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.
→ READ MORE: Concerns for partners
Podcast: Find Calm During Cancer
Listen to more of our meditation and relaxation podcast
More resources
Dr Michael Lowy, Sexual Health Physician, Sydney Men’s Health, NSW; Gregory Bock, Clinical Nurse Consultant – Oncology Coordinator, Urology Cancer Nurse Coordination Service, Cancer Network WA; Anita Brown-Major, Occupational Therapist and Director, Thrive Rehab, VIC; Helena Green, Psychosexual Therapist and Clinical Sexologist, Insync for Life Psychology and Women Centre, WA; Dr Lisa Mackenzie, Clinical Psychologist, HNE Centre for Gynaecological Cancer, Hunter New England Local Health District, NSW; Dr Tonia Mezzini, Sexual Health Physician, East Obstetrics and Gynaecology, SA; Sophie Otto, Prostate Cancer Nurse Consultant – Central Adelaide Local Health Network (CALHN), SA; Giovanna Raco, 13 11 20 Consultant, Cancer Council Victoria; Kath Schubach, Urology Nurse Practitioner, VIC; Emily Stevens, Gynaecology Oncology Clinical Nurse Consultant, Southern Adelaide Local Health Network, Flinders Medical Centre, SA; Anja Vukovic, Clinical Specialist Social Worker, Gynaecological Oncology, Westmead Hospital, NSW; Alan White, Consumer; Kathleen Wilkins, Consumer; Merran Williams, Consumer.
View the Cancer Council NSW editorial policy.
