Four women share their experience of early menopause due to cancer treatment
When we say the word menopause, we often think of women between the ages of 45 and 55 – but this isn’t always the case. Some women may go through the early menopause, which occurs before the age of 45, while others may experience medically induced menopause as a result of cancer treatment.
And while we know that the menopause alone can be a whirlwind journey, experiencing this alongside cancer can understandably heighten both physical and emotional symptoms. There’s no right or wrong way to deal with cancer treatment-induced menopause, but we’re here to open up the conversation and get to know what it’s really like.
To shed light on the reality of living with cancer treatment-induced menopause, we spoke to four women who shared their experiences.
What is medically induced menopause?
The menopause is a natural stage of ageing, however some women may experience medically induced menopause due to treatment such as:
- Chemotherapy or radiotherapy
- Surgery to remove the ovaries
- Certain hormone medicines
The above treatments can cause early or temporary menopause, or side effects similar to menopausal symptoms. This is because the ovaries stop functioning before the menopause would normally occur, meaning there’s also a dramatic drop in both oestrogen and progesterone levels. This can cause a range of symptoms which can often feel more intense than non-medical menopause.
Today, we’re sharing the stories of four women who experienced cancer treatment-induced menopause.
The following stories are their personal experiences. If you’re struggling or affected by any of the medical conditions mentioned or are concerned about any symptoms, make sure to speak to your GP and seek medical help. While menopause symptoms may be challenging, it’s important to continue with your prescribed cancer treatments. Rest assured you can always speak to your medical team if you have any questions or concerns.
Meet Sarah, Emily, Angelina and Lou…
Sarah’s story
Sarah was diagnosed with oestrogen receptor positive breast cancer back in 2022 at the age of 42. She started on hormone therapy which caused the early menopause until she underwent surgery to remove her ovaries earlier this year.
While it’s not always a necessity to remove the ovaries, Sarah’s experience was a little different. “I have a genetic mutation that places me at increased risk of developing ovarian cancer,” she explains.
When the option for early menopause presented itself, Sarah’s gut instinct was to go ahead with it. “I knew that my breast cancer used hormones to grow so it made sense to me,” she says. “It felt like a logical step to stop my ovaries making oestrogen, either temporarily or permanently.”
But it’s not been without its challenges, “The loss of mental focus, difficulty sleeping and hot flushes have been the most difficult symptoms to cope with, they’ve had the greatest impact on my quality of life.”
When it comes to the emotional impact of the early menopause, Sarah opens up about how it’s affected her. “In some ways my early menopause has made me feel old for my years and slightly out of sync with my peers. It’s a such an individual experience that’s hard to put into words unless you’ve been through it yourself.”
Balancing both the menopause and her cancer diagnosis has been challenging for Sarah. “I was so preoccupied with my cancer treatment that I didn’t really have time to process or consider the impact my early menopause was having on my mental health and emotional wellbeing,” she explains. “Now I’m living beyond cancer I can recognise the negative impact it’s had on my mood and overall wellbeing.”
It’s no secret that the menopause can be a minefield, especially for someone who’s not had much time to process it. Sarah’s advice? “I had regular appointments with my oncologist, and we would often try and pinpoint which of my symptoms were due to my ongoing cancer treatment and which were menopause related.”
So how do things look for Sarah now? “I changed my diet – I now eat a Mediterranean and plant-based diet with limited caffeine and no alcohol, and I increased my exercise. I enjoy running, dancing and doing Pilates, and I’ve also started strength training to protect my bones – these have both been helpful in managing my symptoms.”
Emily’s story
When Emily was diagnosed with breast cancer with a low hormone receptor aged 33, she experienced cancer treatment-induced menopause.
“I think when you get a diagnosis, there's already so much scary stuff to consider and you're fighting for your life, menopause kind of takes a back seat.”
But she had no idea the effect it could have on her bone and heart health initially. “Luckily, I’ve escaped the dreaded hot flushes so far (touch wood) but I’ve suffered with severe joint pain, especially in my fingers.” She goes on to explain how this impacts her daily life as an illustrator and tattoo artist, “This is especially tough as I use my hands for my job. I also get woken up in the night with numb fingers and tingling which is uncomfortable.”
Emotionally, this big life change has been much more than the menopause and cancer. “It’s sad to know the choice to have more children has been taken away from me at 33, which is something I never thought would happen.
“Anxiety has also been a very big challenge. I’ve never experienced anxiety to this extent.”
When it comes to the side effects of cancer treatment, Emily shares her experience, “I put my hair loss, eyebrow and lash loss, weight gain and bad skin down to chemotherapy, not the menopause. So in a way, it felt as though the menopause was just another side effect.”
But coming to terms with the changes post-treatment can be a tough pill to swallow. “I have a new body, no hair, no boobs, no periods, no appetite. Things taste different, feel different and my mind has forever changed. Menopause means I'm less eloquent and less confident than I've ever been in my life, which is hard mentally and emotionally.”
Finding a silver lining in all of this, Emily says, “The lack of periods meant I didn't have to factor in period pain or hormone swings due to regular menstrual cycles.”
One thing that got Emily through this challenging time was her passion for finding other women in her position. “I've made some really lovely friends this way,” she says. “And earlier this summer I created a WhatsApp group and I even hosted an in-person meet-up so everyone could chat, support each other and share tips.”
