Menopause supplements after breast cancer

Hi HalloweenChristmas,

Thanks for getting in touch with us and welcome back to the online community.

I can see you have already joined a few of our forums. I hope you are finding these helpful and managing to get some support too.

I’m Lorna one of the cancer Information nurse specialists on the support line.

I’m sorry to hear that you have been struggling with the side effects from tamoxifen for breast cancer.
Some women can find these symptoms are manageable, but for others it can be difficult to cope with and effect their quality of life.

It’s important if you are considering taking any menopausal supplements that you discuss this first with your doctor or your breast cancer nurse.  

Plant oestrogens (phytoestrogens) can have a weak oestrogen-like effect on the body and may help improve menopause symptoms. But there is not enough evidence about how helpful or how safe they are. Doctors advise women with breast cancer not to take plant oestrogens such as black cohosh or red clover. This is because there is a concern, they may increase the risk of breast cancer coming back. Other supplements can include sage and evening primrose oil, but there is no real evidence that these work and they can be expensive.

You don’t mention how long you have been taking Tamoxifen. Your symptoms may settle down after a few months. Some women have found that changing the brand of Tamoxifen has helped their symptoms too.

I hope this was helpful but please know that you can call one of our nurses to discuss things further. I hope you get to that concert in New York soon and I imagine you are looking forward to it.

Take care and best wishes,

Lorna

You can also speak with the Macmillan Support Line team of experts. Phone free on 0808 808 0000 (7 days a week, 8am-8pm) or send us an email. 

Ref: KG