If your ovaries have been damaged by radiation therapy or chemotherapy, or they’ve been surgically removed, your body will no longer produce the hormones oestrogen and progesterone. When this happens, periods stop. This is called menopause. Menopause is a natural and gradual process that usually starts between the ages of 45 and 55.
Learn more about:
Symptoms of menopause
The symptoms of menopause caused by cancer treatment are usually more severe than during a natural menopause because the body hasn’t had time to adjust to a gradual decrease in the hormone levels. Symptoms can include hot flushes, mood swings, trouble sleeping (insomnia), tiredness and vaginal dryness.
Menopause may cause other changes in the body over time, such as:
- low libido – you may be less interested in sex
- osteoporosis – this is when your bones become weak and brittle and may break more easily
- high cholesterol – cholesterol is a fatty substance found in the blood; having high levels can increase your risk of heart disease and stroke.
Menopausal hormone therapy (MHT), previously known as hormone replacement therapy (HRT), is medicine that replaces the hormones usually produced by the ovaries. It has been shown to treat menopause symptoms and help prevent osteoporosis. There are also non-hormonal drugs that can help. Talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of MHT, and other ways to deal with the symptoms of menopause.
How to manage menopause symptoms
- Talk to your doctor about having a bone density test or taking medicines to prevent osteoporosis. Regular exercise can help keep your bones strong. Call 1800 242 141 or visit Healthy Bones Australia for information.
- Ask your doctor to check your cholesterol levels. If levels are high, regular exercise and a balanced diet may help reduce them. If levels don’t improve, talk to your doctor about cholesterol-lowering drugs.
- Your doctor can suggest dietary changes and suitable exercises.
- If you smoke, talk to your doctor about quitting or call the Quitline on 13 7848.
- Try meditation and relaxation techniques to help reduce stress and lessen symptoms. Listen to our Finding Calm During Cancer podcast below.
- If you have ongoing symptoms, ask your doctor for a referral to a specialist menopause clinic.
→ READ MORE: Life after treatment for cervical cancer
Meditation and relaxation podcast
Listen to more of our meditation and relaxation podcast
More resources
Prof Martin Oehler, Director of Gynaecological Oncology, Royal Adelaide Hospital, and Clinical Professor, University of Adelaide, SA; Dawn Bedwell, 13 11 20 Consultant, Cancer Council QLD; Gemma Busuttil, Radiation Therapist, Crown Princess Mary Cancer Centre, Westmead Hospital, NSW; Dr Antonia Jones, Gynaecological Oncologist, The Royal Women’s Hospital and Mercy Hospital for Women, VIC; Angela Keating, Senior Psychologist, Royal Hospital for Women, NSW; Anne Mellon, Clinical Nurse Consultant – Gynaecological Oncology, Hunter New England Centre for Gynaecological Cancer, NSW; Dr Inger Olesen, Medical Oncologist, Andrew Love Cancer Centre, Barwon Health, Geelong, VIC; Dr Serena Sia, Radiation Oncologist, Fiona Stanley Hospital and King Edward Memorial Hospital, WA; A/Prof Megan Smith, Co-lead, Cervical Cancer and HPV Stream, The Daffodil Centre, Cancer Council NSW and The University of Sydney, NSW; Emily Stevens, Gynaecology Oncology Nurse Coordinator, Southern Adelaide Local Health Network, Flinders Medical Centre, SA; Melissa Whalen, Consumer.
View the Cancer Council NSW editorial policy.
