Menopausal symptoms and cancer treatment

The menopause is when you stop having periods. It happens when your ovaries stop producing the same level of sex hormones. So the levels of oestrogen, progesterone and testosterone fall. Gradually your ovaries will stop producing eggs.

In the UK, the menopause usually happens around the age of 51 years. This happens in women, some trans men and some non-binary people.

You might start to have symptoms a few years or months before this. For example, your periods might be irregular and you might have heavier or lighter bleeding. This is called the peri menopause. For many, the peri menopause is a gradual process. You are usually menopausal when you have not had periods for 12 months.

An early menopause happens in women who are under 45. If you have your menopause under 40 years, this is called premature ovarian insufficiency (POI).

Cancer treatments

Some cancer treatments can cause an early menopause. These include:

• surgery to remove the ovaries

• radiotherapy to the pelvis

• drugs that block or lower the amount of hormones in the body (hormone therapy)

• chemotherapy

Some cancer treatments might cause temporary menopause. For example, if you have chemotherapy and, or hormone therapy. 

Your menopause is more likely to be permanent if you are closer to the natural age of menopause. Your doctor might be able to say whether your menopause is likely to be temporary or permanent. But this will be difficult to know for sure.

Some women have already been through the menopause. But their treatment can cause symptoms similar to the menopause.

Effects of early menopause

Early menopause due to cancer treatment can be a shock. It can feel physically and emotionally overwhelming. It can cause difficult symptoms as well as affect your sex life and sexuality.

A sudden menopause, due to treatment, can cause more severe symptoms than a natural menopause. The symptoms can last a number of years and they can change with time.

Menopausal symptoms

Symptoms include:

• hot flushes

• night sweats

• anxiety, low mood and mood changes

• feeling very tired (fatigue) and poor sleep

• problems with thinking, concentration and memory – sometimes called brain fog

• loss of interest in sex

• joint pains and muscle aches

• you may have thinning and weakening of the bones (osteoporosis) over time

• headaches and worsening migraines

• itching, irritation or dryness of your vulva or vagina

• vaginal pain or discomfort during sex

• vaginal bleeding after sex

• urinary problems such as needing to wee urgently, infection or incontinence

Fertility

Your fertility might also be affected and you may no longer be able to have children naturally. This loss of fertility can be upsetting even if you have a family or did not intend to have children.

Whether this happens to you depends on different factors. For example, your age and the cancer treatment you have had. Speak to your doctor if this is a concern for you.  They can explain how likely this is in your situation.

Some women who have experienced an early menopause can still get pregnant. So you may still need to use contraception.

Who can I talk to about my menopausal symptoms?

It can be hard to know whether your symptoms are due to your cancer and its treatment. Or whether they relate to the menopause. It might help to keep a diary or make a list of your symptoms. You can discuss these with your:

• cancer doctor
• clinical nurse specialist
• GP
• general practice nurse

You can ask your GP surgery if there is a GP that specialises in the menopause. In some situations, your GP may refer you to a specialist menopause clinic or a gynaecologist. 

Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and cancer

This information is for people who have cancer, or have had cancer. For people who don’t have cancer, and are looking for information about HRT visit our information:

Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) includes a range of medicines. They replace the hormones that your body used to produce naturally. They contain oestrogen, progesterone and, or testosterone. You have them as tablets, patches, gels or a spray. 

There are different types of HRT, your doctor can explain the options available to you. The main types that reach the whole body (systemic) are: 

• oestrogen only HRT

• combined HRT which includes oestrogen and progestogen

HRT can help to relieve symptoms of the menopause. And many women who have had cancer can take HRT. But doctors are more cautious in cancers that are simulated to grow by hormones. These are called hormone receptor positive or hormone dependent cancers.

Things that might help

There are a range of other treatments and things you can do to help cope with the effects of menopause. You may need to try different things before you find something that works for you. And you might find that a combination of things is better than one. 

We have information about ways to cope with symptoms such as: 

• hot flushes and sweats

• vaginal dryness and loss of interest in sex

• problems sleeping

• bone loss

Talking, time for yourself and getting support

It can be hard to come to terms with your diagnosis at the same time as having menopausal symptoms. It might help to talk to family and friends and share how your symptoms are making you feel with your family and friends. 

Try to make some time for yourself. Some people practice breathing or relaxation techniques, or mindfulness. And some people find counselling and support groups helpful. 

Work and menopausal symptoms

It might help to let someone in your workplace know if you are finding menopausal symptoms difficult. It makes sense to talk to your manager first, it might be useful if some of your colleagues know as well. This all depends on how comfortable you feel about sharing what you are going through. If possible, small adaptions to your work could help. For example, flexibility of your hours, positioning your desk near a window or nearer to the toilet.  

Information is available about menopause in the workplace. You can find resources on government, trade union and charity websites. 

Sharon's story

Sharon was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2016.

‘I’m still on medication… this causes early menopause that’s not been fun but coping well now.’