What should you know about medically induced menopause?

Some cancer treatments, surgery, or medicines can stop ovulation and lower oestrogen. Periods may stop, and symptoms can include hot flushes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, sleep disruption, mood changes, and reduced sexual desire. The timing and duration depend on the treatment, your age, and whether ovarian function returns after treatment ends. This is different from natural menopause because the change may happen more abruptly and may be part of treating another condition.

Symptoms can affect comfort, sleep, relationships, bone health, and everyday concentration. Menopause itself is not an emergency, but new or severe symptoms deserve a review because some may have another cause.

Keep a record of symptoms, treatment dates, bleeding, sleep, and mood so your clinician can see patterns. Cooling layers, regular movement, pelvic floor exercises, vaginal moisturiser, and lubricant may help particular symptoms. Your clinician may discuss hormone treatment, non-hormonal medicines, or local treatments, depending on why menopause was induced and your personal risks. Do not start supplements or hormones without checking first, especially during cancer treatment. Protect bone health with suitable activity, nutrition, and any monitoring your care team recommends.

Contact your treatment team promptly for heavy or unexpected bleeding, severe pelvic pain, chest pain, breathlessness, one-sided leg swelling, or a sudden severe headache. Seek urgent help for fainting, new weakness, confusion, or thoughts of harming yourself. Arrange a routine review if flushes disturb sleep, vaginal symptoms cause pain, mood changes persist, or symptoms interfere with treatment or daily life.

Ask which treatment caused the hormone change, whether it is expected to be temporary, and which symptom treatments are compatible with your care. You can also ask about bone health, sexual comfort, contraception, fertility preservation, and the symptoms that should trigger an urgent call.