchy skin
• needing to pee more often
• brain fog.

Menopause can also weaken your bones (osteoporosis or osteopenia).

Managing symptoms

There are medicines and other ways to help with low or no oestrogen. Speak to your doctor to find out what’s best for you.

Be careful with herbal or over-the-counter products, or anything you find online. These may not be safe and may interact with prescription medicines or your cancer treatments. Always talk to your doctor about any supplements.

Emotional impact

Early menopause may affect how you feel about yourself. You may feel older than your age, less feminine or less attractive. But for some people, not having periods is a relief.

Getting support

Learn more about fertility issues and tips on coping with a dry vagina caused by menopause. You can also make an appointment at a menopause clinic to talk about ways to manage symptoms and how they may be affecting your sex life.

For more on this, visit menopause.org.au and jeanhailes.org.au.

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