Menopause Q&A with expert cancer support specialists

Ali Clarke and Issy Ryan are cancer support specialists who lead the menopause workshop at Maggie's, Edinburgh.

Here, they answer some of the most commonly asked questions about cancer and menopause.

What is cancer treatment-induced menopause?

Ali: Cancer treatment-induced menopause is an abrupt, immediate menopause caused by certain treatments to certain cancers.

Periods stop, ovulation stops, and hormone production is reduced or stopped.

Issy: The cancer treatment-induced menopause is not a natural process, so it can be experienced quite differently from the natural menopause.

The oncologist deliberately suppresses, blocks or depletes oestrogen levels to give the best possible treatment to the cancers that are receptive to oestrogen.

What cancers can lead to treatment-induced menopause?

Ali: Any type of cancer where toxic chemotherapy is given can lead to a treatment-induced menopause.

That could be a haematological cancer, gynaecological cancer or breast cancer.

Essentially, any cancer treatment that dials down oestrogen function or damages the ovaries can cause treatment-induced menopause.

Will treatment-induced menopause affect my weight?

Issy: We need to keep in mind that everyone’s experience of menopause is unique.

Weight change is a common side effect of the menopause, and we have many people come to Maggie’s to discuss that symptom.

Ali: Oestrogen plays a part in controlling our metabolic rate and helping us to burn fat. When oestrogen levels are lower, our metabolic rate slows down and we burn less fat.

Issy: The distribution of our fat stores also changes in the menopause.

Our weight is often stored quite evenly around the body before menopause across our thighs, our hips, our buttocks, our tummy and our arms. We find that in the menopause, the fat stores accumulate around the tummy area.

Is joint pain a symptom of treatment-induced menopause?

Issy: Yes, joint point can be a symptom of treatment-induced menopause.

Oestrogen plays a really important role in keeping our joints well lubricated, reducing inflammation, and keeping our bones strong and healthy.

What can be done about joint pain?

Issy: Consider hormone replacement therapy (HRT) by having a discussion with your GP or your oncologist about this.

Ali: Discuss pain management with your GP or oncologist.

Issy: Consider taking up weight-bearing exercise, such as walking or doing Pilates or yoga.

Ali: Moving and stretching at regular intervals can help.

Issy: And a diet that’s rich in calcium and vitamins.

Come into Maggie’s and we can offer you practical advice and support around managing your joint pain.

How can I manage treatment-induced menopause?

Issy: A lot can be done to optimise health and wellbeing during the menopause.

Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is one of the treatments that can be given to help manage treatment-induced menopause, depending on the type of cancer that you have.

For many people, HRT isn’t an option, but fortunately there are lots of other options that can be discussed with your GP, your oncologist, or the specialist menopause clinic.

Ali: Other treatments include cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), relaxation, meditation, and use of vaginal moisturisers and lubricants.

Issy: We’d also want to encourage you to think about movement and physical activity.

How Maggie's can help

We run 'Menopause and cancer' courses, either in our centres or online, to give support and practical advice on all aspects of treatment-induced menopause.

Maggie’s menopause workshops or individual support are available through all 24 UK centres and have already helped countless people.

To find out more about Maggie’s free 'Menopause and cancer' workshops, you can:

• contact your nearest Maggie's centre
• email us at enquiries@maggies.org
• call us on 0300 123 1801

Our contact hours are 9–5, Monday to Friday.

You can also find more information about menopause and cancer here.

Last review: Sep 2024 | Next review: Sep 2027