Did you know that October is Menopause Awareness Month?
At Macmillan we know that menopause can bring a range of physical and emotional changes. For people affected by cancer, treatment and surgery can sometimes cause menopause to start earlier or make symptoms more difficult to manage.
Many people experience hot flushes, night sweats, sleep problems, changes in mood, vaginal dryness or changes to their sex life. You may also have questions about treatment options and what support is available.
There’s no one-size-fits-all approach, and what works for one person may not work for another. But sharing experiences can help others feel less alone and give people the support and encouragement when they need it most.
We’d love to hear from you. Below are some questions to get started but feel free to share what you wish about your experience of cancer and menopause.
You can also read more about menopause and cancer on the Macmillan website and on this page about Menopause Awareness Month. They include information about symptoms, treatments and getting support.
And for more support on the online community have a look at these blogs from our community members:
Renita’s Story: Breast Cancer, Treatment (including hormone therapy) and Induced Therapy
Sunita’s Story: Ovarian Cancer, Chemotherapy and Post-surgical Menopause
Emma (she/her)
Online Community Team
I initially went through the menopause at 39, after my hysterectomy. At the time I had HRT but when my sarcoma returned the HRT stopped and I started hormone therapy aromatase inhibitor, letrozole and zoledex. For ladies on hormone therapy the menopause symptoms do not stop! For me, my treatment is life long.
I lost myself. The brain fog is horrendous. I get half way through a sentence and I just cannot think of a word, a name, a place! It is embarrassing, along with being bright red in the face and sweating from the hot flushes, my confidence was affected.
The weight gain was instant. All around my muddle. No matter what diet I try I cannot lose it from my tummy! I also suffer terribly with aching joints. It started with my legs and hips. I now have osteopenia from the lack of estrogen and suffer with Symphysis pubis dysfunction. The lack of hormones have caused my pelvic area to weaken and my public bone to separate. This is so painful and has made walking difficult.
And let’s talk about dryness! Everything is dry. Not just down there, I use a product called Yes for that, which is hormone free. They have water based and oil based. The water based is available on prescription, but I was allergic to that so I have to purchase the oil based one. But everything is dry! my eyes, my nose, my skin, I have so many lotions and potions.
I would be interested to hear what other ladies have tried.