Angelina’s story
From her initial diagnosis in November and her surgery in December to entering the early menopause in January 2022, Angelina tells us how quick everything happened. “It’s been a very rapid change that I’m still coming to terms with now. My oncologist referred to me as a ‘ticking time bomb’ and that it was lucky that we had found it in time.”
Unlike most women, Angelina experienced cancer treatment-induced menopause at just 26. “All I was told was I wouldn’t have my period anymore – I wasn’t told that I would be left with debilitating bone pain, joint pain, hot flushes. That my skin and hair would change. I didn’t have guidance around what food I could eat or what vitamins I could take – it was an absolute minefield. But the thought of going back to your oncologist with questions on menopause seems silly, so I was left to work it out myself.”
Once Angelina received her diagnosis, she was told her fertility would be affected, and while most people are given the option of fertility treatment, this sadly wasn’t the case for Angelina.
“I was advised against it due to the aggression of my cancer. For me that was a huge moment because my choice was taken away from me. I will never know what it is like to carry a child or to be a mother. Being told this at the age of 26, as well as being diagnosed with cancer was just horrific.”
Angelina noticed a difference with how she was being treated due to her age. “I wasn’t given any help to come to terms with not having a period anymore, not feeling like a young woman. And this made me feel alienated from the menopause community,” she explains. “I find this a lot now when I give advice around menopause due to my age too.”
Lou’s story
For Lou, her cancer diagnosis came very quickly, but it wasn’t until post-treatment that the idea of going through the early menopause sunk in. “I never really had time to think about the after effects of the treatment, I was just so focused on getting through it,” she says. “It was just another thing to deal with after cancer.”
Luckily for Lou, she mentally prepared for what the early menopause may look like for her. “The loss of fertility that accompanies the early menopause is something that I tackled very early head on, and so post cancer treatment I’d sort of got my head around that already.”
But when it comes to the daily struggles of the early menopause while navigating cancer treatment, Lou explains how “One of the hardest things I found was how to work out which side effect is from treatment and which is due to the menopause.”
One thing Lou did notice was how fast her symptoms appeared. “There’s no easing into it – the early menopause hit me a lot quicker than those who go through it naturally!"
“Physically I consider myself quite lucky as other than hot flushes and brain fog, I’ve not had too many menopause symptoms. I think emotionally, certainly in the early days I felt quite ‘old’ and that’s quite tough, especially as I still think I’m 24!"
“Looking back now, I wish I’d been more aware of things that are available to help alleviate menopause symptoms – I had no idea that most of it even existed!”
Fast forward to today, Lou is having therapy twice a month. “It’s been a real help and I often feel like a weight has been lifted after my sessions. I’ve learned to take each day as it comes and listen to my body.”
Top tips, advice & coping mechanisms
As well as sharing their stories, Sarah, Lou, Emily and Angelina offered some advice and top tips for what helped them navigate this challenging time. It’s worth noting that these are recommendations of others’ personal experiences, and what works for some may not work for others. Our advice? Be open minded, try as many methods as possible and see what works best for you.
Coping mechanisms
When it comes to coping mechanisms, they each had their own methods which they found most beneficial.
“For me, writing things down and keeping a physical diary of things was really useful for my memory loss. But it’s really important to take time for yourself, listen to your body and seek help if you need it, it’s out there.” – Emily
“Try not to put too much pressure on yourself to solve it all at once. There’s a lot going on during and after cancer treatment so try to give yourself time to process it, and then to learn how to make things better.” – Lou
“I’ve found that the Look Good and Feel Better classes at Boots have helped a lot with my confidence.” – Angelina
“I’d definitely recommend asking as many questions as possible to ensure you feel confident and informed about your decision.” – Sarah
Managing symptoms
The symptoms for cancer treatment-induced menopause will all vary from person to person, but here’s what worked for Lou and Sarah.
“For hot flushes I absolutely love the Menopause & Me cooling packs and neck fan, they’re a total game changer. I also really like holistic treatments – I have regular reiki and acupuncture and that really helps with my energy levels and aches and pains.” – Lou
Also an advocate for acupuncture is Sarah, “I’ve found acupuncture and CBT (cognitive behavioural therapy) most effective in helping to manage my hot flushes while breathwork and aromatherapy help me to sleep.”
Support groups & resources
If you’re on the hunt for support groups, communities or books to help yourself or a loved one through this time, there are a handful of recommended resources out there.
“I would recommend Shine groups for young women being diagnosed with cancer as well as a BRCA group chat for anyone who's been told they have a genetic mutation such as BRCA1 or BRCA2.” – Emily
“I’m very glad I found the ‘Menopause and Cancer’ and ‘Younger Women’s’ group on social media as they’re both an amazing source of peer support and information.” – Sarah
Sarah also recommends:
- The Menopause and Cancer podcast and Facebook group
- Maggie’s Centre, which provides holistic support for women living with and beyond cancer
- Surgical Menopause book by Helen Kemp
- The Complete Guide to POI and Early Menopause book by Dr Hannah Short and Mandy Leonhardt
For more advice, visit our Early Menopause Health Hub and our Cancer Hub. You can also find additional support and resources on Macmillan’s website.
Remember, everyone’s journey is individual to them and you’re certainly not alone in yours. Help is out there, and rest assured that there is light at the end of the tunnel.
