What happens before menopause management after cancer?

You may be asked about hot flushes, night sweats, sleep, mood, vaginal or urinary symptoms, sexual wellbeing, concentration and changes to your periods. Your clinician reviews the cancer type, treatments received, current medicines, family history and any concerns about bones or heart health.

This information helps separate menopause symptoms from other treatment effects and guides the choice between lifestyle measures, non-hormonal medicines, local treatments or hormone therapy. Hormone-sensitive cancers and some risk-reducing operations can affect which options are appropriate, so treatment is individualised.

Keep a record of symptoms, their timing and what makes them better or worse. Bring your oncology summary, medicine list and details of previous operations, including any removal of the ovaries and tubes. Tell the clinician whether symptoms affect sleep, work, relationships, exercise or comfort.

Ask how each option fits your cancer history, what benefit to expect, what side effects to watch for and when the plan will be reviewed. Do not stop cancer medicines or start supplements without discussing them with your oncology team.

Contact your cancer or gynaecology team promptly for unexpected vaginal bleeding after menopause, a new breast or pelvic symptom, severe mood changes, or symptoms that appear suddenly and strongly. Seek emergency care for chest pain, severe breathlessness, fainting or thoughts of harming yourself.

Could my cancer treatment be causing these symptoms? Which options are suitable with my cancer history? Do I need bone or other health checks? How will we review the treatment and manage symptoms that remain?