When is menopause management after cancer recommended for early menopause after cancer treatment?

Chemotherapy, hormone treatment, ovarian surgery or radiotherapy can alter ovarian function. Symptoms may begin during treatment or later and can include heat episodes, night sweats, fatigue, concentration changes, low mood, vaginal dryness, discomfort with sex and reduced sexual desire. The effect on bones, heart health, fertility and emotional wellbeing also deserves review.

Tell your oncology team which symptoms started, how they affect sleep or work, and whether periods changed. Ask for a survivorship or menopause assessment. Options may include non-hormonal medicines, pelvic or sexual health care, lifestyle measures and bone-health planning. Hormone therapy is not suitable for everyone after cancer, so the cancer type, recurrence risk and current medicines must be reviewed first.

Contact your care team for unexpected vaginal bleeding, severe pelvic pain, a new breast or chest symptom, persistent low mood, or thoughts of self-harm. Seek urgent help for chest pain, severe breathlessness or sudden weakness. New symptoms should be assessed rather than attributed automatically to menopause.

Could my symptoms be caused by treatment or another problem? Which hormonal and non-hormonal options are safe for my cancer history? How should my bones, fertility, sexual health and mood be monitored?